Dear _____,
My name is Alex Acuña, I’m 17 years old, I live in Richmond and I attend St. Mary’s College High School in Berkeley California. Recently in one of my classes we have been discussing the situation in Africa, and I was very disappointed by the world’s and America’s lack of serious support. According to the NGO Action Aid, as the richest country, we give the most amount of money. However, per person Americans give about $8. Compare this to Luxembourg, for example, who gives more than $360 per person annually. We as a country promised to give .7% of our GNP in order to meet the UN’s Millennium Development Project goals of eliminating poverty by 2015. Sadly, we only give .07%. Considering that we give $22 billion per year in aid while spending $499 billion in Iraq last year, we should be increasing our funds elsewhere (but that is another issue that I know you are working hard at). Of that $22 billion, 70% is Tied Aid, meaning that the funds must go towards buying American products, which forces the aid-receivers to conform to our systems and shape how they function. On a global scale, only about 39% of Official Aid reaches its intended cause. The remaining 61% (“Phantom Aid”) goes to others sources that do not help better the situations of the people who need it. Unfortunately, in the U.S., the Phantom Aid percentage is much higher. Because of this, I encourage you to bring more attention to how the meager amount of money is being wasted, and to support some bills going through legislation.
77 million kids in the world don’t have basic education because they cannot afford it. Price of materials and ability to train and keep good teachers are also obstacles to the problem. The Education for All Act (S. 1259/ H.R. 2092) would help to provide educational opportunities for these children by increasing its importance and investment from America. It is my belief that everyone has the right to be educated and to be able to support themselves. Through teaching, the idea is, the pupils will lead healthier and more successful lives.
10 million children per year die worldwide before they reach five years old, while 500,000 mothers die in childbirth. The Global Child Survival Act (S. 1418) would require the U.S. to formulate a plan for improving child and maternal health while funding child/maternal survival organizations and investing in “proven, low-cost, highly effective life-saving interventions such as immunizations, antibiotics, clean drinking water and vitamin supplements” (one.org).
It is proven that providing economic aid for women significantly contributes in ending poverty because they tend to ensure that their children are educated and healthy. The GROWTH ACT (H.R. 2965) would help woman gain economic equality by allowing them to hold better jobs, gain more property rights, and start businesses.
Most impoverished countries sit in billions of dollars of debt and therefore cannot afford to adequately help their people in economic turmoil. Instead of truly helping, wealthy nations have tended to push loans on these countries, which push poor countries deeper into debt. The Jubilee Act (H.R. 2634) would cancel debt in 26 countries trying to meet the UN’s Millennium Development Goals. These debt cancellation funds would go towards poverty reduction and require governments to provide currant and accurate reports of how the money is being spent. In addition, the U.S. Treasury would be called upon to support 100% grants for poor countries to ensure less need for future borrowing. The Act’s strategy is proven to have worked in Zambia and Honduras.
If these acts were passed, America would truly help eliminate poverty in the world (not to mention improving our global image). I don’t feel that we as Americans are necessarily obligated to help in Africa and the world (though I think that the extreme rich should) but I feel that if we don’t help we are going against our countries values. It is also of economic interest for us, putting these countries back on their feet, because we would spend less on helping the already helped, and these new countries would flourish providing trade opportunities with us. You have been given the power to represent me, and I hope that I have convinced you that my opinions are worth supporting and fighting for to save our friends in need.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Executive Summary on Africa
As part of the UN’s Millennium Project to help eliminate poverty by 2015, Africa receives money as aid from countries all over the world. The sad truth is that fact of the matter is that this aid for the most part is not used effectively and not enough in the first place.
Most of the aid given to Africa is in the form of Phantom Aid. Phantom Aid is money that is given to support a cause, in this case lifting Africans from poverty and creating opportunities for them, but is not fully used in that caused. According to the packet, on a global scale, only about 40% of Official Aid given is “Real Aid”; that is, money that actually supports the intended cause. More than one forth of the total global aid goes to “Technical Assistance” which is basically paying people to decide what to do with the money. Technical Assistance amounts to about 47% of Official Aid given by the United States. The remaining 35 or so percent of global Official Aid goes to other things that don’t serve the cause. Regardless of how rich a country is or how much it gives, it is clear that money intended to help the poor is being wasted. In order to truly make progress in eliminating poverty, the world’s governments and people need to take the initiative to ensure aid is fully given as real aid, and to secure more to give.
As the richest country in the world, America has failed to effectively play its crucial role in helping to progress the Millennium Project. We allow a majority of the tiny amount we give to go to Phantom Aid. If the U.S. were to give .7% of its GDP as it pledged it would, to Real Aid then funds in Africa would be hugely increased. As a class we cannot dictate how aid money is dealt with. But we can take the initiative to raise awareness and outrage over how our government has dealt with aid. We can appeal to people of power to ensure that all money goes where it is intended, and we ourselves can donate and raise money to help bring an end to poverty in Africa and the world.
Most of the aid given to Africa is in the form of Phantom Aid. Phantom Aid is money that is given to support a cause, in this case lifting Africans from poverty and creating opportunities for them, but is not fully used in that caused. According to the packet, on a global scale, only about 40% of Official Aid given is “Real Aid”; that is, money that actually supports the intended cause. More than one forth of the total global aid goes to “Technical Assistance” which is basically paying people to decide what to do with the money. Technical Assistance amounts to about 47% of Official Aid given by the United States. The remaining 35 or so percent of global Official Aid goes to other things that don’t serve the cause. Regardless of how rich a country is or how much it gives, it is clear that money intended to help the poor is being wasted. In order to truly make progress in eliminating poverty, the world’s governments and people need to take the initiative to ensure aid is fully given as real aid, and to secure more to give.
As the richest country in the world, America has failed to effectively play its crucial role in helping to progress the Millennium Project. We allow a majority of the tiny amount we give to go to Phantom Aid. If the U.S. were to give .7% of its GDP as it pledged it would, to Real Aid then funds in Africa would be hugely increased. As a class we cannot dictate how aid money is dealt with. But we can take the initiative to raise awareness and outrage over how our government has dealt with aid. We can appeal to people of power to ensure that all money goes where it is intended, and we ourselves can donate and raise money to help bring an end to poverty in Africa and the world.
DP 2: What Should We Do?
The Millennium Project is huge. The 8 goals include so many things to be done by 2015, which in turn means that there is a lot that the global community can and should do. We as a class also can do things to help, such as raise and/or donate money and supplies to send over. However, from what we have learned about Phantom Aid, our efforts may be somewhat done in vain (not to say that whatever help we give is not helpful). Instead or in addition obtaining money for relief, we as a class and as informed world citizens are obligated to educate and raise awareness about the currant situation of poverty and aid in the world, particularly Africa.
One of the most unfortunate things about what is happening in Africa and in other poverty-stricken countries is that it is not well known about. All the reading we have done has been a shock to me because I pretty much knew nothing about it. In fact, I don’t think I’d heard of the Millennium Project or the UN doing something until last week. In our school community should put up posters and facts in the announcements so that students not in our classes understand what is going on. Dealing with the outside community, we should definitely as a class write letters and/or create petitions asking the government to keep its promises to give aid.
Because we have been given knowledge of the need for change in aid in poor countries, we are obligated to help raise awareness and inspire political actions.
(Other ideas to raise awareness: It may be against school rules, or even just a bad idea, but we should organize a protest or a march. Awareness T shirts → advertisement
One of the most unfortunate things about what is happening in Africa and in other poverty-stricken countries is that it is not well known about. All the reading we have done has been a shock to me because I pretty much knew nothing about it. In fact, I don’t think I’d heard of the Millennium Project or the UN doing something until last week. In our school community should put up posters and facts in the announcements so that students not in our classes understand what is going on. Dealing with the outside community, we should definitely as a class write letters and/or create petitions asking the government to keep its promises to give aid.
Because we have been given knowledge of the need for change in aid in poor countries, we are obligated to help raise awareness and inspire political actions.
(Other ideas to raise awareness: It may be against school rules, or even just a bad idea, but we should organize a protest or a march. Awareness T shirts → advertisement
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Portfolio 2: Singer on Poverty
1. Are we obligated to give to those in need?
2. Would you give large amounts of money to help someone you don't know?
3. If we have problems at home, why should we concentrate on those far away?
4. If we were all equals and without greed, would we haveincentive to produce and prosper?
5. How hard is it to improve the little things for others (e.g. making a well)?
6. Does hearing about the suffering of others affect you?
7. If I don't help those who are suffering, am I insensitive?
8. Should I listen to what others dictate what is right or should I follow my intuition?
9. If hurting someone else is helping me, should I still help?
10.Instead of helping those in need, is it good enough to simply not hurt them?
2. Would you give large amounts of money to help someone you don't know?
3. If we have problems at home, why should we concentrate on those far away?
4. If we were all equals and without greed, would we haveincentive to produce and prosper?
5. How hard is it to improve the little things for others (e.g. making a well)?
6. Does hearing about the suffering of others affect you?
7. If I don't help those who are suffering, am I insensitive?
8. Should I listen to what others dictate what is right or should I follow my intuition?
9. If hurting someone else is helping me, should I still help?
10.Instead of helping those in need, is it good enough to simply not hurt them?
Portfolio 2: Good Samaritan Interpretation
The parable of the Good Samaritan is not only a story, but a criticism of how us today, they of then, and those of time in between treat each other. The prompt for the parable is the lawyer asking Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” By this, we have already established, he is actually questioning, “and who is human?” To him and those living in his time period, your neighbor was someone within a certain city, town or other area that you lived. The priest and Levite would therefore be neighbors. The Rabbi also takes this idea of neighbor a step further by saying that some people are not his neighbors. In the parable, Jesus has the Samaritan, one who is physically and socially not a neighbor, perform a neighborly acts. This shows that everybody, including your enemy, those who don’t live near you, and those who you don’t even know, is your neighbor. Therefore, when one follows the commandment “Love your neighbor as yourself” as did the Rabbi, one should extend care and comfort to everyone.
Monday, September 10, 2007
John the Baptist
Like Mr. Sutphin for DJ HighTop, John the Baptist was the “opening band” for Jesus (except he was actually listened to).
John, like Jesus is created by the miracles of God’s workings, for his mother Elizabeth was beyond her childbearing years when she conceived. John’s father, Zachariah is told this by the Angel Gabriel, who announces that the child will be filled by the Holy Spirit while helping to unite the people in order to be “prepared for the Lord”. What Gabriel says is huge, for not only does he say that John will be distinguished amongst God’s people, but he will have the power and wisdom to shape how his neighbors view God. This is something extraordinary and would be given only to those who have a deep sense of the true nature of God. Later, when John is born, Zechariah praises God for fulfilling the prophets’ words in his son. According to him, John comes to save the people from their enemies, and to remind them of the holy covenant. Most importantly he is to “go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins . . . to guide our feet into the path of peace”. John is obviously an important guy to God. The way in which Zechariah words the sentence is interesting though, in that one can interpret before as reference to position or time. If John prepares the way, then a reference to time would foreshadow a coming of the Lord.
When John grows older he fulfills these prophecies. He advises the people to repent for their sins, and baptizes them. He guides the people who ask him questions on salvation. For example, he tells tax collectors only to what is theirs, and for those with more to share with those who have less.
From these stories of John the Baptist we can see that he was precursor to Jesus. Both figures were chosen by God to help guide the people salvation. John and Jesus also shared common teachings of forgiveness, equality, and loving one another. Though John didn’t receive the same grandeur as Jesus, it is important to acknowledge that without John’s preaching many would not have been open to Jesus’ teachings. Therefore, John the Baptist should not be remembered as the “opening band that no one listened to”, but instead “the opening band that got everyone hyped for the star performer”.
John, like Jesus is created by the miracles of God’s workings, for his mother Elizabeth was beyond her childbearing years when she conceived. John’s father, Zachariah is told this by the Angel Gabriel, who announces that the child will be filled by the Holy Spirit while helping to unite the people in order to be “prepared for the Lord”. What Gabriel says is huge, for not only does he say that John will be distinguished amongst God’s people, but he will have the power and wisdom to shape how his neighbors view God. This is something extraordinary and would be given only to those who have a deep sense of the true nature of God. Later, when John is born, Zechariah praises God for fulfilling the prophets’ words in his son. According to him, John comes to save the people from their enemies, and to remind them of the holy covenant. Most importantly he is to “go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins . . . to guide our feet into the path of peace”. John is obviously an important guy to God. The way in which Zechariah words the sentence is interesting though, in that one can interpret before as reference to position or time. If John prepares the way, then a reference to time would foreshadow a coming of the Lord.
When John grows older he fulfills these prophecies. He advises the people to repent for their sins, and baptizes them. He guides the people who ask him questions on salvation. For example, he tells tax collectors only to what is theirs, and for those with more to share with those who have less.
From these stories of John the Baptist we can see that he was precursor to Jesus. Both figures were chosen by God to help guide the people salvation. John and Jesus also shared common teachings of forgiveness, equality, and loving one another. Though John didn’t receive the same grandeur as Jesus, it is important to acknowledge that without John’s preaching many would not have been open to Jesus’ teachings. Therefore, John the Baptist should not be remembered as the “opening band that no one listened to”, but instead “the opening band that got everyone hyped for the star performer”.
Saturday, September 8, 2007
How was Jesus' experience of being a refugee or being from a refugee family important in shaping his consciousness and mission?
As a refugee, Jesus would have grown up with hardships. Being from a distant land, and speaking a different language, Jesus and his family were probably not accepted by the locals and therefore socially outcasted. Because of this, Jesus and Joseph most likely had a hard time finding work and fitting in. Earning little money in addition to leaving home in a rush and with few possessions and money, the family was poor. But being outsiders probably gave Jesus the opportunity to mingle with different kinds of people. Jesus was obviously a friendly guy and so he probably befriended many and exchanged ideas, experiences and hardships with them. This aspect of his time as a refugee gave him a respect for those who were poor, outcasted, and helpless.
Mary and Joseph as refugees and His teachers had an effect on Jesus. Jesus undoubtedly asked why they were different and. His parents would have often times told Him about Herod and the kind of horrible man he was. He heard how he placed unfair taxes on the extreme poor in order to maintain personal wealth for himself and Caesar, how he killed his own family because of their contempt for him, and maybe even how he ordered all children under the age of two in the land to be killed. His parents also taught Him about God, and his nature. It is my belief, as established in earlier assignments, that Mary was chosen because she had a different and more accurate perception of God. Mary would have taught Jesus this, especially emphasizing her points made in her speech to Elizabeth about the rich not being the powerful. This aspect of Jesus time as a refugee would have inspired a sense of rebellion within him to right the wrongs of society and maybe even to teach about God’s nature.
Mary and Joseph as refugees and His teachers had an effect on Jesus. Jesus undoubtedly asked why they were different and. His parents would have often times told Him about Herod and the kind of horrible man he was. He heard how he placed unfair taxes on the extreme poor in order to maintain personal wealth for himself and Caesar, how he killed his own family because of their contempt for him, and maybe even how he ordered all children under the age of two in the land to be killed. His parents also taught Him about God, and his nature. It is my belief, as established in earlier assignments, that Mary was chosen because she had a different and more accurate perception of God. Mary would have taught Jesus this, especially emphasizing her points made in her speech to Elizabeth about the rich not being the powerful. This aspect of Jesus time as a refugee would have inspired a sense of rebellion within him to right the wrongs of society and maybe even to teach about God’s nature.
Monday, September 3, 2007
Portfolio 1: Whose your Mama?
I perceive Mary as both heavenly and humble. We dub her the Queen of Heaven while she was a peasant. In the statue in the quad, she has a regal cloak on, with humble robes on underneath. The star patterns signify a heavenliness, and yet her eyes are still vacant and downcasted. We see Mary as our protecting mother. Mostly, I think, society views Mary as a model of obedience and faith and trust in God.
In order to make the statements she did about the powerful, Mary had to be strong and rebelious. As we know already, Mary and Joseph were poor. Also, from previous knowledge, I know that women had no rights. In order to make such a powerful statement being of those two backgrounds meant going beyond society’s limits for her. Being so key to God’s plan, Mary was probably also driven by faith or even by the Holy Spirit. Mary also demonstrated faith and strength in accepting the pregnancy because of the expected community reaction. Being pregnant and unmarried was punished by death, and so again, Mary had to trust in God to provide for her.
God may have chosen a woman like Mary for many reasons. It may be that she was, as we are taught, without sin. But then again we are taught that Mary was born without sin, unlike anyone else. This means that Mary would have been chosen before she was concieved. So if that were true, then God guided her and shaped her throughout her life to be the way he wanted. I would like to not think this is the case. Instead I think that God chose Mary because she was a normal woman. She was poor, like so many others and so she and Jesus could identify with their struggles. She had a strong faith in Him, and yet so did so many other women did at the same time. I think the main reason that Mary was chosen was that she understood God. In the Magnificat, Mary proclaims all these things that God does and will do. This may be as a result of God's guidance, but regardless, Mary was chosen to birth Jesus and we trust in God for his decision.
In order to make the statements she did about the powerful, Mary had to be strong and rebelious. As we know already, Mary and Joseph were poor. Also, from previous knowledge, I know that women had no rights. In order to make such a powerful statement being of those two backgrounds meant going beyond society’s limits for her. Being so key to God’s plan, Mary was probably also driven by faith or even by the Holy Spirit. Mary also demonstrated faith and strength in accepting the pregnancy because of the expected community reaction. Being pregnant and unmarried was punished by death, and so again, Mary had to trust in God to provide for her.
God may have chosen a woman like Mary for many reasons. It may be that she was, as we are taught, without sin. But then again we are taught that Mary was born without sin, unlike anyone else. This means that Mary would have been chosen before she was concieved. So if that were true, then God guided her and shaped her throughout her life to be the way he wanted. I would like to not think this is the case. Instead I think that God chose Mary because she was a normal woman. She was poor, like so many others and so she and Jesus could identify with their struggles. She had a strong faith in Him, and yet so did so many other women did at the same time. I think the main reason that Mary was chosen was that she understood God. In the Magnificat, Mary proclaims all these things that God does and will do. This may be as a result of God's guidance, but regardless, Mary was chosen to birth Jesus and we trust in God for his decision.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)