This interactive poem could speak for us all. We all left something in Nicaragua, as we all gained so much to bring home with us, and to share...
PROYECTO FINAL - "No he llegado todavía"
Click on the link above to read the poem on our WIKI.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Happiness
La Felicidad
La Felicidad y La Felicitá
Ambos significan lo mismo
Pero la idea no puede ser traducida.
Porque la felicidad para El Nicaragüense
Y la felicitá para El Italiano
Son diferentes.
La felicidad, para mí
Es lo que yo vi.
La Felicidad
Es una corazón
lleno de amor
Que encontré en La Playa del Flor
Y la pulsación de las olas
Que repitían por horas.
La felicidad
Es tener solamente la luz de la Luna
Y la radio apagada.
Es no tener que esperar
El teléfono que va a sonar.
La felicidad
Es un rayo del sol
más caliente de lo que debería ser
Es el color y es el olor embriagante del mar.
La felicidad
Es la salida del sol
Aún más la puesta del sol
Que yo vi cada día
en Ometepe
La felicidad
Es la tradición de sentarse en la mecedora
Por lo menos una hora
Es estar lejos de casa
Pero sentirse como
Estar en casa
Es el amor que yo he recibido.
Yo he visto la felicidad
En los ojos inocentes de cada niño
En los sueños que cada uno me contó
La felicidad
Es la gente y su cariño,
Puede existir en la tierra y en el agua
La felicidad es todo de Nicaragua.
La Felicidad y La Felicitá
Ambos significan lo mismo
Pero la idea no puede ser traducida.
Porque la felicidad para El Nicaragüense
Y la felicitá para El Italiano
Son diferentes.
La felicidad, para mí
Es lo que yo vi.
La Felicidad
Es una corazón
lleno de amor
Que encontré en La Playa del Flor
Y la pulsación de las olas
Que repitían por horas.
La felicidad
Es tener solamente la luz de la Luna
Y la radio apagada.
Es no tener que esperar
El teléfono que va a sonar.
La felicidad
Es un rayo del sol
más caliente de lo que debería ser
Es el color y es el olor embriagante del mar.
La felicidad
Es la salida del sol
Aún más la puesta del sol
Que yo vi cada día
en Ometepe
La felicidad
Es la tradición de sentarse en la mecedora
Por lo menos una hora
Es estar lejos de casa
Pero sentirse como
Estar en casa
Es el amor que yo he recibido.
Yo he visto la felicidad
En los ojos inocentes de cada niño
En los sueños que cada uno me contó
La felicidad
Es la gente y su cariño,
Puede existir en la tierra y en el agua
La felicidad es todo de Nicaragua.
Happiness
La Felicidad
Debo admitir que nunca hubiera esperado encontrarla allí en las calles de Nicaragua.
No puede ser.
No tenían los lujos necesarios para alimentarla. Sin olvidar algunos de los insumos esenciales para la vida.
No podrían tenerla porque no tienen lo que tenemos y están conscientes de eso.
Pero lo eran.
Y lo son.
Contentos.
No era la felicidad.
Había risa.
En este país en vías de desarrollo no me he encontrado a mí misma en el sentido triste y sombrío que yo esperaba.
Los valores de la familia, la religión y el amor. Sin teléfonos celulares, automóviles y cheques de pago.
Ellos saben lo que es importante en la vida.
Nosotros en el norte podemos poseer lo material, pero ellos conocen
la fuente verdadera de la felicidad.
Debo admitir que nunca hubiera esperado encontrarla allí en las calles de Nicaragua.
No puede ser.
No tenían los lujos necesarios para alimentarla. Sin olvidar algunos de los insumos esenciales para la vida.
No podrían tenerla porque no tienen lo que tenemos y están conscientes de eso.
Pero lo eran.
Y lo son.
Contentos.
No era la felicidad.
Había risa.
En este país en vías de desarrollo no me he encontrado a mí misma en el sentido triste y sombrío que yo esperaba.
Los valores de la familia, la religión y el amor. Sin teléfonos celulares, automóviles y cheques de pago.
Ellos saben lo que es importante en la vida.
Nosotros en el norte podemos poseer lo material, pero ellos conocen
la fuente verdadera de la felicidad.
ABC Nicaragua
Abecedario de la cultura nicaragüense
PARTE 1 (A-M)
PARTE 2 (N-Z)
These are large .pdf documents. You will need some patience to open them, but they are well worth the wait for the images!
PARTE 1 (A-M)
PARTE 2 (N-Z)
These are large .pdf documents. You will need some patience to open them, but they are well worth the wait for the images!
Cuento: "El viaje de las tortugas"
Cuento para los niños de la escuela "La Epifanía" y el arte de uno de ellos...
EL VIAJE DE LAS TORTUGAS
¡Saludos!
EL VIAJE DE LAS TORTUGAS
¡Saludos!
Poema a los 10 Milagros
10 Milagros
Los milagros en este mundo existen,
pero a veces no los creemos,
no los vemos,
no los observamos
pero yo los viví.
Diez milagros que hace que uno
sienta la alegría,
Dolor,
Historia,
Conciencia,
Amor
Vida.
Cada milagro les ayuda a cualquiera,
conseguir riqueza en forma de belleza.
Felicidad, una sonrisa que vive
sobre la cara de un chico joven,
apreciando la fortuna que tiene pero
con la esperanza de un mundo mejor.
Su Libertad lo deja conseguir las estrellas,
dándole la oportunidad de crecer como hombre.
Libertad que coexiste en los humanos,
besándonos en la frente y dándonos seguridad.
Generosidad, como el sol en el cielo,
nos da la oportunidad de brillar,
compartir la preciosidad de la naturaleza,
y absorbar lo que es la creación de Dios.
Desarrollo la mente en el universo de la realidad,
un mundo que solo existe en los libros de historia,
pero cómo puede ser que yo lo viví?
Mis ojos curiosean,
tratando de entender lo que es esta realidad.
Tradiciones que fluyen por el aire de Nicaragua,
Bailan con dedicación y cariño,
Cantan su canción para capturar los oídos,
Cocinan con fuerza y expresión.
Formas tan preciosas,
que ni el ojo de un artista lo puede detener
en su obra de arte.
Dignidad, puede aparecer en su mundo
Como una barrera firme
con una existencia dura,
pero el milagro de poder sobrevivirlo
hace que los nicaragüenses alcancen la gloria.
Igualdad, existe en forma de nube,
lo podemos ver de color blanco,
o de nube negra llena de lluvia que
puede cubrir el sol y su esplendor
que quiere repartir.
Ser iguales y ser los mismos
No es la misma cosa,
Pero ser familia en Nicaragua,
siempre es la aclaración de tener igualdad.
Prejuicios, una palabra hecha de diez letras,
que obtiene un poder que puede destruir la mente
de un humano si se usa como arma.
Una espada filosa que puede proteger,
Pero puede darle una puñalada al corazón.
Democracia, una oportunidad de ser igual con su voz.
Un momento en el cual podemos destacar nuestras ideas
sin ser juzgados.
La idea de cantar nuestra canción,
en la forma que la compusimos.
Un canto que agarrar la atención de los luchadores,
para seguir la pelea que estuvieron luchando hace años.
Respeto, un árbol que crece de hace siglos,
Un viejo con la inteligencia del mundo,
Una madre que trata de encontrar paz en su vida,
Un niño con la mente listo para aprender.
Una forma de vida,
que es un milagro de conseguir.
Es una fruta descubierta
la cual podemos comer y saborear
y cuando no llega al estomago no llena de alegría
porque sabemos que tenemos que compartirlo,
con el mundo.
Milagros no se ven todo los días,
No porque no existen,
Sino porque los ignoramos.
Cierre sus ojos,
Respira el aire fresco,
Aprende de su ambiente.
Allí están los milgagros.
Dale la oportunidad de poder cambiar su vida.
Y le doy gracias a las personas de Nicaragua,
que al poner pie en un país extraña,
era la gringa de los EEUU,
con mucho lugar en mi mente,
para crecer y entender el mundo.
Pero al irme ya no era más gringa.
Era una flor nueva que por primera vez,
estaba abriéndome al mundo que me esperaba.
Los milagros en este mundo existen,
pero a veces no los creemos,
no los vemos,
no los observamos
pero yo los viví.
Diez milagros que hace que uno
sienta la alegría,
Dolor,
Historia,
Conciencia,
Amor
Vida.
Cada milagro les ayuda a cualquiera,
conseguir riqueza en forma de belleza.
Felicidad, una sonrisa que vive
sobre la cara de un chico joven,
apreciando la fortuna que tiene pero
con la esperanza de un mundo mejor.
Su Libertad lo deja conseguir las estrellas,
dándole la oportunidad de crecer como hombre.
Libertad que coexiste en los humanos,
besándonos en la frente y dándonos seguridad.
Generosidad, como el sol en el cielo,
nos da la oportunidad de brillar,
compartir la preciosidad de la naturaleza,
y absorbar lo que es la creación de Dios.
Desarrollo la mente en el universo de la realidad,
un mundo que solo existe en los libros de historia,
pero cómo puede ser que yo lo viví?
Mis ojos curiosean,
tratando de entender lo que es esta realidad.
Tradiciones que fluyen por el aire de Nicaragua,
Bailan con dedicación y cariño,
Cantan su canción para capturar los oídos,
Cocinan con fuerza y expresión.
Formas tan preciosas,
que ni el ojo de un artista lo puede detener
en su obra de arte.
Dignidad, puede aparecer en su mundo
Como una barrera firme
con una existencia dura,
pero el milagro de poder sobrevivirlo
hace que los nicaragüenses alcancen la gloria.
Igualdad, existe en forma de nube,
lo podemos ver de color blanco,
o de nube negra llena de lluvia que
puede cubrir el sol y su esplendor
que quiere repartir.
Ser iguales y ser los mismos
No es la misma cosa,
Pero ser familia en Nicaragua,
siempre es la aclaración de tener igualdad.
Prejuicios, una palabra hecha de diez letras,
que obtiene un poder que puede destruir la mente
de un humano si se usa como arma.
Una espada filosa que puede proteger,
Pero puede darle una puñalada al corazón.
Democracia, una oportunidad de ser igual con su voz.
Un momento en el cual podemos destacar nuestras ideas
sin ser juzgados.
La idea de cantar nuestra canción,
en la forma que la compusimos.
Un canto que agarrar la atención de los luchadores,
para seguir la pelea que estuvieron luchando hace años.
Respeto, un árbol que crece de hace siglos,
Un viejo con la inteligencia del mundo,
Una madre que trata de encontrar paz en su vida,
Un niño con la mente listo para aprender.
Una forma de vida,
que es un milagro de conseguir.
Es una fruta descubierta
la cual podemos comer y saborear
y cuando no llega al estomago no llena de alegría
porque sabemos que tenemos que compartirlo,
con el mundo.
Milagros no se ven todo los días,
No porque no existen,
Sino porque los ignoramos.
Cierre sus ojos,
Respira el aire fresco,
Aprende de su ambiente.
Allí están los milgagros.
Dale la oportunidad de poder cambiar su vida.
Y le doy gracias a las personas de Nicaragua,
que al poner pie en un país extraña,
era la gringa de los EEUU,
con mucho lugar en mi mente,
para crecer y entender el mundo.
Pero al irme ya no era más gringa.
Era una flor nueva que por primera vez,
estaba abriéndome al mundo que me esperaba.
Poema a la educación
Son las siete de la mañana, hora de bañarse
A lustrar sus zapatos, para poder educarse
Ya llega a la escuela, saca su cuaderno
Raulito no vino, será que está enfermo
“Dígame profe, lo que aprenderemos hoy día”, pregunta el niño Fran
“Matemáticas, lengua y cívica” respondió la profesora con una sonrisa que los niños continuarán
Fue de ahí que Giordi dijo “Profe, no entiendo”
Y la profesora contesta “Anda y pregúntale a Andrés, que él es el experto”
“Es por eso que el cubo tiene seis lados” le dijo el grande al chiquito
Y lleno de alegría, el niño comenzó a practicarlo en su cuadernito
Fue así que los días pasaron, y los niños jugaron
A pesar que así fue que al chico alto lo lastimaron
Y cojeando iba y venía este chico extranjero
Para que cada día con ellos, no sea un desespero
Sino una experiencia única que ninguno de los personajes de este cuento
Borrara de su espejo retrovisor.
A lustrar sus zapatos, para poder educarse
Ya llega a la escuela, saca su cuaderno
Raulito no vino, será que está enfermo
“Dígame profe, lo que aprenderemos hoy día”, pregunta el niño Fran
“Matemáticas, lengua y cívica” respondió la profesora con una sonrisa que los niños continuarán
Fue de ahí que Giordi dijo “Profe, no entiendo”
Y la profesora contesta “Anda y pregúntale a Andrés, que él es el experto”
“Es por eso que el cubo tiene seis lados” le dijo el grande al chiquito
Y lleno de alegría, el niño comenzó a practicarlo en su cuadernito
Fue así que los días pasaron, y los niños jugaron
A pesar que así fue que al chico alto lo lastimaron
Y cojeando iba y venía este chico extranjero
Para que cada día con ellos, no sea un desespero
Sino una experiencia única que ninguno de los personajes de este cuento
Borrara de su espejo retrovisor.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Inspired Song
A reflection of From the Balcony of the Ruben Dario Popular Theater
by Raul Gavarrete.
The national anthem of Nicaragua birthed dreams of a familiar land, echoing on the walls of the theater. Desires of a new life and improved way of being became real through this national song.
The heart of the listener began to sing along with the song.
It was a new song. A song of change a song of development of a loved land.
The rich history of Nicaragua is appreciated as memories of the struggle push hope towards the future.
Change has happened through bloodshed and tears.
Transformation of rubble into beautiful parks. Small, smelly spaces in to luscious gardens.
Here is the change…there’s even more to be seen.
The greatest aspirations are for the children for their safety, time enjoyed, and discoveries
revealed. They must grow to perpetuate the change.
Sweet sounds of loving whispers. Honest declarations of commitment and
peace, embrace the community of improvements.
The inhabitants of the city maintain the beauty and are happily responsible for its upkeep.
Those less fortunate gain the basic amenities of life.
The listener can see beyond the present conditions of home.
The rich spirit of survival creates an undeniable love for this incredible country.
The National Anthem of Nicaragua is the backdrop for the dreams of a visionary.
by Raul Gavarrete.
The national anthem of Nicaragua birthed dreams of a familiar land, echoing on the walls of the theater. Desires of a new life and improved way of being became real through this national song.
The heart of the listener began to sing along with the song.
It was a new song. A song of change a song of development of a loved land.
The rich history of Nicaragua is appreciated as memories of the struggle push hope towards the future.
Change has happened through bloodshed and tears.
Transformation of rubble into beautiful parks. Small, smelly spaces in to luscious gardens.
Here is the change…there’s even more to be seen.
The greatest aspirations are for the children for their safety, time enjoyed, and discoveries
revealed. They must grow to perpetuate the change.
Sweet sounds of loving whispers. Honest declarations of commitment and
peace, embrace the community of improvements.
The inhabitants of the city maintain the beauty and are happily responsible for its upkeep.
Those less fortunate gain the basic amenities of life.
The listener can see beyond the present conditions of home.
The rich spirit of survival creates an undeniable love for this incredible country.
The National Anthem of Nicaragua is the backdrop for the dreams of a visionary.
Prejuicios
¿Qué ves cuando me miras?
¿Puedes ver la historia, el dolor, las lágrimas?
¿Puedes ver la sangre perdida, los corazones rotos?
¿Qué ves cuando me miras?
¿Puedes ver mi fuerza, mi determinación?
¿Puedes ver el espíritu que nació en mí de mis abuelas?
Debes saber que sé andar con la cabeza en alto y los brazos abiertos.
¿Qué ves quando me miras?
¿Ves mi ropa que no se compró en un boutique?
Mi madre la hizo y los productos hechos a mano son mejores.
Mi camisa tiene colores de la tierra rica de inspiración.
¿Qué ves cuando me miras?
¿Puedes ver el espejo que enseña tu vida?
Tu vida llena de cosas pero vacía de honor y de valor
¿Dónde está tu cultura que te hace quien eres?
¿Qué ves cuando me miras?
¿Dices, “Aaa pobrecita. Ella es ignorante y no puede mejorar.”?
¿Piensas que no puedo ser presidente?
¿Quién será el juez?
No sabes que ni yo sé todo lo que puedo alcanzar
¿Qué ves cuando me miras?
¡No sabes quién soy!
Yo soy el ritmo de los DRUMS, la luz del sol.
¿Qué ves cuando me miras?
¡No sabes que después de mi trabajo diario estudio por horas aprendiendo otros idomas y leyes internacionales. Mientras mis hermanos están durmiendo soñando con dulces y con partidos de béisbol, estoy practicando mis matemáticas para saber cómo se usa el dinero después de EARN IT. Yo sé que yo puedo hacer todo con mi vida porque tengo mi fe y el poder de trabajar duro. Soy inteligente, fuerte y bella adentro y afuera.
¿Qué ves cuando me miras? ¿Qué ves cuando te miras a ti mismo?
¿Puedes ver la historia, el dolor, las lágrimas?
¿Puedes ver la sangre perdida, los corazones rotos?
¿Qué ves cuando me miras?
¿Puedes ver mi fuerza, mi determinación?
¿Puedes ver el espíritu que nació en mí de mis abuelas?
Debes saber que sé andar con la cabeza en alto y los brazos abiertos.
¿Qué ves quando me miras?
¿Ves mi ropa que no se compró en un boutique?
Mi madre la hizo y los productos hechos a mano son mejores.
Mi camisa tiene colores de la tierra rica de inspiración.
¿Qué ves cuando me miras?
¿Puedes ver el espejo que enseña tu vida?
Tu vida llena de cosas pero vacía de honor y de valor
¿Dónde está tu cultura que te hace quien eres?
¿Qué ves cuando me miras?
¿Dices, “Aaa pobrecita. Ella es ignorante y no puede mejorar.”?
¿Piensas que no puedo ser presidente?
¿Quién será el juez?
No sabes que ni yo sé todo lo que puedo alcanzar
¿Qué ves cuando me miras?
¡No sabes quién soy!
Yo soy el ritmo de los DRUMS, la luz del sol.
¿Qué ves cuando me miras?
¡No sabes que después de mi trabajo diario estudio por horas aprendiendo otros idomas y leyes internacionales. Mientras mis hermanos están durmiendo soñando con dulces y con partidos de béisbol, estoy practicando mis matemáticas para saber cómo se usa el dinero después de EARN IT. Yo sé que yo puedo hacer todo con mi vida porque tengo mi fe y el poder de trabajar duro. Soy inteligente, fuerte y bella adentro y afuera.
¿Qué ves cuando me miras? ¿Qué ves cuando te miras a ti mismo?
La Tradición
Each person has their own idea of what tradition means to them. Tradition may be cultural; religious, and political, and may also exist within families. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, the definition for tradition is as follows:
1 a: An inherited, established, or customary pattern of thought, action, or behavior (as a religious practice or a social custom). b: a belief or story or a body of beliefs or stories relating to the past that are commonly accepted as historical though not verifiable. 2: the handing down of information, beliefs, and customs by word of mouth or by example from one generation to another without written instruction. 3: cultural continuity in social attitudes, customs, and institutions. 4: characteristic manner, method, or style.
On Tuesday, August 18th; some of us had the opportunity to watch a documentary at Casa Angel. The title of the documentary is “De Niña a Madre”. If translated word for word, it would be called from girl to mother. However the production company’s website has it translated as “From Girls to Mothers.” The film won the following awards: UNICEF Films 4 lives award, the UNICEF UK Award, International Human Rights Documentary Film Festival, Glasgow and the Dirkvandersypen Award. It also won Best Latin American documentary in Belgium in 2007. The first comment that was made about this documentary was the title itself: it is not called; “From Girls to Women”, but rather “From Girls to Mothers.” It is almost as if to say that girls have their futures already planned out for them.
Before giving a brief synopsis of the documentary, as well as my interpretation of it; I feel it is extremely important to point out that, although it takes place in Nicaragua, by no means should this film or this analysis be understood as a generalization of all adolescents; mothers, and fathers of Nicaragua. While the film was an eye opener for many, it also has the potential to confirm stereotypes; and that is not what this course was intended to do.
The documentary follows the pregnancies of three adolescents for three years. Each is from a different area of Nicaragua: Kenya, a girl from the city of Managua; Blanca from the northern mountains, and Viviana from the Caribbean Coast. All three girls were between the ages of 14 and 16 years old when the documentary first began following their pregnancies. It is also important to point out that although the fathers of the girls’ babies were included in this documentary and were interviewed, their lives were not documented and followed as the girls’ were. This alone says something of the involvement of the fathers in the lives of the girls, and after their deliveries; the lives of their children in this documentary. The production company’s summary of the documentary, taken from their website, describes the film in the following words:
“These aren’t love stories with a happy ending. They are stories to make you think. And act, since traditional ideas about women’s identity and the meaning of maternity bring us face to face with increasingly urgent questions”.
I had been looking forward to watching the documentary for some time, for I had wanted to write a blog on the feminine ideal in Nicaragua. However, the theme has the ability to be misunderstood and taken in the wrong way, and depending on how I wrote the blog it could have been interpreted as stereotyping. If I wrote the blog without having a framework to draw from, it would not have had much merit. Therefore, this documentary gave me the opportunity to discuss a topic of which I have much interest in.
The film shows that there are different attitudes regarding teen pregnancy from fathers and mothers. In the case of the mother and daughter, tradition mandates that it is the mother’s responsibility to give advice to her daughter. This can be in terms of explaining pregnancy; the role of the woman in the family, her marriage, the workplace, and society in general. In the case of two of the pregnant girls, the mothers were not pleased that they had become pregnant for it is mainly the woman’s responsibility to care for the children. Merely children themselves, it therefore became the responsibility of their mothers to show them how to care for their babies. The documentary showed that the news of a baby on the way, for the girl and her mother, was not so much happy news, but rather a burden of more work to be done.
Of the many traditional roles that the mothers pass down to their daughters, servitude is one. One of the mothers commented on how the man’s job is to provide for the woman, and in return it is the women’s responsibility, or duty, to serve her husband. The word servitude can be understood to be physical, emotional, and sexual. Another traditional role that the mothers teach their daughters is their role in the workplace, which may also be interpreted as a stereotype. The mothers teach their teenage daughters that the only jobs they are capable of performing are taking care of other children or cleaning someone else’s house.
The attitude of a father and his son regarding pregnancy and premarital sex is very different. Essentially, it is ok for males to have premarital sex; and in fact if it results in a pregnancy, the male is lauded for his accomplishment. For the girl however, it is a different story. One of the teen fathers in the film made a comment that after a girl has sex with him, they lose their value. Additionally, the documentary showed that it was the father (I do not use the word husband because not all of the girls had married their baby’s father), who had the decision making power of how many children he wanted to have. Not every girl in the film was lucky in the sense that she had the support of her child’s father. In fact, one of the fathers was not convinced that the child was even his, and he refused to recognize his paternity. His reason for doing so was that he already had children with another girl before the new baby was born. Essentially, he could not afford the financial responsibility that is required in fatherhood. His solution, therefore, was to deny that the child, and the mother, even existed.
Aside from the traditional roles of motherhood and fatherhood, the documentary also delves into the ways that girls become pregnant that have to do with tradition. In the case of one girl, superstition was the cause. She believed that she became pregnant because her mother gave her a cold medicine that was really a love potion. When adolescents are not given proper sex education, this is a concern because the proper precautions are not being taken. Additionally, there are also myths about contraceptives. Even for those who are aware of how pregnancy happens, it is believed that contraceptives are a cause of cancer, so they simply aren’t used. Another factor in teen pregnancy is the life expectancy and quality of health care, which impacts their decision to have children at a young age. Lastly, one of the teen fathers commented that he wanted to have as many children as possible as an investment for the future when he becomes old and can no longer take care of himself.
Teen pregnancy is not a dilemma limited solely to Nicaragua. It exists in many countries, including the United States. One of the biggest arguments for the cause of teen pregnancy by many scholars is the lack of education. If education is not a value within a family, it allows for adolescents to engage in other activities that may put them at risk for teen pregnancy. Furthermore, while many preach abstinence; there also must be a level of being realistic. If we know that teens are sexually active, solely preaching abstinence to them may not be sufficient. While some would say it would be better if teens were not sexually active, we need to make sure that those who are, are practicing safe sex. For those who do become pregnant and choose to raise their baby, services also need to be provided for them so that it does not become the responsibility of the teen’s parents to raise the baby. Services should also allow for the teen to continue with their education and graduate, while also being able to care for their child.
One organization in Connecticut that works with parents of all ages is the Nurturing Families Network of Connecticut. While the mission of the organization is to work with families that are at-risk of involvement with the Department of Children and Families, any parent can use their services. The best part is that it’s free. One of their programs, Nurturing Connections, is a “telephone support service [that] connects you to someone who can answer your questions and refer you to parenting resources or services in your community”. Another is called Nurturing Parenting Groups, “a supportive environment to share experiences and work together to become the best parents you can be”. There is also the Intensive Home Visiting Program, where “a home visitor comes to your home to help you care for your baby and adjust to the many demands of becoming a parent”. All of their programs will “provide you with important parenting information, tips on how to care for your baby and yourself and information on immunizations, infant health and community resources”. If you or anyone you know is a teen or young adult parent living in Connecticut and needs help, information is available at the following websites:
http://www.take5parenting.com/parenttobe_parents.php
http://www.ct.gov/ctf/cwp/view.asp?a=1786&q=296678
1. Merriam-Webster Online. Dictionary and Thesaurus. http://www.merriam-webster.com
2. De Niña a Madre. Camila Films (2006). Directed by Florence Jaugey.
3. Camila Films. Girls to Mothers, Chapters One and Two. http://www.camilafilms.com/realizaciones.en?idrealizaciones=11
4. Children’s Trust Fund. For Parents to be and New Parents. http://www.take5parenting.com/parenttobe_parents.php
1 a: An inherited, established, or customary pattern of thought, action, or behavior (as a religious practice or a social custom). b: a belief or story or a body of beliefs or stories relating to the past that are commonly accepted as historical though not verifiable. 2: the handing down of information, beliefs, and customs by word of mouth or by example from one generation to another without written instruction. 3: cultural continuity in social attitudes, customs, and institutions. 4: characteristic manner, method, or style.
On Tuesday, August 18th; some of us had the opportunity to watch a documentary at Casa Angel. The title of the documentary is “De Niña a Madre”. If translated word for word, it would be called from girl to mother. However the production company’s website has it translated as “From Girls to Mothers.” The film won the following awards: UNICEF Films 4 lives award, the UNICEF UK Award, International Human Rights Documentary Film Festival, Glasgow and the Dirkvandersypen Award. It also won Best Latin American documentary in Belgium in 2007. The first comment that was made about this documentary was the title itself: it is not called; “From Girls to Women”, but rather “From Girls to Mothers.” It is almost as if to say that girls have their futures already planned out for them.
Before giving a brief synopsis of the documentary, as well as my interpretation of it; I feel it is extremely important to point out that, although it takes place in Nicaragua, by no means should this film or this analysis be understood as a generalization of all adolescents; mothers, and fathers of Nicaragua. While the film was an eye opener for many, it also has the potential to confirm stereotypes; and that is not what this course was intended to do.
The documentary follows the pregnancies of three adolescents for three years. Each is from a different area of Nicaragua: Kenya, a girl from the city of Managua; Blanca from the northern mountains, and Viviana from the Caribbean Coast. All three girls were between the ages of 14 and 16 years old when the documentary first began following their pregnancies. It is also important to point out that although the fathers of the girls’ babies were included in this documentary and were interviewed, their lives were not documented and followed as the girls’ were. This alone says something of the involvement of the fathers in the lives of the girls, and after their deliveries; the lives of their children in this documentary. The production company’s summary of the documentary, taken from their website, describes the film in the following words:
“These aren’t love stories with a happy ending. They are stories to make you think. And act, since traditional ideas about women’s identity and the meaning of maternity bring us face to face with increasingly urgent questions”.
I had been looking forward to watching the documentary for some time, for I had wanted to write a blog on the feminine ideal in Nicaragua. However, the theme has the ability to be misunderstood and taken in the wrong way, and depending on how I wrote the blog it could have been interpreted as stereotyping. If I wrote the blog without having a framework to draw from, it would not have had much merit. Therefore, this documentary gave me the opportunity to discuss a topic of which I have much interest in.
The film shows that there are different attitudes regarding teen pregnancy from fathers and mothers. In the case of the mother and daughter, tradition mandates that it is the mother’s responsibility to give advice to her daughter. This can be in terms of explaining pregnancy; the role of the woman in the family, her marriage, the workplace, and society in general. In the case of two of the pregnant girls, the mothers were not pleased that they had become pregnant for it is mainly the woman’s responsibility to care for the children. Merely children themselves, it therefore became the responsibility of their mothers to show them how to care for their babies. The documentary showed that the news of a baby on the way, for the girl and her mother, was not so much happy news, but rather a burden of more work to be done.
Of the many traditional roles that the mothers pass down to their daughters, servitude is one. One of the mothers commented on how the man’s job is to provide for the woman, and in return it is the women’s responsibility, or duty, to serve her husband. The word servitude can be understood to be physical, emotional, and sexual. Another traditional role that the mothers teach their daughters is their role in the workplace, which may also be interpreted as a stereotype. The mothers teach their teenage daughters that the only jobs they are capable of performing are taking care of other children or cleaning someone else’s house.
The attitude of a father and his son regarding pregnancy and premarital sex is very different. Essentially, it is ok for males to have premarital sex; and in fact if it results in a pregnancy, the male is lauded for his accomplishment. For the girl however, it is a different story. One of the teen fathers in the film made a comment that after a girl has sex with him, they lose their value. Additionally, the documentary showed that it was the father (I do not use the word husband because not all of the girls had married their baby’s father), who had the decision making power of how many children he wanted to have. Not every girl in the film was lucky in the sense that she had the support of her child’s father. In fact, one of the fathers was not convinced that the child was even his, and he refused to recognize his paternity. His reason for doing so was that he already had children with another girl before the new baby was born. Essentially, he could not afford the financial responsibility that is required in fatherhood. His solution, therefore, was to deny that the child, and the mother, even existed.
Aside from the traditional roles of motherhood and fatherhood, the documentary also delves into the ways that girls become pregnant that have to do with tradition. In the case of one girl, superstition was the cause. She believed that she became pregnant because her mother gave her a cold medicine that was really a love potion. When adolescents are not given proper sex education, this is a concern because the proper precautions are not being taken. Additionally, there are also myths about contraceptives. Even for those who are aware of how pregnancy happens, it is believed that contraceptives are a cause of cancer, so they simply aren’t used. Another factor in teen pregnancy is the life expectancy and quality of health care, which impacts their decision to have children at a young age. Lastly, one of the teen fathers commented that he wanted to have as many children as possible as an investment for the future when he becomes old and can no longer take care of himself.
Teen pregnancy is not a dilemma limited solely to Nicaragua. It exists in many countries, including the United States. One of the biggest arguments for the cause of teen pregnancy by many scholars is the lack of education. If education is not a value within a family, it allows for adolescents to engage in other activities that may put them at risk for teen pregnancy. Furthermore, while many preach abstinence; there also must be a level of being realistic. If we know that teens are sexually active, solely preaching abstinence to them may not be sufficient. While some would say it would be better if teens were not sexually active, we need to make sure that those who are, are practicing safe sex. For those who do become pregnant and choose to raise their baby, services also need to be provided for them so that it does not become the responsibility of the teen’s parents to raise the baby. Services should also allow for the teen to continue with their education and graduate, while also being able to care for their child.
One organization in Connecticut that works with parents of all ages is the Nurturing Families Network of Connecticut. While the mission of the organization is to work with families that are at-risk of involvement with the Department of Children and Families, any parent can use their services. The best part is that it’s free. One of their programs, Nurturing Connections, is a “telephone support service [that] connects you to someone who can answer your questions and refer you to parenting resources or services in your community”. Another is called Nurturing Parenting Groups, “a supportive environment to share experiences and work together to become the best parents you can be”. There is also the Intensive Home Visiting Program, where “a home visitor comes to your home to help you care for your baby and adjust to the many demands of becoming a parent”. All of their programs will “provide you with important parenting information, tips on how to care for your baby and yourself and information on immunizations, infant health and community resources”. If you or anyone you know is a teen or young adult parent living in Connecticut and needs help, information is available at the following websites:
http://www.take5parenting.com/parenttobe_parents.php
http://www.ct.gov/ctf/cwp/view.asp?a=1786&q=296678
1. Merriam-Webster Online. Dictionary and Thesaurus. http://www.merriam-webster.com
2. De Niña a Madre. Camila Films (2006). Directed by Florence Jaugey.
3. Camila Films. Girls to Mothers, Chapters One and Two. http://www.camilafilms.com/realizaciones.en?idrealizaciones=11
4. Children’s Trust Fund. For Parents to be and New Parents. http://www.take5parenting.com/parenttobe_parents.php
Sunday, September 6, 2009
El Desarrollo
As I mentioned in my previous post, the entries for SPA 298 differ slightly from those of SPA 211/411. They are intended to be more objective and analytical, and less personal. That being said, I believe it is important to mention that everyone has their own set of values; beliefs, and ideas that are adhered to. Even when it comes to a scholarly interpretation of a poem; work of art, or a song; these beliefs have the capability of seeping through, no matter how hard the scholar tries to keep them at bay, and this occurs even at the highest level of academia.
In Gioconda Belli's poem "Trasmigraciones", the theme that is addressed is development. Development can be manifested in many different forms and when one talks about development as it pertains to culture; it makes sense that many would interpret it to be the physical development of landscape, such as the changing of the land as a result of new buildings to house businesses. Additionally, it makes sense that development in the context of culture would be understood as the development of its economy; political realm, educational systems, and language, because; just like culture, they all appear at the macro level. They are broadly applied, and to some degree, are abstract ideas. However; development can also be applied to the mezzo and micro systems, such as at the community; family, and individual levels.
Belli's poem addresses the relationship between technology and development. Technology can affect the development of numerous systems. Conversely, technology itself is always developing. Although the poet does not overtly mention the Internet, it could be interpreted within the context of the poem. In the third sentence; the words " navegando por mas informacion de la que puedo o quiero digerir", translated into English: "Navegating [Searching] for more information than I can or want to digest". Furthermore, while the subject of the poem seems to view her relationship with her computer and the Internet in a positive way, it does not appear that the Belli holds the same feeling towards technology. This can be interpreted from the tone that is used by Belli, it is almost as if the subject is being mocked. The relationship with her computer in the poem is viewed as a drug, "hay un placer adictivo y peligroso que me mantiene despierta hasta altas horas de la madrugada". Translated, the poet is saying that there is a dangerous and addictive pleasure that keeps her awake until the high hours of dawn. Lastly, a reference is made to Alice, from Alice in Wonderland. Although the cartoon is one viewed by many children, I took a children's literature class during which we read and discussed fairytales. In this one, there are many hidden elements. Among them are drug use; Freudian psychology, and sex and pedophilia. The story itself literally is about a girl who falls through a rabbit hole and finds herself in a frightening world of chaos and nonsense. It would not be a far reach to say that Belli was covertly calling cyberspace, or the Internet, a frightening world of chaos and nonsense as well.
The entire context of the poem is a remark for how the Internet replaces face to face, interpersonal relationships, and has the ability to reduce one's sense of community. Additionally, online communication reduces the intensity of dialogue, by totally eliminating nonverbal communication (in the sense you cant see facial expressions). Unless of course a web camera is used, but it is quite impossible to recreate physical intimacy--you lack the smell of someone's perfume or cologne, and probably the most important, the touch.
There are many more dangers of the Internet that could affect the communities and families within a culture, and they can happen in any country around the world with developing technology. One example is the social networking websites such as Myspace and Facebook, where young girls might naively post pictures of themselves and turn up as a victim to a sexual predator.
When the Internet was first created, it was done so for the use of the United States government. Originally, it was intended to benefit the government by enabling quick inter-agency communication. Now, the government spends millions, if not in the billions, of dollars to try to enforce laws against crimes such as Internet pornography; online prostitution, gambling, and other industries such as the sale of illicit narcotic prescriptions and the sale of tobacco without the collection of applicable taxes. As Nicaragua continues to develop, as access to the Internet becomes more available, what will be in store for the people of Nicaragua? Athough there are positive aspects to the availability of information to a culture, what will happen as its people also begin to have access to the above mentioned industries that the Internet fosters?
As someone who currently works in the field of substance abuse in a detox clinic, I have seen where addiction takes people. Physically, it takes them to places they would never have been to otherwise: crack houses, on the streets soliciting sex for money or drugs, and sometimes people just wake up in a city and they have no idea where they are and how they got there. I have also learned that sometimes, not always, but in many cases the mental component to addiction is a tougher battle that the physiological. We are now seeing more and more cases of addiction to internet gambling sites, pornography sites but we are also seeing, what could be called "innocent" addictions to the Internet.One of the biggest lately for many adolescents is the World of Warcraft, an online game. Neither form of addiction is better or worse than the other, but many believe that only actual drug addictions cause health problems. This could be far from the truth, as the United States is seeing obesity rates in children and teens skyrocket, and many feel this is due to outdoor playing with friends being replaced by virtual games. The Internet is not the only culprit, as other video games such as XBox and watching hours of television are also having the same effect. Additionally, as Belli comments in the poem when staying up until dawn is referenced, this is also happening among people of all age groups. Those that spend their nights on the Internet are usually not getting the recommended amount of sleep, and for children and teens it is absolutely an important requirement for their health, as well as their development.
As Internet Cafes continue to open up in Nicaragua; as the rate of homes with computers starts to rise, will their insatiable appetite and cravings rise as it did for Belli's character, and like for so many people of cultures around the world that have rapidly developing technology? Will the Nicaraguense still continue to puertear if more homes have computers? Is the Nicaraguan governent prepared to handle any of the potential Internet crimes against their citizens?
In Gioconda Belli's poem "Trasmigraciones", the theme that is addressed is development. Development can be manifested in many different forms and when one talks about development as it pertains to culture; it makes sense that many would interpret it to be the physical development of landscape, such as the changing of the land as a result of new buildings to house businesses. Additionally, it makes sense that development in the context of culture would be understood as the development of its economy; political realm, educational systems, and language, because; just like culture, they all appear at the macro level. They are broadly applied, and to some degree, are abstract ideas. However; development can also be applied to the mezzo and micro systems, such as at the community; family, and individual levels.
Belli's poem addresses the relationship between technology and development. Technology can affect the development of numerous systems. Conversely, technology itself is always developing. Although the poet does not overtly mention the Internet, it could be interpreted within the context of the poem. In the third sentence; the words " navegando por mas informacion de la que puedo o quiero digerir", translated into English: "Navegating [Searching] for more information than I can or want to digest". Furthermore, while the subject of the poem seems to view her relationship with her computer and the Internet in a positive way, it does not appear that the Belli holds the same feeling towards technology. This can be interpreted from the tone that is used by Belli, it is almost as if the subject is being mocked. The relationship with her computer in the poem is viewed as a drug, "hay un placer adictivo y peligroso que me mantiene despierta hasta altas horas de la madrugada". Translated, the poet is saying that there is a dangerous and addictive pleasure that keeps her awake until the high hours of dawn. Lastly, a reference is made to Alice, from Alice in Wonderland. Although the cartoon is one viewed by many children, I took a children's literature class during which we read and discussed fairytales. In this one, there are many hidden elements. Among them are drug use; Freudian psychology, and sex and pedophilia. The story itself literally is about a girl who falls through a rabbit hole and finds herself in a frightening world of chaos and nonsense. It would not be a far reach to say that Belli was covertly calling cyberspace, or the Internet, a frightening world of chaos and nonsense as well.
The entire context of the poem is a remark for how the Internet replaces face to face, interpersonal relationships, and has the ability to reduce one's sense of community. Additionally, online communication reduces the intensity of dialogue, by totally eliminating nonverbal communication (in the sense you cant see facial expressions). Unless of course a web camera is used, but it is quite impossible to recreate physical intimacy--you lack the smell of someone's perfume or cologne, and probably the most important, the touch.
There are many more dangers of the Internet that could affect the communities and families within a culture, and they can happen in any country around the world with developing technology. One example is the social networking websites such as Myspace and Facebook, where young girls might naively post pictures of themselves and turn up as a victim to a sexual predator.
When the Internet was first created, it was done so for the use of the United States government. Originally, it was intended to benefit the government by enabling quick inter-agency communication. Now, the government spends millions, if not in the billions, of dollars to try to enforce laws against crimes such as Internet pornography; online prostitution, gambling, and other industries such as the sale of illicit narcotic prescriptions and the sale of tobacco without the collection of applicable taxes. As Nicaragua continues to develop, as access to the Internet becomes more available, what will be in store for the people of Nicaragua? Athough there are positive aspects to the availability of information to a culture, what will happen as its people also begin to have access to the above mentioned industries that the Internet fosters?
As someone who currently works in the field of substance abuse in a detox clinic, I have seen where addiction takes people. Physically, it takes them to places they would never have been to otherwise: crack houses, on the streets soliciting sex for money or drugs, and sometimes people just wake up in a city and they have no idea where they are and how they got there. I have also learned that sometimes, not always, but in many cases the mental component to addiction is a tougher battle that the physiological. We are now seeing more and more cases of addiction to internet gambling sites, pornography sites but we are also seeing, what could be called "innocent" addictions to the Internet.One of the biggest lately for many adolescents is the World of Warcraft, an online game. Neither form of addiction is better or worse than the other, but many believe that only actual drug addictions cause health problems. This could be far from the truth, as the United States is seeing obesity rates in children and teens skyrocket, and many feel this is due to outdoor playing with friends being replaced by virtual games. The Internet is not the only culprit, as other video games such as XBox and watching hours of television are also having the same effect. Additionally, as Belli comments in the poem when staying up until dawn is referenced, this is also happening among people of all age groups. Those that spend their nights on the Internet are usually not getting the recommended amount of sleep, and for children and teens it is absolutely an important requirement for their health, as well as their development.
As Internet Cafes continue to open up in Nicaragua; as the rate of homes with computers starts to rise, will their insatiable appetite and cravings rise as it did for Belli's character, and like for so many people of cultures around the world that have rapidly developing technology? Will the Nicaraguense still continue to puertear if more homes have computers? Is the Nicaraguan governent prepared to handle any of the potential Internet crimes against their citizens?
Friday, September 4, 2009
La Felicidad
When we were first introduced to the ten themes, each person was assigned a theme and had to define it in their own words, plus provide examples that they had witnessed in Nicaragua. These next 10 entries are supposed to be more academic and less personal, but in order to really disect the theme and how it applies to a poem, song, etc., there's no way to avoid getting a bit personal because the definitions of each theme is subjective.
The theme that I was given was La Felicidad, or happiness. I had never understood the need for two spanish verbs to define the english translation of "to be", until I had to define happiness. I had always understood the differences between "Ser" and "Estar", and knew what situation would call for the use of which verb, but I never exactly understood why until I started thinking about my own definition of happiness. In English, we just simply say a sentence such as; "He's happy because he just got money". But does that mean he's a genuinely happy person? Does money buy happiness? In English, there's no way to separate temporary, conditional happiness from inate, unconditional happiness. Whereas in the Spanish language, the verb Estar would be used to describe the temporary, and the verb Ser would be used to describe the inate. They both mean to be, but their usage is different. Now, all of the Estar versus Ser business begins to make some sense. Personally, when I think of happiness, I think of the inate kind because although you can be temporarily happy, that feeling will go away and then what are you left with?
In the poem, "El Celular" by Ernesto Cardenal; the poet speaks of the temporary happiness of people from developed countries. We had learned that many things can be symbols for power, such as horses that were brought into Nicaragua from the Spaniards. In this poem, the symbol for power is technology in the form of the cell phone. He writes about how people; while talking on their cell phones, laugh and smile and display a sense of fulfillment. But if technology is a symbol of power, and we are its consumers, than that makes us the powerful and in order to be powerful, that means that there are the powerless. So while we may be happy to have the newest blackberry or I-phone, at what cost is our happiness? And we're only happy for a little while because there's this little thing that silicon valley uses called planned obsolescence, meaning that cell phone companies already have the next 5 models ready at the time that they put out the first model. They plan that first model to become obsolete, and from a money making perspective its a genious idea. As consumers, few realize this, and even fewer put any thought into how their product was made and those that were taken advantage of in order to make it. So yes, we may be happy as we text message until our thumbs cant handle it any more, but at what cost is this so called happiness?
As the saying goes, "Ignorance is Bliss"; however, not knowing the truth is no excuse. When you order food at a restaurant, don't you ask how its prepared, in case you have an allergy? Unless a food is made with peanuts, will a restaurant generally inform their patrons of food dishes containing allergens. Its up to the patron to ask for information, and as one consumes food, those that use cell phones, computers etc. are consumers as well, just of a different product. Major companies are not going to tell you that they have blood on their hands, and just because no ones informing the public does not absolve the companies' consumers of responsibility to be asking questions. We too, the consumers, have blood on our hands as well. A different industry with a problem similar to coltan in the technology industry is the diamond industry, and the movie Blood Diamond shows an accurate depiction. Essentially, in order for us to have that jaw-dropping, sparkling engagement ring, or whatever piece of jewelery, villages are raided and the men are taken and forced to dig for diamonds. In the movie, a man was separated from his family, and his son was taken and trained to be a renegade soldier, and was taught how to shoot up drugs and kill on demand. The boy, and many others, were brainwashed to despise their parents and to shoot them if needed.
Essentially, the poet is pointing out that our temporary happiness has been causing permanent loss of life, culture and resources to others. Crimes against humanity are being performed for the purpose of quicker and better communication, and these are crimes against our brothers and sisters, for we are all human beings. This is a form of oppression at its best because we deprive our fellow human being the opportunity to better their lives and the lives of their children. While knowing that the United States has been outsourcing jobs since we have used up our own natural resources, how can we not demand information regarding where the products are made and the conditions they are made under? This is not just a consumer's responsibility, but that of a human being's.
When we do not seek the truth, when we cease to ask questions, we cease to be fully human because we are no longer using what sets us apart from the rest of the animal kingdom; our brains and intelligence--which has helped us to adapt to, change, and destroy the world we were given. If we aren't seeking out the truth, then we also become apathetic. If we have arrived to the point of apathy, how can we ever truly feel happiness in the first place?
The human condition is not a political, nor ethnic issue. Some may argue its a religious issue but even in the realm of religion there are conflicts and wars involving death and destruction. The human condition; therefore, needs to be taken up by its namesake: humankind. If we are the caretakers of this world, and if we refer to the developing nations as "Older Brother", and we refer to developed nations as "Little Brother", than we have a resposibility; an accountability for and to one another. We cannot be the caretakers of this world without being each other's caretaker. How can happiness, serenity, and peace ever be acheived if its at the expense of our own brother?
Any type of exchange, whether of ideas, or material goods has a mutual dependency for both parties involved. Whether producer and consumer, or speaker and listener, neither would function without the role of its partner. Therefore, consumers are a part of production, listeners are part of a conversation. How can we acheive happiness when we, consumers, are killing our brother by an extension of, if not even our hand?
POEM BY ERNESTO CARDENAL: "El Celular"
The theme that I was given was La Felicidad, or happiness. I had never understood the need for two spanish verbs to define the english translation of "to be", until I had to define happiness. I had always understood the differences between "Ser" and "Estar", and knew what situation would call for the use of which verb, but I never exactly understood why until I started thinking about my own definition of happiness. In English, we just simply say a sentence such as; "He's happy because he just got money". But does that mean he's a genuinely happy person? Does money buy happiness? In English, there's no way to separate temporary, conditional happiness from inate, unconditional happiness. Whereas in the Spanish language, the verb Estar would be used to describe the temporary, and the verb Ser would be used to describe the inate. They both mean to be, but their usage is different. Now, all of the Estar versus Ser business begins to make some sense. Personally, when I think of happiness, I think of the inate kind because although you can be temporarily happy, that feeling will go away and then what are you left with?
In the poem, "El Celular" by Ernesto Cardenal; the poet speaks of the temporary happiness of people from developed countries. We had learned that many things can be symbols for power, such as horses that were brought into Nicaragua from the Spaniards. In this poem, the symbol for power is technology in the form of the cell phone. He writes about how people; while talking on their cell phones, laugh and smile and display a sense of fulfillment. But if technology is a symbol of power, and we are its consumers, than that makes us the powerful and in order to be powerful, that means that there are the powerless. So while we may be happy to have the newest blackberry or I-phone, at what cost is our happiness? And we're only happy for a little while because there's this little thing that silicon valley uses called planned obsolescence, meaning that cell phone companies already have the next 5 models ready at the time that they put out the first model. They plan that first model to become obsolete, and from a money making perspective its a genious idea. As consumers, few realize this, and even fewer put any thought into how their product was made and those that were taken advantage of in order to make it. So yes, we may be happy as we text message until our thumbs cant handle it any more, but at what cost is this so called happiness?
As the saying goes, "Ignorance is Bliss"; however, not knowing the truth is no excuse. When you order food at a restaurant, don't you ask how its prepared, in case you have an allergy? Unless a food is made with peanuts, will a restaurant generally inform their patrons of food dishes containing allergens. Its up to the patron to ask for information, and as one consumes food, those that use cell phones, computers etc. are consumers as well, just of a different product. Major companies are not going to tell you that they have blood on their hands, and just because no ones informing the public does not absolve the companies' consumers of responsibility to be asking questions. We too, the consumers, have blood on our hands as well. A different industry with a problem similar to coltan in the technology industry is the diamond industry, and the movie Blood Diamond shows an accurate depiction. Essentially, in order for us to have that jaw-dropping, sparkling engagement ring, or whatever piece of jewelery, villages are raided and the men are taken and forced to dig for diamonds. In the movie, a man was separated from his family, and his son was taken and trained to be a renegade soldier, and was taught how to shoot up drugs and kill on demand. The boy, and many others, were brainwashed to despise their parents and to shoot them if needed.
Essentially, the poet is pointing out that our temporary happiness has been causing permanent loss of life, culture and resources to others. Crimes against humanity are being performed for the purpose of quicker and better communication, and these are crimes against our brothers and sisters, for we are all human beings. This is a form of oppression at its best because we deprive our fellow human being the opportunity to better their lives and the lives of their children. While knowing that the United States has been outsourcing jobs since we have used up our own natural resources, how can we not demand information regarding where the products are made and the conditions they are made under? This is not just a consumer's responsibility, but that of a human being's.
When we do not seek the truth, when we cease to ask questions, we cease to be fully human because we are no longer using what sets us apart from the rest of the animal kingdom; our brains and intelligence--which has helped us to adapt to, change, and destroy the world we were given. If we aren't seeking out the truth, then we also become apathetic. If we have arrived to the point of apathy, how can we ever truly feel happiness in the first place?
The human condition is not a political, nor ethnic issue. Some may argue its a religious issue but even in the realm of religion there are conflicts and wars involving death and destruction. The human condition; therefore, needs to be taken up by its namesake: humankind. If we are the caretakers of this world, and if we refer to the developing nations as "Older Brother", and we refer to developed nations as "Little Brother", than we have a resposibility; an accountability for and to one another. We cannot be the caretakers of this world without being each other's caretaker. How can happiness, serenity, and peace ever be acheived if its at the expense of our own brother?
Any type of exchange, whether of ideas, or material goods has a mutual dependency for both parties involved. Whether producer and consumer, or speaker and listener, neither would function without the role of its partner. Therefore, consumers are a part of production, listeners are part of a conversation. How can we acheive happiness when we, consumers, are killing our brother by an extension of, if not even our hand?
POEM BY ERNESTO CARDENAL: "El Celular"
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