Making the Invisible, Visible: The First Step

Locked in, Tricked Out: Artworks for Freedom
"They paid some fines, but only one went to jail.  For me, it’s like a lifetime fine.”

Currently, there are at least 27,000,000 people being trafficked around the world. Within those numbers, only 1-2% of those victims are ever rescued. The ones who are not rescued are forced to labour, or are sexually exploited for the gains of those greedy for money. But what is human trafficking? Human trafficking is the definition of modern-day slavery: illegal, and an act that should be stopped. Human trafficking occurs worldwide, and there is no one country that is not affected by it. Those who are trafficked are often victims to physical violence, forced labour with no pay, and have no access to human rights that has been decreed under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Human trafficking does not only impact those who are being trafficked, but to their families, those familiar to their victims, and to the public in general, even if we don't know it. I feel that the topic on human trafficking is an important issue to me because I am able to make an impact and prevent human trafficking, even if just a little, in a country where I live in such as Malaysia. Malaysia is a country in which many traffickers make as their destination for human trafficking. This not only brings down the reputation of Malaysia, but endangers the citizens of Malaysia as well. Traffickers target those living in poverty or those with middle-class educations. There are many citizens like that in Malaysia, and if we are able to bring light to the things that traffickers force their victims to do, we would be able to prevent human trafficking in Malaysia.

There were many surprising facts that I have encountered during the course of my research, such as the amount of those being trafficked (at least 27,000,00), and how hardly any of the traffickers are ever apprehended and brought to justice. While I had been aware that human trafficking occurred in the world, I had never imagined that it would be at such a large-scale, with so many people who aren't aware of this issue.  On the other hand, another thing that surprised me was that we can get rid of human trafficking in 25 years. However, that can only be accomplished if awareness is raised, and action is taken not only by organizations dedicated to helping the victims of human trafficking, but by the people around us as well.

Learning about human trafficking has increased my desire to bring awareness to this issue, and to help the victims of the traffickers. Additionally, it has made me realise how fortunate I am to live in such a sheltered environment, and to be aware of the dangers that exist out there in the world. Before we had started this research, the thought that human trafficking existed never occurred to me, along with other topics such as domestic workers. Though human trafficking is a grim and sensitive topic, I am glad that we are researching this topic because it helps me realise that not everyone in this world is as fortunate as I am, and that it takes more than a single group of people to stop human trafficking. If we are all able to work together to get rid of this problematic issue, then we can prevent anyone else from becoming victims of traffickers, and to save those being trafficked.

A Woman is Human, Just like any other Man

“I hate to hear you talk about all women as if they were fine ladies instead of rational creatures. None of us want to be in calm waters all our lives.”

― Jane Austen, Persuasion

Caring, nurturing, and delicate are just a few of the possible words that describe the common perceptions of women among society. It is necessary to have women to run a society smoothly, but despite that, many do not believe that women are equal to men, causing gender inequality. Gender inequality refers to the unequal treatment or perceptions of individual based on their gender. Out of near two billion of the world’s population living in poverty, 70 percent of those are women. [17] Only 28 women have been elected heads of state or government in this century. Women are simply disadvantaged in the educational, political, and economical functions of the world. This issue has been looked upon for many years, and many organizations are standing up and fighting for the right for women such as education and fair work.

Throughout the ages, women have continually fought for rights that should have been considered basic human needs, such as the right for education.“Two thirds of the 130 million children who do not attend school are girls.”[18] In many countries, it is illegal for the girl to be educated. Instead, they are required to stay home and learn how to do house-chores and other domestic work because of the belief that that is their role in society: to care for their families. This leads to be banning of education for girls in many underdeveloped countries such as Pakistan. Worldwide today, a significant number woman's future are in strain because they don’t get an education. “Of the world’s near one billion illiterate population, two-thirds of them are women.”[18] Most jobs require the ability to read. In order to apply for a job, one must fill out a job application in order to apply for a job. But if a woman doesn’t know how to read, she cannot apply for a job. Without education, a woman/girl’s future is extremely limited. And to the percentage of women who do receive education, there are still 70 percent of 2 billion people living in poverty after education, because gender inequality does not only exist out of school. Gender inequality continues on after education, and into areas such as jobs.


Since the 1980s, there have been more women in higher educations, and often graduating with higher degrees than men.[5] However, in the current world, education does not equal success for women, especially in the job market. “Women are often steered towards “feminine jobs” such as nurses, teachers, and secretaries; males dominate jobs such as architects, engineers, and airplane pilots.”[10] The reason for this is because women have always been traditionally viewed as being caring and nurturing; therefore designated to such occupations. Jobs such as nurses and teachers in which requires one to care for others, fit into the criteria of the society’s views. More complex jobs such as architects and engineers are considered more suitable and appropriate for the ‘hard-working’ men. While skills required to become a nurse, teacher, or a similar job are culturally valued, a woman's role is considered not as important, and therefore, worth less.“A woman earns 80 cents to every man’s one dollar.” [5] According to the International Labour Organization, women receive lower wage than men, regardless of the economical development of the country. While wages do indeed differ depending on job, a man and a woman with the same job receive a different amount of income because of the belief that men were more useful than women. In short, occupations predominated by men continue to be economically valued and pay higher wages. Because of high gender discrimination in the workplace, women often face a “glass ceiling” in the course of their careers. The Glass Ceiling is “the unseen, yet unbreachable barrier that keeps minorities and women from rising to the upper rungs of the corporate ladder, regardless of their qualifications or achievements.” Working women often face this at some point of their careers, because of the expectations brought upon them on society. This too, is another form of gender inequality spurred on by the general public.

There have been many stories concerning the issue on gender discrimination. A woman by the name of Shauna told a story on how she was refused from a job simply because she had gotten pregnant.“I interviewed at a local company...My interviewer said I'd hear within two weeks. A month went by, I figured I didn't get the job...decided to make a family with my husband...Three months later..."We'd like you to come in for one final interview....We hit some bumps in the road but now we're ready to hire for the position" and I blurted out, "But I've gotten pregnant since then!" ...He started to stumble over his words, and never came right out and said it, but I could hear he had no interest in talking to me any further.” [19] Refusing a woman simply because she is pregnant is a typical form of gender inequality. Many employers discriminate against pregnant women because they do not want someone who will most likely take time off to recover from giving birth, take care of a sick child, etc. It is because of this reason that many single-mothers live in poverty. And, not only are adult women discriminated, but girls in school too, are the victims of gender inequality.“...Declined to hear the appeal of a Texas high school cheerleader who was kicked off her squad for refusing to cheer for a basketball player accused of raping her weeks earlier.” [20] Hillaire, who had been the victim of this rape case, had been thrown off the team and denied justice that should’ve been rightly dealt because she had been a girl, a cheerleader. It is common belief that cheerleaders are simply there to decorate the sidelines and benefit the male players and fans. The simple impression that women are simply there to benefit men is what leads to gender inequality, and the belief that women are simply worth this than man, even though they are not.

Gender inequality has been a long-standing issue for many centuries. However, in the recent years, prominent organizations such as the United Nations (UN), UNICEF, UNESCO and many others, have been striving to promote gender equality. They do so through means such as education, passing legislations to illegalize issues such as domestic violence, and raising public awareness through events such as International Women’s Day.[13] Even so, gender inequality continues to persist in both developed and undeveloped countries. Vera Nazarian had once said, “A woman is human. She is not better, wiser, stronger, more intelligent, more creative, or more responsible than a man. Likewise, she is never less. Equality is a given. A woman is human.” A man is not necessarily smarter than a woman, and a woman is not necessarily smarter than a man. Neither man nor woman are created lesser or better. Yet if this is true, why does gender inequality still exist?



SOURCES:
01. http://www.unicef.org/gender/files/Overarching_2Pager_Web.pdf
02. http://www.unesco.org/new/en/social-and-human-sciences/themes/gender-equality/
03. http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=370&langId=en&featuresId=120&furtherFeatures=yes
04. http://www.unrol.org/article.aspx?article_id=28
05. http://www.harvardindependent.com/2011/12/gender-inequality-in-the-workplace-education-does-not-equal-success-1201/
06. http://www.ippf.org/our-work/what-we-do/gender/what-gender-equality
08. http://www.nyu.edu/classes/jackson/causes.of.gender.inequality/
10. http://www.ilo.org/washington/areas/gender-equality-in-the-workplace/lang--en/index.htm
11. http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/gender.shtml
12. The American People Census 2000: Gender Inequality at Work.
13. http://www.unicef.org/gender/index_25445.html
14. http://www.unicef.org/malaysia/media_5448.html
15. http://www.unicef.org/gender/gender_57854.html
16. http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/gender.shtml
17. http://www.soroptimist.org/whitepapers/wp_womenpoverty.html
18. http://www.un.org/ecosocdev/geninfo/women/women96.htm
19. http://womensissues.about.com/u/ua/intheworkplace/WorkplaceDiscriminationStories.htm
20. http://womensissues.about.com/u/ua/intheworkplace/WorkplaceDiscriminationStories.htm

Fighting for the Rights of the Disabled

Disabilities affect hundreds of thousands of people in the world in both developing and developed countries. 10%, or approximately 650 million people in the world out of 7 billion currently live with a disability.[3] People with disabilities are more often found in under-developed and developing countries, though many with disabilities reside in developed countries. Moreover, disabilities aren’t simply limited to physical disabilities. Many live with either mental, emotional, sensory and cognitive disabilities. Despite the amount of people who live with disabilities, on the whole, hardly any attempt to change their own lives and others for the better. However, there is one girl who is determined to make a change in other individual’s lives. After living her whole life with Cerebral Palsy, 2011 Peace Prize Winner Chaeli (Michaela) Mycroft dedicates her life to defending the rights of other disabled children by assisting them in acquiring equipment and physical therapy to enhance the quality of their life.[1]


Chaeli’s desire to become independent motivated her to help others with disabilities to gain their independence by acquiring equipment and physical therapy. When she was a baby, Chaeli was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy - a group of disorders that involve the brain and nervous system functions, such as movement, learning, hearing, seeing, and thinking -, making her wheelchair bound for her entire life. She didn’t want to always rely on others to move from place to place. “At the age of nine, Chaeli decided that she wanted a motorized wheelchair to become a more independent person.” [1] In order to become independent, Chaeli needed to accumulate enough money to buy her desired wheelchair, which she achieved by selling homemade postcards, cookies and flowerpots. Succeeding in raising more than enough money in seven weeks for the motorized wheelchair with the help of her family and friends, inspired her. Being able to move around in her wheelchair without any help was something that she had yearned for, and after achieving that dream, she extended her ambition to helping others with disabilities. With the help of her older sister and three close friends, Chaeli had been able to set up an organization focused on helping disabled children, called the Chaeli Campaign.“...annually helps more than 3000 children with disabilities in South Africa.”[1] A group of 22 people help children with assistant devices, therapies, and emotional support. Chaeli helps obtain custom-made wheelchairs in different forms of therapy for children in isolated communities. She educates them and spends time with them, and makes sure that children with disabilities in South Africa are able to go to school.


Children with disabilities frequently struggle to fit in with society, and Chaeli aims to make sure that children with disabilities are still able to live a normal life. Often times, children with disabilities are shunned in society simply because they are different.“...defends the rights and acceptance of disabled children.” [4] Chaeli believes in the rights and equality for all people, no matter the colour, race, or disability they may have, and that disabled children are still able to live like any other. “...are able to go to school, take part in activities, and have fun.” [4] Chaeli had been born with Cerebral Palsy, causing her to look different from other children, so she knew how it felt like to be discriminated. Because of that, Chaeli strives to make sure that children with disabilities in South Africa are still able to live a normal life. Everyone has the same needs, but people with disabilities commonly face prejudice. It was found that most women or girls with disabilities were abused at home, and that both genders were less likely to find a job. Chaeli’s campaign for impaired children, also known as the Chaeli Campaign, aims to help children with disabilities to fit in with society, and be able to play and interact like other children.


While many with disabilities live under discriminatory practices against disabled people, Chaeli Mycroft aims to change this. Her ideas and determination have inspired many disabled children and brought hope into their lives. People in the communities of South Africa who once never had a chance to acquire necessary equipment or therapy, now have essential care. The event that had spurred her on into making a difference in the lives of disabled children, has made a huge impact on the world. Chaeli’s determination and persistence enabled her to change the life of so many fellow children in South Africa. By taking a step that many others had not been able to, Chaeli has been able to enhance the quality of her life not only for herself, but for many others, too.

Sources:

1: http://www.kidsrights.org/InternationalChildrensPeacePrize/Winners.aspx
2: http://chaelicampaign.co.za/
3: http://www.disabled-world.com/disability/statistics/
4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24zQ13hQfKI&feature=youtu.be

Where I'm From

I am from the roaring waves and soft grass,

From peaceful nights and noisy days,

The creaking of swings and the splashing of water,

From the chirping of birds and the buzzing of cicadas,

And hot summers and cold winters.



I am from medals and trophies of pools,

From the gallops and pounding of hooves,

From choir and orchestras,

And from the scent of wood in newly bought books.



I am from "told you so", "speak louder", and "one more minute!"

From "you can do better," and "hey, that's mine!"

I am from loud shouts to soft whispers.

I am from bubble teas and milkshakes,

From barbeque to gumbo, 

Donuts and baguettes,

And from sneaking bits of chocolate,

In the middle of the night.

I am from the old family album,

that lives in my attic.

From the dusty picture frames,

that sits upon the walls.

I am from old and new scrapbooks,

and the things that go bump in the night.

Propaganda

"Behind the Enemy Powers: The Jews"

Propaganda is misleading or biased information used to promote a political cause or view to the general public. The poster shown above is an example of propaganda, created in 1940 by Hamil for all of Germany to view, warning them about how Jews were the cause of their demise and suffering: "Hinter den Feindmãchten: der Jude" Behind the Enemy Powers: the Jews.

In this image, there are three flags: the British, American, and Soviet flags, with a man standing behind them with a Star of David on a chain along his chest. The stereotyped Jew (large, rich-looking) is standing as a large figure behind the three flags. The Jew's expression is intimidating, as if he was planning something, and does not maintain eye contact with the viewers.


The creator of the poster, Hamil, was trying to give off the feeling of conspiracy. The Jew, dressed in a black suit, hat and drawn as a rather fat man, gives off the impression as a wealthy entrepreneur. The Jew while standing behind the British, American, and Soviet flags with his left eye at the corner of his eye, makes it look as if the Jew is planning something. At the same time, this caricature shows a Jew not only planning something, but manipulating world affairs. This makes the viewers assume that the Jews works behind the scene to control the Allied Powers to go against Germany.

This image of a Jew standing behind the Allied Power flags, could have possibly caused the Germans to become wary of their Jewish neighbor, and soon, distrust them.The way the Jew had been portrayed in the poster was what most Germans already thought of them after so many other propagandas: Rich and evil. Placing the Jew behind the Allied Powers, the cause of Germany's demise, furthered the Germans’ anger and belief that the Jews were the main cause of why they lost World War I. As a result, men and women would have kept their family away from Jews, and influence children from young ages to harbour a distrust for Jews.


This image of the poster utilizes both lies and misleading messages to create a negative impact on the impression on Jews. Utilizing the German's kindled fear for Jews and the hatred for the Allied Powers, along with the belief that Jews were the cause of the fall of the Germans' Fatherland, this poster effectively uses the belief an emotions already there and furthers it by hinting that the Jews were conspiring with the Allied Powers.

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas

"Stand up for what you believe in, even if it means standing alone."

- Unknown

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne is about two boys, Bruno and Shmuel; one who is Jew, while the other is German. They lived in the time of the holocaust, which prevented them from leading normal friendship, but they are able to become friends despite all the differences. However, even though the story is a tale about two innocent, young, and naive boys, it touched another topic outside of the two boys' lives. What especially stood out in his tale was how no one ever stood up against what was happening. Even though the adults knew what was happening, none of them ever stood up for what they thought was right.


The main reason why no one ever stood up against the Nazis for the Jews was because they were afraid. They were afraid to go against Hitler's orders, and those who supported him strongly, because they knew that if they stood up, they could just as easily be labeled a traitor, and be thrown into concentration camps like the Jews, or get killed. And while they were treating Jews with injustice, Hitler had given the citizens of Germany hope, telling them that the start of all trouble lied with the Jews, that they were the fault of everything that had happened to them after the Treaty of Versailles.

When should an individual take a stand against what he/she believes to be an injustice? I believe that there is no right time, and all that matters is that you have the courage to take a stand for what you believe in. If you don't take a stand against what you believe to be an injustice, nothing will ever change, if not get worse. In The Boy in Striped Pyjamas the movie, the mother found out from Lieutenant Kotler that they were putting Jews in gas chambers, then after their death, they cart them out to cremate the bodies. While she was horrified and disgusted by what she found out, she did absolutely nothing to try to stop it. The mother had ignored it, and tried to live her life as if nothing had happened. While she believed that the Jews were being treated with injustice, she did not take a stand against authority, and try to right a wrong.

Questioning or challenging the social order can be both a good thing or a bad thing. While you may be the only one with enough courage to question what the authority is doing, it could be enough to start a movement, and bring justice to what or who had been treated badly. However, the consequences weigh heavily, as you could be labeled traitor, or alienated by society because of what you said or what you believed in, like how the Jews were isolated from public because of their religion.

Take a Stand

Treaty of Versailles

The Treaty of Versailles: Just or Unjust?

"In the place where, in the glorious year of 1871, the German Empire in all its glory had its origin, today German honor is being carried to its grave. Do not forget it! The German people will, with unceasing labor, press forward to reconquer the place among the nations to which it is entitled. Then will come vengeance for the shame of 1919.”

- German newspaper, Deutsche Zeitung

The Treaty of Versailles was an agreement that was discussed and negotiated for months, and finally signed in Paris, France in 1919 by the Allied Powers and the Germans. Originally, the treaty between the Allied Powers and Germany was to be based on the "Fourteen Points" President Wilson of America brought up, but the French representative Georges Clemenceau, who backed the general French views with one simple belief: that Germany should be brought down so it could no longer do any harm; and English representative David Lloyd George, who supported the British want of revenge in public, but privately thought that Germany shouldn't be treated with such harsh rules.

When the German representatives arrived in Paris, France, they had been expecting to sign the points President Wilson had made. However, they had instead been greeted with a much harsher treaty with no way out. If they backed, the Allied Powers would invade their land.

The treaty included the rules such as the military forces of Germany shall not exceed 100,000 men, and that they would pay and accept responsibility of all damage caused to the Allied Powers, to name a few. In the end, Germany had to pay a total of $33 billion. Out of the 440 clauses mentioned in the treaty, 414 of them dealt with the punishment of Germany.

While they complied to the demands, they swore vengeance, as written by a German newspaper, Deutsche Zeitung:


"In the place where, in the glorious year of 1871, the German Empire in all its glory had its origin, today German honor is being carried to its grave. Do not forget it! The German people will, with unceasing labor, press forward to reconquer the place among the nations to which it is entitled. Then will come vengeance for the shame of 1919.”


Was the Treaty of Versailles just or unjust? While some people might think that the treaty was just, and that the Germans inflicted much harsher rules upon Russia, others disagree. While the Allied Powers and other smaller nations might have wanted justice and compensation for the damage World War I caused, making Germany loose land, pay $33 billion, and become in debt by themselves was not the way to go. Germany and her people took full blame of the war.


The Allied Powers may have started the League of Nations (excluding America, Germany, and USSR), but the Europeans and French wanted what was best for themselves, and not for the world itself. This reflected in the 440 clauses mentioned in the Treaty of Versailles.


The Treaty of Versailles caused many Germans to loose their money and their jobs. The economy of Germany fell, making the life of a German harsh and cruel. The Germans became desperate and angry. Not only had they lost land, but had also lost their dignity and power. They wanted revenge.


Later, Adolf Hitler rose up to power, promising the disgraced and desperate Germans power and wealth. He used the treaty as a starting point, and told the Germans that he would restore national pride and world recognition.


In the eyes of outraged citizens in countries abroad, the Treaty of Versailles may have been fair. Instead, it was much too harsh, and the treaty, instead of solving problems as it had been intended, created more.

Lost German Lands