Articles I Found Intriguing

Indymedia US
Seattle Students Walkout against the Iraq War
http://seattle.indymedia.org/en/2007/04/259253.shtml

I found the article, Seattle Students Walkout against the Iraq War, inspiring. I know that the Iraq War is very controversial and even I have mixed feelings about it. However, reading about students in high school and college who really believe in ending the war caused me to want to take action for my beliefs as well. This walkout story captured my action because people my age organized the event and were the major participants. I find it really admirable that these students were not only voicing their opinions, but also doing something about them. This article also raised a pressing question for me: Do we have military recruiters at Santa Clara University? I do not know, but to be honest, I don’t think I’d want them on our campus either because I am a strong believer in anti-war.


The Zapatistas
The Zapatista Women by Paula Gross
http://www.zmag.org/content/Chiapas/grosso_zapatista-women.cfm

I have to admit that before visiting this site I had no idea what the Zapatista movement was or that it even existed. Now, I have a better understanding. I was drawn to Paula Gross’ article, The Zapatista Women, because as an English major at Santa Clara University I’ve focused on women and gender studies. Also, as I read the article I realized that it was a personal account of Gross’ observations of a specific Zapatista community and I was immediately intrigued. However, by the end of the article I was somewhat let down because the majority of the text was solely about the Zapatista movement in general and only a slight portion devoted to women’s role in this movement. I found it very interesting, however, that the part that was dedicated to women’s issues discussed “the struggle to preserve traditional roles with modern liberal feminism.” This line stuck me because in every community there seems to be confliction between traditional feminine roles and feminism. Even here in America, this issue is still prevalent. It was just nice to know that feminism has made a mark on the Zapatista community was well, even if it is a troublesome identity.


Durban Shack Dwellers' Movement
Unfreedom Day by Abahlali
http://www.abahlali.org/node/26

Abahlali’s posting, Unfreedom Day, was very moving. I took African Literature last quarter and so I have a fairly good understanding of the situation in South Africa. This event, which Abahlali examines, is a testament to the courage of the African people and of their hope for a better future despite political unrest. To come together and stage an event of poetry, music and theater, amidst a time of utter turmoil is remarkable. These people are so strong. I was very impressed by Unfreedom Day because it demonstrates how humans can bond together to overcome adversity, if even for a day.