English as the Common Language

This last blog is going to be more of an opinion piece than a piece where I’m giving a lot of quotes out of a book or from websites to support my ideas as facts…with that being said, I highly believe in English being used in other countries, and I believe that we, as a country need to also have some languages learned, such as Spanish. “Many conservatives oppose its use, yet it must be mastered if citizens are to participate in global business and politics.” (1)

 So many immigrants come here from other countries and don’t know our language and they have to learn so much in order to communicate and connect with the new cultures they have come into. An example of this is a student I have been working with recently. She has just come to the United States from Japan and she has entered a new place, been put into a new house, a new environment, started school for the very first time EVER (she’s 4), and she’s  been given a new name as her parents wanted her to become “Americanized.” So completely unfair, she’s only been here for a week, and she’s trying to adapt and she doesn’t know a word of English.

On the complete opposite side of the scale, my husband moved here from the Philippines 23 years ago. In the Philippines, English is a REQUIRED language and is taught to citizens as young children. It’s a subject in school just like Math, Science, History, and the other topics that are taught. When my husband moved here, he was supposed to be in seventh grade, but when he was tested for placement in school, he was put into the ninth grade! He was completely prepared for school because he knew English, he only had to adapt to the new cultures that he moved into, I believe because of this it made things less stressful for him.

I think that in the global business and political arena, it is best that the language is English because it is common for all countries to use it and since so many people move around to different places, it just seems logical that there be that one common language for all to go to.

Like I said earlier however, I believe we live in a country where we need to learn Spanish as well as communicate in English. We have several people who communicate in only Spanish and as they are learning the English language, I think we should learn Spanish so that communication would be easier for all, especially for those like me who are striving to be school teachers. I think that it would make communication a lot easier. 

Question:
Do you believe that every country should learn English? Why or why not?

     Works Cited:

     (1) Rowntree, et al. Globalization and Diversity: Geography of a Changing World. New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2011

Buddhism

Buddhism was a major religion that spread throughout South Asia and later moved through other parts of Asia where it is still practiced today. By 500 CE, the religion had continued through most parts of Asia, but phased out of South Asia.

“Ancient India’s caste system was challenged from within by Buddhism. Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, was born in 563 BCE in an elite chaste. He rejected the life of wealth and power however, and instead to attain enlightenment, or mystical union with the universe.” (1)

The Buddhists believe in the Eightfold Path which consists of:

“Panna:  Discernment, wisdom:

1) Samma ditthi Right Understanding of the Four Noble Truths

2) Samma sankappa: Right thinking; following the right path in life

Sila: Virtue, morality:

3) Samma vaca: Right speech: no lying, criticism, condemning, gossip, harsh language

4) Samma kammanta Right conduct by following the Five Precepts

5) Samma ajiva: Right livelihood; support yourself without harming others

Samadhi: Concentration, meditation:

6) Samma vayama Right Effort: promote good thoughts; conquer evil thoughts

7) Samma sati Right Mindfulness: Become aware of your body, mind and feelings

8) Samma samadhi Right Concentration: Meditate to achieve a higher state of consciousness.” (2)

Question:

Why do you think that South Asia no longer practices Buddhism? Why do you believe the Buddha rejected
wealth and power?

     Works Cited:

     (1) Rowntree, et al. Globalization and Diversity: Geography of a Changing World. New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2011

      (2) Robinson, B.A. "Buddhism's Core Beliefs" Religious Tolerance. Web. 
http://www.religioustolerance.org/buddhism1.htm

The Seven-Year-Old Emperor of the Qing Dynasty

Kangxi was only 7 or 8 when he took over as
the 2nd Emperor of the Qing Dynasty.
He was one of the longest in rule, reigning for 61
years.
(google.com)

     "The most significant conquest of China occured in 1644, when the Manchus toppled the Ming Dynasty and replaced it with the Qing (also spelled Ch'ing) Dynasty. (1)

     The emperor who reigned the longest was Kangxi. He ruled for 61 years from 1661-1722. His father, Shunzi, the first emperor of the Qing Dynasty, died when Kangxi was only 7 or 8 years of age. Regents ruled until one named Oboi was imprisoned. Oboi became so dangerously powerful, he killed many of the officals. Kangxi decided at the age of 15 that it was time to rule the empire himself.

    "Many regarded him [Kangxi] as an emperor who loved his people. He was highly educated and was known as a hard working emperor who ruled diligently. He learned mathematics, geography, and science from the Jesuits, and some of them became trusted advisers and officials." (2)

Kangxi unlike other rulers who were well remembered did not kill or torture many of his people, nor in his later years did he tax heavily because his empire had enough money in their treasury.

     Under his long rule, Kangxi was able to build a dynasty that "started to prosper, dynastic succession was stabilized, and he was comparatively benevolent." (2)

     Question:
   
     Do you believe that a 7 or 8 year old could run an empire? How about a 15 year old? What do you think made Kangxi such a beloved Emperor?

     Works Cited:

     (1) Rowntree, et al. Globalization and Diversity: Geography of a Changing World. New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2011

     (2)  Zhou, Ruru.  "Emperor Kangxi" China Highlights. Web. 28 April 2012.
http://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/china-history/emperor-kangxi.htm

Agriculture in Russia

This farmland in the Krasnodar region of South Russia sees
their location possibly moving due to climate changes in
their current location changing over the past few years.
(www.fwi.co.uk)

     The key crops grown in Russia are wheat, barley, corn, rice, sugar beet, soya beans, sunflowers, potatoes and vegetables. (1)
   
     "Harsh climate and poor soils combine to limit agriculture across much of the Russian domain. Better farmlands are found in Ukraine and in European Russia south of Moscow. Portions of southern Siberia support wheat production, but yield marginal results. In the Russian far east, warmer climates and better soils enable higher agricultural productivity. (2)

     Farmers in the Krasnodar region of South Russia are experiencing significant climate change, even worse than our text, "Globalization and Diversity: Geography of a Changing World" had previously stated. They are experiencing hail and dust storms, hot winds, and uneven rainfalls along with increased temperatures over the past few years. Because of the climate change, their cereal crop has declined by 25%. Production can be relocated if the climate doesn't change in the near future. (1)

     However, even with the possibility of having to move due to the climate change, these farmers still see hope. "By 2012, Russia had become the world's 5th largest wheat exporter." (1) They believe that they can and will have the ability to double their grain harvest if they haven't already done so.

     Question:
   Why do you think Russia's climate has changed so significantly over the past few years?

     Works Cited:

     (1) "The Future of Farming in Russia." Farmers Weekly. Web. 9 December 2013
http://www.fwi.co.uk/articles/09/12/2013/142338/the-future-of-farming-in-russia.htm

     (2) Rowntree, et al. Globalization and Diversity: Geography of a Changing World. New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2011

Europe's Culture: Language, Religion, and Food.

     Europe is known for being very culturally diverse.
     They are diverse in their languages. There are three primary types of languages spoken in Europe
and they are called; Romance, Germanic, and Slavic languages. (1) "As their first language, 90% of
Europe's population speaks Germanic, Romance, or Slavic languages, all of which are linguistic groups
of the Indo-European family." (2) There are other languages spoken in Europe, and other than Austria
and Yugoslavia, those languages are named after the name of the country. German is the primary
language spoken in Austria and Serbo-Croatian is the primary language spoken in Yugoslavia. (1)
     "Religion is an important component of the geography of cultural coherence and diversity in Europe
because many of today's ethnic tensions result from historical religious events." (2)
Although Christianity is the main religion on the continent, there are also those that practice
Catholicism, Protestantism, and the Eastern Orthodox faith. Some parts of Europe also practice only
Islam. Other religions practiced in Europe are Hinduism and Judaism.(1) Because of the diversity of
religions, there has been a lot of blood shed. From the 11th century split of Christianity into the
Eastern and Western churches, the fight of Christianity and Islam, and the division in the 17th century
of Christianity into Catholicism and Protestantism, there have been many martyrs who stood up for
their faith. (2)
Even the food in Europe is so diverse that it is broken up into Central, Eastern, Western, Southern, and
Northern Cuisine. (1)

Western European Cuisine:
Belgian Carbonnade Flamande

Northern European Cuisine:
English Sunday Roast

Central European Cuisine:
Austrian Wiener Schnitzel

Eastern European Cuisine:
Armenian Khorovats (Shashlik)

Southern European Cuisine:
Maltese Octopus Stew

Question:

Why is religion looked at so differently in Europe than in America? Why are past religious events so
heavily influenced in Europe that people are still killed today for what they believe in?

  Works Cited

     (1) Rowntree, et al. Globalization and Diversity: Geography of a Changing World. New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2011

     (2)  "Facts About Europe" Buzzle.com. Web.
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/facts-about-europe.html

    (3) "European Cuisine" Wikipedia.com. Web
http://http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_cuisine

Peace for Jews, Muslims, and Christians?

There are three major religions in Southwest Asia and
North Africa. Can all three live in peace?
Photo by: sodahead.com

     There are three major religions in Southwest Asia and North Africa. All three are monotheistic beliefs meaning that they only believe in one god.
     Judaism and Christianity are the oldest known beliefs in the region with Judaism being founded 4,000 years ago and Christianity being founded 2,000 years ago. Judaism and Christianity also are strongly founded on the Holy Bible, however, Judaism only goes as far as the Old Testament, where Christianity also goes on to believe in the works of Jesus Christ and the teachings of him and his disciples that were documented in the New Testament. (3)
     "Islam originated in Southwest Asia and North Africa in 622 CE, forming another cultural hearth of global significance. While Muslims can be found today from North America to the southern Philippines, the Islamic world remains centered on Southwest Asia. Most Southwest Asian and North African peoples still follow it's religious teachings." (1)
     Why do they follow the religion so closely you may ask? It could be that Muhammad, the founder of Islam, was born in Makkah, which is right inbetween the two regions.
     Islam followers are called Muslims, and they follow the teachings received by Muhammad from Allah (God) that are in the book called the Qur'an (Koran).
     There are five basic beliefs of the Islamic faith:
      "(1) repeating the basic creed [There is no God but God, and Muhammad is his prophet)" (1)
      "(2) praying facing Makkah five times daily" (1)
      "(3) giving charitable contributions" (1)
      "(4) fasting between sunup and sundown during the month of Ramadan" (1)
      "(5) making at least one religious pilgrimage, or Hajj, to Muhammad's birthplace of Makkah." (1)
     These three major religions struggle over one of the most world-renoun areas...Jerusalem.
     Jerusalem is significant to all three religions:
     For Judaism, it is the Capital of the Jewish Kingdom. 3000 years BP, faith took form in the first temple. It was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BC and rebuilt a second time then destroyed again by the Romans in 70 AD. (2)
     For Muslims, it is where the Prophet, Muhammad was ascended into heaven in the 7th Century. (2)
     For Christians, Jesus Christ was Crusified and ascended into heaven in Jerusalem, also many of his teachings were based there. (2)
     So, here's the question:
     With all the conflict, how can all three religions share one region reasonably with no bloodshed? Can it be done?

      Works Cited
     (1) Rowntree, et al. Globalization and Diversity: Geography of a Changing World. New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2011
     (2) Sallee, David. "North Africa and Southwest Asia" World Regional Geography. Web. (Rephrased)
http://geography.unt.edu/~sallee/1200/World%20Geography%20Lesson%207%20N%20Africa%20SW%20Asia.pdf
     (3) McIntyre, Andi. "North Africa and Southwest Asia" World Regional Geography. Web. (Rephrased)
http://andmcintyre.weebly.com/north-africa-and-southwest-asia.html

A Dying Civilization: The AIDS Epidemic in Sub-Saharan Africa

AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa is a huge deal. Making Change Now
provides AIDS Education in Africa. Sub-Saharan Africa has more
 people die from AIDS per year than anywhere else in the world.
Photo by: Makingchangenow.org  

For thirty years, AIDS has become one of the deadliest epidemics in modern human history.
According to "Globalization and Diversity: Geography of a Changing World," As of 2007, two-thirds of the HIV\AIDS cases in the world were found in Sub-Saharan Africa, and it was estimated that in 2007 alone, there were 1.7 million AIDS related deaths in the region." (1)
The disease hits those from all class ranks in the area from the poor to the most educated, and life expectancy as taken a real tumble in the area averaging only 40 years of age.
Avert.org states the impact of AIDS on people who live in Sub-Saharan Africa is widespread, from life expectancy which I just mentioned, to households losing money because they are having to care for sick loved ones, overcrowded hospitals or not enough medical resources, children not able to finish school due to caring for sick loved ones or being sick themselves and dying, starting work young (age 15), and finally economic development is largely impacted because productivity is stalled,or even reversed due to the disease in various parts of the region.
Prevention has become a large part of life in Sub-Saharan Africa. Condom distribution, HIV testing and counseling both mandatory and voluntary, and also teaching mothers who have HIV how to prevent transmission on HIV\AIDS to their children.
Punishments have also been put in place in Africa for homosexuality as a way to prevent HIV\AIDS from occuring. The worse punishments are in the Sudan, "Flogging and imprisonment [Death penalty or life imprisonment for third offense]" (2) and in Mauritania, "Death by public signing" (2) Other areas imprison those who are caught in homosexual acts or even put them into labor camps.
The following is a timeline of the AIDS epidemic in Southern Africa: (Sorry I couldn't find one for just Sub-Saharan Africa)

Photo from: grafika24.com

Do you believe the punishments in Africa are too strict? How would you prevent HIV\AIDS? Do you think the precaution measures are good? How so?

      Works Cited
     (1) Rowntree, et al. Globalization and Diversity: Geography of a Changing World. New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2011
     (2) Avert.org  MSM and HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa. Web.
          (c) 1986-2014 (http://www.avert.org/msm-hiv-aids-sub-saharan-africa.htm)