I blog...because the news is interesting.

Saturday, December 23, 2006

Modern Day Slavery

Though the Transatlantic slave trade ended nearly two centuries ago, the Middle Passage was not the beginning, nor end, of mankind's history with slavery. For some reason, the practice of enslaving and dehumanizing others seems to be encoded into our DNA.

In Colbert I. King's latest op-ed piece for the Washington Post (see top link), the issue of diplomatic immunity is explored. Apparently, diplomats and foreign service workers from abroad have been bringing along household help when they are placed in a Stateside position, and then denying them promised wages, adequate health and medical care, and stripping them of their working papers and passports - creating an underclass without access to basic human rights, and normally lacking the ability to find a way out.

King discusses the problem at length, and calls on Condoleeza Rice to help press the department that controls such matters into clearly defining what is covered by diplomatic immunity. King's piece ends by promising more pieces in the future, exposing this rising epidemic.

Sadly, slavery comes in many forms like the sexual enslavement of child brides and the modern day indentured servitude driven by debt.

When will we learn to free each other, and ourselves?

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Wednesday, December 13, 2006

Paid Interests in Education

According to the linked article in the Washington Post, the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) turned down 50,000 free DVDs from the team behind the documentary "An Inconvenient Truth" stating that they were concerned that "other special interests" would want to distribute items and materials as well.

Upon further investigation, the team behind the documentary uncovered that the NSTA was actually accepting financial support from a host of corporations with special interests - one of the main supporters being Exxon Mobile Corp. The article goes on to rail against the injustice being done to education by corporate interests.

Yes, the fact that freedom of speech and truthful information is being willfully camouflaged is a cause for serious concern. (And while we're at it, can we attack this Christopher Columbus as a hero myth, and start black history BEFORE the transatlantic slave trade?)

And yes, teachers should not turn down free materials that could impact the lives and choices of the students who would view these ideas at just the right age to make life altering changes.

However, let's keep some perspective here.

The people behind the documentary gave 50,000 free DVDs. Exxon Mobil has pledged 6 million thus far, and continues to do so. Teachers need resources, not just token shows of support. And for years before the documentary was produced, Exxon Mobil was there, filling a need for resources, and showing kids new ways to experience science - a tainted version, but science nonetheless.

The villian here is not Exxon Mobil, but a government system that allows our schools to be so strapped for cash that they are willing to present a coporate biased view of the world to ensure that the programs they want to promote will be able to continue year to year.

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Friday, December 01, 2006

Africa's Development

There is an article today in the NY Times (click title link above), covering the One Laptop Per Child Project.

The goal of the non-profit is to change the third world by providing technology at an affordable rate, and to put the necessary tools directly into the hands of the people who need it most - the people of the 3rd World.

There is not hard drive, no Microsoft OS, and a tiny screen. Detractors of the campaign are scoffing at the project, saying that these resources would be better put in the hands of teachers and more formalized instruction.

According to the Times, Bill Gates is even on record as questioning the principles of the project:

"And Bill Gates, Microsoft’s chairman and a leading philanthropist for the third world, has questioned whether the concept is “just taking what we do in the rich world” and assuming that that is something good for the developing world, too."

Speaking as a member of the "rich world," I cannot think of anything that would be better for the educational development of children than having access to a laptop and the internet. Having a laptop that you can use teaches a wealth of skills before you even hit the classroom - typing skills, search skills, and the responsibility that comes with taking care of something that you own.

Utilized in the classroom, it will give the resources of the world to students who may not be able to imagine a life beyond where they live. While education is important, I think it is folly to underestimate the impact of technology on the lives of students. How many bored students have created web pages, video games, and companies in their spare time, just fooling around on the tools they already have? The avenues of commerce and international trade are opened. You can correspond with people all over the globe. You can learn a language, a trade, a program, a skill - all using the internet, without the aid of a classroom.

With the internet, our favorite online library, one can get an education without formal instruction.

Personally, I am excited about the project. The potential for change is great - and at $150 a pop, what do we have to lose?

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