Last words

America’s image of an independent judicial branch can never be brandished to the international community for as long as Mahvish Khan’s words continue to be heard. The judicial branch is clearly arm in arms with the rest of the administration, and as seen before in the onset of WWII, terror gets the best out of people when a vague “other” is branded with the title of enemy. It is ludicrous of a society as informed as America’s to believe that every single individual coming out of the Middle East is most likely a terrorist, if so one would expect all Americans to strongly adhere to George W Bush’s values. Now that is a strong imagery that would make many Americans cringe, if so how come a few bad people in the Middle East have managed to come to represent the whole region? The responsibility lies not upon those terrorists, but on the ignorance of the public, who consequently refuses to open their eyes after the blindfold has been removed. If prisoners who were tortured, humiliated, and felt the slap of injustice every day at the hands of their American captors manage to keep an open minded image of the rest of the population, it should be a no brainer that an “advanced” society should be able to do the same. I am grateful for this course, as it has given me the opportunity to back my opinions with facts. I am a better citizen of the world for it. Thank you Professor Metcalf.

Some thoughts about American Justice

After reading most of the Guantanamo Bay stories, I am more than ever skeptical about the international justice system.

I am especially irritated by the constant reference to America’s judicial system being fair, when people have been oppressed in this country for centuries, and it is still hard to find the silver lining.

If it is true that the American judicial branch of the government is so respectable because of landmark cases, how come there is little sign of improvement. After all, a judicial branch like any of a government is supposed to improve its procedures, and eliminate inadequacies, if so, how come the same injustices arise and it takes years to fix the obvious wrong that is being done.

My answer is a rather sarcastic one for lack of inspiration, I believe that the judicial branch directly reflects the people in power at the time and rarely remains impartial. Khan refers to the case of Japanese being sent to concentrations camps, and of one Japanese young man making a difference in the Supreme Court. Yes he did win the case, however thousands of Japanese were mistreated, and their rights were violated regardless of the verdict.

I believe that as long as the Americans believe that this country is free, and its government is one of the more just in the world, there is little chance of improvement. That is the reason why people need to hear about the stories of the Guantanamo Bay so that there could be a coalition of the people, and the system could change. Perhaps that is too idealistic, but it is still better than watching innocent people suffering not only on American soil, but on foreign soil in the name of “American” values.

All the Shah's Men

I found our discussion in class about the All the Shah’s Men very interesting. It was interesting because most of us agreed that the United States’ government could meddle in other countries’ affairs in ways that contradicts with the state’s values. That is politics, we all say to ourselves but what is history’s purpose if great men always make the same mistakes. Clearly, working within the system or status quo will only get us so far, since abuses occur and no one is held accountable. The world we are living in is full of injustices that countless institutions are established to combat, however the institutions that are supposed to safeguard the people, are reinforcing the pattern by participating or enabling abusers.

When the CIA teamed up with the British intelligence, there was no stopping them. Now that religious extremists are in power in Iran and countless lives have been lost to corruption, torture, and nepotism, no one is held accountable. If reading books like All the Shah’s Men are supposed to enlighten us, what is supposed to strengthen us to take action. Is it the amount of evidence of the system failing the people? Is it the number of occurrences around the world? The number of deaths that have occurred? There is plenty of all three, however history does not seem to stir the masses into action, only a continuously decreasing quality of life will, which brings the next question: how bad does it need to get? I am grateful to have found a basis of proof for my existing biases against the western governments and the institutions they sponsor, now I believe more than ever that hypocrisy runs deeps in its veins.

Gazamom.com

Following the recommendation of Professor Metcalf, I went on gazamom.com to see a little more on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. I must admit, I fell in awe of this women’s amazing story telling ability. She achieves the right mix of humanity and political activism with more grace than most bloggers do. For those of you who might not know, this blog is about the story of a Palestinian family, Leila, her husband and their son, living in the United States because they are unable to return to Gaza. Leila depicts the struggle of being denied the right of entry into one’s own country. As a second generation Rwandan, I can relate to her predicament as my parents were unwanted in their own country for many years, and I was born abroad because of this. The sense that one does not belong in a country as a refugee or an exile transfers even to young children. My older siblings knew that their classmates thought of them as different, and teasing ensued. Leila talks about her young son’s struggle to understand his family predicament as a kindergarten assignment asks the children to fill out their address.

There is a picture of Yousuf’s paper, his address city: Gaza, Country: USA. Leila was obviously touched to see that her own child was carrying his real home within, despite his surroundings. I believe that if more people were exposed to this kind of information, that of the suffering of people that are just like us, would bring more compassion, and maybe, maybe some reaction strong enough to bring about change. As long as Palestinians continue to be portrayed as angry Arabs, injustice will continue to be justified and cloaked with a web of lies. This blog made me more sympathetic to the Palestinian cause than I already was as it showed me a humane side of the Palestinian population that I had not, could not find in the current media.

The Mandate System

The language used to describe the Mandate System by the League of Nations is hilarious. It is Hilarious in its covering up the word colonialism with “mentorship” and “guidance” or even “protection”. The fact that Western countries were supposedly more experienced in matters of international affairs and global trade apparently made them experts of ruling foreign countries as well; how unrealistic! These League of Nations Mandates were destined to fail, as these made up countries could not be lead by an iron fist forever. The idea that the western countries would nurse these foreign countries’ economies back to health and then leave them be once they were stable is synonym to a vampire saying it will leave its victim once it is done sucking its “bad” blood.

Perhaps this is an especially pessimistic analogy; however common knowledge dictates that no nation will exert special effort for the sole benefit of another. In other words, why would England invest so much time and money in Egypt if it were not for money and special interests in exchange? The blatant denial of the economic interest in the Mandate System shows how dishonest international institution decrees are written to sound more philanthropic in nature than they truly are. What the League of Nations was doing in the Middle East is essentially protecting their interest in the region, making sure no non-western or western country got the upper hand, or no powerful alliances were made which would of course, impede on the Western countries’ ability to impose its influence. The way the Western countries divvied up their share of the Middle Eastern wealth in order to remain key decision makers, proves that no international institution or foreign institution knows or intends to do what is best for another country; none.

Genocide

The story of Vahan struck a chord within me because of my personal history. Coming from Rwanda, where Genocide was carried out in just a hundred days and yet claimed the lives of a million people, the painful story of the young Armenian was all too familiar. Fortunately, I was safe during the genocide as I was residing in another country; however Vahan’s story greatly resembles those that are told during the month of April, the month of the Commemoration, where the dead are remembered and the survivors tell their stories. This is a painful process both for the survivor and the audience, as the most inhumane acts were carried out in plain daylight and no one screamed bloody murder. The most painful aspect however is one of denial.

Turkey’s current position on the Armenian genocide is an insult for all those who were driven out of their homes, shot, raped or left to starve. The fact that they claim it was a civil war, or a way to deal with treason does not explain the systematic mistreatment of civilians by organized governmental institutions. Armenians were discriminated against for years before the Genocide was carried out, therefore the Turkish population was used to seeing these human beings as subhuman, their fate was inconsequential. The same goes for the Rwandan Genocide. When people are lead to see another group of people as inferior, it is easier to kill, rape,and enslave that group. It is also a shame that the master minds of this Genocide were shot in cold blood, and did not have to face justice.

Human Rights

The idea that an Islamic society held centuries ago, standards of tolerance that exceeds that of Americans today seems appalling to most. However when paying close attention to the Tanzimat Resources one cannot help but note that Ottoman Turks were just as open to other religions and races as any “democratic and free” nation today. Personal property was also respected, and although the right to free speech is not included in the Turkish declaration of human rights, there must have been very little complaint. This humongous empire prospered for centuries over vast territories.

Since the Ottomans managed to rule over such a diverse population, they must have gained the respect of their subjects. Of course a little fear is great incentive to bow down and do as you are told, but that can only last for so long. Respect is gained by reciprocity, and the Ottomans were fairer than any contemporary European nation. Emphasis is placed on collective good while most western nations evolved to into individualistic societies; however the Turks managed to balance the collective good with that of the State, which never ceased to search for greater riches. The idea that Islam is an oppressive religion is therefore flawed as thousands were able to live under its rule freely. This pervasive view of Muslim that persists till this day should be corrected. The religion itself is no more oppressive than any other, it is rather the people’s interpretation of the Koran that give gateway to tyrannical acts; and that goes for any religion.

Culture versus Change

The Janissary Tree interestingly portrays the struggle between achieving progress and maintaining one's unique identity and culture. Although the plot unravels a bit too quickly, the journey to the end of the book was enjoyable. I spent much of my commute to and fro New York city reading this novel, despite the busy surrounding, I felt completely immersed in the old Istanbul. At first, I thought the lengthy descriptions of Yashim's cooking sessions were standing in my way of getting other juicy details, however later on, these descriptions helped seal a clear image of the Ottoman empire, its people, their habits, and the struggle they were facing.

There is nothing worse than being the best, and watching yourself, your team slip to number two, and slowly, three, and so on, until you are no longer taking part in the race. I believe it is this panicking fear of being left behind that pushes people to abandon some part of their identity to adopt another. The Sultan's need to follow the "civilized" societies's example, such as the French, which were building their own empire, is understandable, is it laudable? I am not sure, as no one can predict the future, however one can notice recurring patterns of assimilation. Since the 19th century, developing countries strive to achieve economic independence and look to Western countries for models of success. Adoption new ways is not necessarily the key to success, that is why it is understandable for Turks to have been opposed to the complete modernization of their people. Customs, as cumbersome as they may seem, are the reason why our world is so advanced, it is our difference that allow us to learn and grow. That said, it is also suicidal, economically, and politically speaking, to completely reject any foreign advancement. The key is to achieve a balance between innovation, and owning its implementation, which the Turks were entrusting a little too much to foreignors in the Janissary Tree.

The Janissary Tree

The Janissarry Tree is FANTASTIC! I am a mystery book junkie, although I have not picked up such a novel in a long long time, but I am thoroughly enjoying this one, it was about time I got back into the habit. When I was in elementary school, every Wednesday I would go to the Centre Culturel, our library back home, and I would pick up an Agatha Christie novel, that I would read during my nap time. Yes we have nap time past pre-school, where I live, because the heat is crushing around the middle of the day. Anyway, I would finish the book by the fall of the night, and I was always delighted that I could never guess the motives or who the murderer was. This Janissary Tree novel kind of takes me back to those days, as I feel completely clueless as to whom could want to harm the Polish ambassador, or as to how Yashim became a eunuch. There are so many things that arouse my curiosity in this novel, that I would gladly enjoy taking a break from class just to read and finish the novel. Until now, I had no idea how fascinating the Turkish world was, the ways of the people, and their intrigues. There are intrigues in all countries, however the way the Janissary Tree unfolds makes learning World history a pleasure. I believe reading a novel, watching videos, and taking a look at maps once in a while, is the most effective way to get the material to stick. For history is fascinating for its people, their acts, and the decisions they made, not so much for the dates and the facts, not for me at least. I definitely look forward to getting on with the Janissary Tree, and figuring out who did this to poor Yashim. I wonder if there are still eunuchs to this day...

La Graine et le Mullet

I went to the French Movie Festival tonight, and tonight’s movie was called La Graine et Le Mullet. It is about an Algerian family, who immigrated to France, and whose patriarch is trying to establish a couscous restaurant on a boat. The entire movie plunges the viewers deep into the layers of southern France’s society. Now that we are studying this region’s history, I pay particularly close attention to the mannerisms and the food, and the words that they use. I do not expect to become an expert of the Arabic language anytime soon, however I hope to learn a thing or two by the end of the semester.

For example, I wonder if the interactions between Europeans and the Ottoman Turks, or North Africans were always so strewn with varying levels of racism, distrust, and ignorance. The director of this movie was so skilled that watching the characters interact made one aware of all the spoken and unspoken aspects of communication. One could almost smell the delicious food, as well as the heavy pretension that the locals exuded. The patriarch Slimane, spent his whole life trying to better that of his children, ends up dying in the pursuit of happiness (no surprise here it is, after all a French movie). I wonder if Muslim conquerors faced the same disdain from their Christians subjects, or were they met with fear, and respect, as they held the power, or with time, did they, the subjects, learn to admire their ways, once they saw the liberal way they ruled. I cannot understand how people from regions that have always dealt with one another for centuries, on some level or another, still feel as though their land, their history, their customs, have remained untouched for as long as man can remember, and therefore things should remain the same. I do not understand how the majority choose to ignore a part of history because it is convenient, because it fits their definition of themselves. Most importantly, I do not understand why after so many milestones of knowledge have been achieved, ignorance still persists, as many continue to believe they stand above others.

Palaces

After watching the “Snowy Day Assignment” youtube videos, I got to thinking about how beautiful those palaces were, and how incredible it was that there were not as publicized as other wonders of the world. These architectural feats are amazing, like the commentator said himself, yet, few of us non history buffs know so little about these incredible landmarks. The restoration, or up keeping of Esfahan is also outstanding, considering the age of these buildings, and the historical and political changes the country has been through. It is so sad that political aspirations and ensuing conflicts keep so many people in the dark about so many wonderful cultures. So far, all I thought my only impressions of Iran were from the Kite Runner (which was really helpful in understanding the current situation), and from the news reports of possible nuclear armament. I find it deplorable that because of ongoing conflict of interest, only a certain part of history is kept alive, and is constantly revisited (such as that of Ancient Rome or Greece) while other parts are pushed into the corner, rarely touched upon by those feel “unrelated” to the “other side”. The western civilization has always been considered to have contributed the most to our world, and evidently, no great feat of its history is left unmentioned in textbooks. However all other civilizations are briefly touched upon in mainstream classrooms, and those who are interest have to read between the lines to find out what really happened. I find this “partial” education even more dangerous than ignorance, as those who do not know, feel as though they do, as they have been thought very little and ignore it is only the tip of the iceberg. If only everyone could have the chance to see the full picture, or at least a greater, fairer, portion of what happened in the past, the next generations would be better off. I think.

Peace Propaganda & The Promised Land

This documentary should be more popular than it is. Such blatant proof of the ineffectiveness of the American media should be common knowledge, yet very few people have seen this video (only 100,000 or less hits on youtube). An average American will never wonder why there is never a story portraying the suffering of the Palestinians, as he or she is bombarded with the same message: Israelis simply matter more. The fact that the strong historical ties between the USA and Israel, along with the American media’s cozy relationship with the political elite, are carefully concealed or downplayed saddens me deeply because this means the truth will always come too late.

When one looks at history, or just at this century, wherever there has been an injustice, such as the continuous marginalization of a people, or even genocide, the world has stood by, only acting once too many lives were lost. How many Palestinian and Israeli lives have to be lost for the issues they are facing to be correctly addressed? Most importantly, when will murderers have to face their actions, and their aides stopped from enabling them? Unfortunately for Palestinians, Israel and the US, are major players in the world’s economy and their influence has silenced many consciences. The United Nations has no muscle, and therefore, without the support of the major economies of the world, no concrete measure can be taken. I simply hope that more people will wake up and smell the coffee, and realize that there is no such thing as objectivity, and that ignorance is not an excuse for being a bystander. Then perhaps, more than a few will stand up for justice.

Introduction

My name, is Isabelle Umugwaneza, legally known in the US as Nyombayire I Umugwaneza. Long story short, my real first name, Isabelle, was taken as my middle and vice versa, and for immigration purposes, I had to keep it that way. Now everytime professors have to roll call on the first day, I cannot help but be entertained by the confused look on their face when they come across a first and last name that are equally hard to pronounce. Aside from that, I am from Rwanda, the last of six children, all girls. I had the opportunity to study from the US since 9th grade, and found my way to Manhattanville from a small boarding school in Massachusetts. I hope to go back to Rwanda, with a broader perspective of the world, so that I can make a positive contribution to its development That is in part, the reason I chose to take this class, as I feel one can always gain from learning another ¨side of the story¨.