Blog 13 Ethnic Division in Jos, Nigeria Again

Recetly in the city of Jos, Nigeria 15 people were killed due to ethnic division. The violence took place after members of the murder of three Berom teens by the Fulani. A police officer and four children were killed. Over 20 buildings were burnt during the violence. As a result, the military was called in to take control. The city was placed on an 24 hour curfew. The groups have clashed because Fulanis are muslims and Beroms are christians living in the same area.

This is a global social problem because, this is a reacurring issue in Jos. This isn't the first time a large number of people and children have been killed in the city. The government no longer has control over the people within the city. Past reports suggested that the government had an answer for the violence and division but now the police and young children are being killed. The government needs to take complete control back over the city before more people are killed. They should find a way to handle the tension between the Fulanis and the Beroms to take control.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/Africa/15-killed-in-ethnic-violence-in-Nigeria/Article1-773719.aspx

Blog #11 Teens Take Over Lae, New Guinea

On November 3rd, a group of teens petitioned the provincial government and expressed their concern for rising crime levels in Lae, New Guinea. They were not happy with the response and they terrorized the city for three days. They threw stones at the governmnent buildings and oncoming traffic.  Recently, the Highlanders moved into town and their has been  ethnic tension rising since. After the response, they went to the homes of the Highlanders and destroyed their property. They reportedly harassed buses and mugged people.Nine people were killed and they burned houses and destroyed property. Almost 1,000 people have been left homeless without drinking water or food. Prime Minister, Peter O'Neill threated to place Lae under state of emergency. A man threatened police with a gun and they had no choice but to shoot him.

This is a reoccuring issue because when the citizens are not satisfied with government decisions they either handle it peacefully or take control. In this situation, the teenagers took complete control over the city. They were very serious about their petition because they were attacking police and government officials.The citizens believed that the government was ignoring the problems that the Highlanders were causing. Police should have took control of the situation early on because they wouldn't have to handle this issue now. The Highlanders not being native is a major issue with ethnic division. People aren't accepting of outsiders especially when they cause problems within the city. This is a global social issue because we need to learn how to live with one another in this world. The article didn't really come from the Highlanders perspective. They probably weren't causing problems within the city at all. The people were upset that a large amount of new people were moving into their land.  We always try to make social classes and look down upon people that don't have the same beliefs and characteristics that we do.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/ethnic-violence-in-papua-new-guinea-leaves-nine-dead-6258716.html

Blog Post #10: NYPD Keeping Track of Name Changing Muslims

For years, immigrants have changed their names to overcome anytype of racial profiling. Recently, the CIA has been tracking every Muslim that changed their name. Police investigate individuals that changed their names or took Arabic names. Early in the investigation, police automatically added people with American names to the list to avoid being accused of racial profiling. Paul Brown, NYPD spokesperson, didn't respond to whether the process was legal or was it actually successful in finding any terrorist. The police department has always been required to have a federal court order when investigating citizens. Representitive Yvette Clarks, and Rush Holt believe that the NYPD's actions are of racial profililng and they have asked that the Justice Department investigate.

 

This is a social issue because many ethnicities believe that they are wrongfullly profiled. This is a reoccuring issue and minorities of the population have been effected by it. Many immigrants were trying to escape being ridiculed to fit into American society.  I have a friend that is Japanese and Hispanic and he took his fathers name. He came to America at a young age and he was constantly picked on a harassed by the other children. He said that his older sister would be turned down from jobs because she had a hispanic name and employee's believed that she wasn't "capable" of filling the position. Recently, he changed his name to Kevin, whick is an Americanized name. The basis of America is that we are the land of the free and we accept all kinds of people. But, it isn't right for them to have to change their name because they are being excluded and then be put under police investigation. Blacks and Hispanics in New York are being racially profiled based on the past discussion that we had. Hispanics in the west are being profiled and deported. This is an serious issue now in America and it needs to be addressed.

 

 

 http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2097881,00.html#ixzz1cfYA3Gpu

 

Week 9: Political Campain in Kyrgyzstan

In Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan a crucial election took place on Sunday. The people of Asia are seeking new political answers because their country has been in turmoil for the past year. The people just want peace. Many people are worried that the political election will expose the ethnic division in Bishkek. After violence in April 2010, ethnic division has occured between the Krgyz and Uzbeks whick has lead to nearly 500 death. The campaing is stiff between the north and south. Candidates have said that they will reject any results that they consider to be illegitimate.  Kyrgyszstans willl soon have close ties to Russia. Leaders have pledged to join Russian unions with Kazakhstan and Bekarus. A large number of Kyrgyz make money in Russia and send it back to support their families.
This is an exampe of ethnic political division because the north and the south are divided between the Krgyz and Uzbeks. One ethnicity will benefit from the election,. The politicians also have control because if they don't win they could immediately say that the results have been tampered with. This election isn't going to relieve the citizens of the problems but further cause issues. Which ever candidate that wins, ethnicity will benefit the most from it. The U.S. and Russia are largely involved with the political campaign. They are monitoring the votes to make sure that the campaign is legit. This doesn't help the violence between ethnicities. Since the violence in April 2010, Kyrgyzstan hasn't had a political election based on the violence against politicians last year.

 

Week 8: Mass Murder of Women and Children in Nigeria.

                     This past week near the city of Jos Nigeria, hundreds were attacked and murdered. Men that came from near by hills attacked villages with machetes. They burned down villages and when people came of their homes, they were sliced by machetes. Adviser Dan Mangang, reported that there has been 95 arrest but 500 people have been killed. Troops were able to get villages under control. The majority of the victimes were women and children. Chief Gabriel said that there has been threats of more attacks. He received text messages from people that claim responsibilty for the murders this week.
                 This is a global social problem because over 500 children and women have been killed. A large number of people have been effected. This causes issues globally because the mass murder of children isn't just relevant in Nigeria. This ethnic division is a reocurring issue. The first step is division and it then turns to mass murders. Earlier this month, over 700 people were killed in Karuchi, Pakistan. There needs to be stronger regualations because this is a violation of human rights. Who are we supposed to turn to when people are being murdered in our country? What are we supposed to do when the leaders of murdered? Their needs to be a call of action globally. Every week their is another group that has had a large number of their population murdered due to ethnic division.

Blog 7:Karuchi, Pakistan Divided to Ease Ethnic Tension

                Last week, corruption in Karuchi, Pakistan was out of control. Local politicians were being killed by political gangsters. Many people were unemployed, homeless, and starving. The people were forced to move in the slum of the city were all of the bloodshed and fighting occured. On October 12,the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan proposed that Karachi be divided into three separate districts- Karachi, Lyari-Keamari and Malir. These areas will be headed by a division commissioner and also headed by elected nazims. Concerned citizens of the country proposed the new plan. The citizens were led by Dr.Kaiser Bengali and they thought that the Defence Housing Authority didn't have the best plan for the majority of the population. Dr. Bengali insists that the bounderies are not ethnically divided. An issue that came up, was that the addition of the new areas would further division because specific parties would benefit.
                 The citizens of Karuchi were able to make their own proposals of how to resolve the violence issue. Althought their efforts are commendable, this will further cause division within Karuchi.  The development of new cities will put opposites against each other and further cause conflicts. Division is not the solution for an issue. Whenever a citizen from another city goes "out of bounds" then they may be put into physical danger. The city is very violent and division will only be a short term relief. Another issue is how corrupted their government is. The citizens don't believe that their best wished are at hand. The citizens need to make a plan to handle the ethnic conflicts because this is a very recent problem. This needs to be handled before it gets very serious such as, opposing areas burning down, or bombing homes. Division puts ethnic groups in centralized areas to be attacked. An opposing group will be able to harm and make damage to the target only. Innocent civilians will be randomly targeted based on their district. The long-term effects of this proposal will do major damage to the people of Karuchi.

Blog #6: Mass Murders in Karachi

              The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP)  recently came to an agreement on the local governement system. They reached a conclusion after months of ethnic division in Karachi. Division occured after the MQM left the governement which was led by the PPP. Between January and August, the Human Rights Comission of Pakistan reported over 800 people were killed in Karachi. Amongst the dead, former parliamentarian and PPP member Waja Karim Dad, was shot dead in Kharadar. Violence continued to erupt in the city between the Baloch and the Muhajirs. As a result of the violence, the majority of the city's people must deal with unemployment, poverty, rising food and energy prices, and power cuts. Many of the poor residence are overcrowding in places like Orangi where they don't have clean drinking water. The cities wealthiest neighborhoods are untouched by the violence.
               The violence that is going on in Karachi is a violation of human rights. The citizens are afraid because the political leaders are being killed. The citizens have no protection and are terrorized by political gangsters. The large number of people that are being killed, is starting to be closely related to genocide. Because over 1,000 people have been killed since January. This is a social issue because a large number of people are without jobs and starving. They're also don't have clean drinking water. The majority of the people in the cities now live in the slums and the number is continuing to grow. Another social issue is inequality. The poor, have  to live with all of the killings within their community while the wealthy are not even effected. The only answer for the social issues in Karachi is for the citizens to take control of the corruptions in politics.
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2011/aug2011/paki-a24.shtml


 

NYPD Profiling Specific Citizens Ethnic Group

              Recently in New York, the police have been using video surveilence to monitor specific ethnic groups behavior. The Associated Press obtained months worth of police documents. The NYPD has a program that has been documenting the daily life of possible terrorist based on ethnicity. The documents showed where people worked, prayed, and even got their hair cut. Police have been photographing Moroccans specifically. Police have photos of restaurants and grocerie stores that serve Moroccans. The purpose of this operation is to only followed leads when investigating terrorism. Police officers have violated the code because now peoples daily activities are being stalked and specific locations are targeted by police.
              This situation is very similar to our group discussion board. We examined how black people were treated when shopping, and how a severly beaten hispanic was completely ignored. I understand that the police are trying to stay ahead of terrorism but there is regulations that need to be followed. Moroccans also have personal freedoms and not all of them are terrorist. This is an issue because of the 9,000 Moroccan citizens of New York are being wrongfully profiled based on their race. The police are stalking them and they can no longer peacefully live their lives. I think that police should just stick to the leads on terrorism and not the daily lives of individuals. Following people to the gym and targeting areas based on where ethnicities hang out is a violation of personal freedom. This is an reoccuring issue in the U.S.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/feedarticle/9863130

Blog #4: Recent Murder of Afghan Former President Increases Ethnic Tension

Alisha Lipscomb
9/23/11

              On September 20th 2011, the Taliban murdered former Afganistan  president Burhanuddin Rabbani.  There has been tension between the North and Taliban for years. Rabbani was president from 92'-96' during the countries bloody civil war. The people are upset with the North because for years their countrie has been a killing zone, while the leaders are not being directly affected. Afgan people said that they should get rid of the killers that halted the countries growth for years. For years, the North has tried to reconcile with the Taliban. With the murder of the former leader the Taliban has sent a clear message that peace is not an option. Two Taliban fighters that posed as insurgents entered to speak to Rabbani and had bombs hidden under their turbans. Now that the leader has been killed this send a message to Anti-Taliban forces that they can't rely on the governement. This will force them to form their own small groups which will further fuel ethnic division in Afghanistan.
              This is a global social issue because the Taliban is mudering country leaders leaving thousands of people in danger. They're not willing to negotiate until U.S troops leave which means that they can further murder and kill political leaders. This will soon be a major global social issue when the soldiers leave because there will probably be a bloody civil war that will further U.S involvement in Afghanistan. Multiple countries will be influenced because of U.S invovlement.

Blog Post #3: Survey Polls Reveal Ethnic Division in America

              Ten years after 9/11, a recent survey revealed that the U.S. is still ethnically biased and divided. In a report called “What It Means To Be American,” a survey polled Americans and their views of other ethnicities. Of the people surveyed over 80% of the people said that they have "favorable opinions" of African Americans, Hispanics, Catholics, and Jews. Surveyers were asked if they believed discrimination was a critical issue today and  17% of whites said yes, 42% of Hispanics and 53% of African-Americans also agreed. 
            These statistics are relevant because a large amount of our population believe that they are being discriminated against. This is a global social issue because America is supposed to be the land of the free and everyone is supposed to be accepted regardless of their race, creed, or religion. But, thats not really whats happening. If we're supposed to be the leaders of acceptance then what does these figures suggest about the rest of the world. America isn't really as bright as what it seems. Many people leave their homes and native countries to come to America to have a better standard of living. But, when they get here they're discriminated against at school, work, and throughout their everyday lives. In the survey, 17% of whites believe that discrimination is an issue while 53% of African-Americans feel as if they have been targeted. African-Americans are no longer being outwardly discriminated against like in the 50's because of civil rights.This shows that we still have division almost 60 years after the civil rights movement. Now, America is targeting Mexican-Americans.  How long is it going to take for Hispanics to be accepted? Ethnic division in America is an issue because it will take centries before we are willing to truly accept all other ethnicities.

http://swampland.time.com/2011/09/06/diversity-in-the-u-s-americans-getting-along-but-divisions-remain/#ixzz1YCYIpdce

Blog Post # 2 Turmoil in Iran

             In Iran, the Kurds and Azeris are two distinct ethnic groups that are located in Iran's northwest region.The two groups are not in alliance with each other but they do share Lake Orumieh, which has caused much turmoil. Lake Orumieh is Irans largest lake and citizens were upset after pictures were revealed the shrinking lake. It has lost half of its size due to extensive dam-building and drought. The lake could disappear in a few years and displace 14 million people. The residents believe that the government isn't doing much to save Lake Orumieh. The government feared that the conflict over the lake would lead to division in East and West Azerbaijan. On September 3rd, protesters and officers clashed. Over 60 people were arrested. The officers used ammunition to control the crowd and 13 people taken to the hospital for gunshot wounds.
              The ethnic division crisis in Iran is a social problem because the lake is a natural resource that will take years to replenish and over 14 million people will be affected. Based on the fact that its the largest lake in Iran I do believe that, the government should take the situation a little more seriously. The people within the country are doing was they should do and protect their home. The poblem with this issue is that its a natural occurence. The govenernment can't control the drought but they can control dam-building. The people of the country really have no control because officers always have the upper-hand. Since 1991, the Azeris have had tension. The government believes that the US. and Israel are using this to stir up separitist sentiment. Ethnic division is just the beginning of the tension in Iran.

Blog 1: Ethnic Division In the Ivory Coast

After the presidential elections of 2010, the Ivory Coast has been in a turmoil after former leader Laurent Gbagbo refused to give up his position. Since December 2010, over 30,000 citizens have gone to refuge camps to escape all of the violence in the Ivory Coast. There has been ethnic division for many years. The area was struck with the backlash of Gbagbo supporters and they are trying to still uphold his policies. Current leader, Allasane Ouattara, is trying his best to get the Ivory Coast to a stable state. Gbagbo supporters are at war with Ouattara's northern support base. The two groups fight over land and natural resources. Now that Ouattara is in office he has appointed his supportes to hold offices within the governement which has furthered conflict. The two rivals have killed over 1,000 people and mass graves have been uncovered in the Coast. Outtara plans to install eight military bases to control the two rivals.

The ethnic division in the Ivory Coast is social issue because the things that are taking place is negatively impacting society as a whole. Over 30,000 people left their homes. The opposing groups have burned down thousands of homes so the citizens have no where to return to. The people have personal problems because they have lost their family members to this violence. For the past year, reporters have documented the issue but there has been no action other than the presidents plans. A significant number of people have negatively been impacted. The people have no power in this rebellion because Gbagbo's supporters have military machinery and is using it on the people of the country. For this ethnic division to be resolved ruler Ouattara must stay true to his word and use military force to first resolve the increasing number of unruly deaths in the country.

http://www.times.com/time/article/0,8599,2082855,00.html