SJS 8 - "Overcoming Cuba's Internal Embargo"

Source:

Henken, Ted A., and Archibald R.M. Ritter. "Overcoming Cuba's Internal Embargo."
Current History 114.769 (2015): 73-76. Print.

Author Credentials:

Ted A. Henken was previously the president of the Association for the Study of the Cuban Economy, and is now currently an associate professor of Sociology and Latin American Studies at the university of Baruch, New York. Archibald R.M. Ritter received his doctorate degree of development economics from the University of Texas, and specializes in development issues in Latin America, more specifically Chile and Cuba.

Summary:

This journal article is about the destruction of the United States – Cuba trade embargo, and how the next major step for Cuba is to release their own embargo that they placed upon themselves. The article begins by giving a brief background on the steps taken by Raul Castro, the current president of Cuba, to modernize the country. One example given by the authors was about how Cuba has been allowing its citizens to follow their entrepreneurial lifestyles. The authors then go on to talk about the opening up of the internet into the secluded island state. Henken & Ritter tell the reader about the new fiber-optic internet line that runs from Venezuela to Cuba, and the fact that there have been over 100 internet cafes opened throughout the country.

Analysis:

The authors of the article present a very strong argument as to where the Cuban government needs to go next in order to assimilate into the new modern world. They argue that the next step for the Cuban government would be to allow American investment and technology into the country. The authors provide sufficient evidence to support this, with a mini time line leading up to the present day (as of publishing). This allows them to present their next logical step for Cuba in a fluid manner.  

PDP8 - Slavery and the Slave Trade of Brazil

Author Bio:

Thomas Nelson, the author of this excerpt, provides firsthand experience about his journeys aboard the H.M.S. Crescent, a British ship used to search suspected slave transporting ships. His position on the ship was the surgeon and inspected the treatment and health of the illegal slave ships. Since this is a firsthand account there is bias present, however it helped describe the horrible treatment of slaves while they were transported across the ocean. I believe with these firsthand accounts he is more than qualified to discuss this topic.

Date/Context:

This article takes place in the 1840s during the ending of slavery in Brazil. Thomas Nelson was a surgeon who's job was to inspect possible illegal slave transport ships traveling to Brazil to sell slaves.

Summary:

Thomas Nelson was a surgeon aboard the H.M.S. Crescent who's job was to inspect the treatment of slaves being transported to Brazil illegally. He wrote about his one trip onto a illegal slave transporting ship and found horrific conditions. There were about five hundred people crammed in the ship. They had no room to eat or use the bathroom and had to stay confined in those quarters for weeks. When he entered the ship he said it smelled as if people were rotting, this is because they were. People were so close together that many would suffocate or die of various diseases and be left there. He stresses that this is an ongoing problem and is cruel and inhumane.

Key Quotation:

"The stench on board was nearly overwhelming. The odor of the negroes themselves, rendered still stronger by their filthy and crowded condition, the sickening smell of the suppurating stage of smallpox..."

PDP 6 - Two Nations

Author Bio: Muhammad Ali Jinnah is the leader of the largest religious minority, which is the Muslims. He was also leader of the Hindu militancy who spawned the emergence of the Muslim League. Jinnah was a prominent attorney and an early leader of the Congress Party. He may have some bias due to the fact that he was the leader of the Muslims, who were the religious minority. This may cause him to be sensitive to religious discrimination and also exaggerate events to make sure that his followers were always in the right.

Date/Context: The document discusses the events that occurred during 1930s within India. For decades the British government and Parliament have brought up and created settled ideas about India's future. British had produced the constitution that was envisaged in the Government of India Act of 1935, which was a serious blunder. The Hindus and Muslims are in conflict because of there different cultures.

Summary: Islam and Hinduism are at a disagreement. The Hindus do not understand the real nature is Islam. They both have distinct and different social orders, and it is a far fetched idea that Hindus and Muslims can evolve into a common nationality. Jinnah discusses the idea of a common nationality is near to impossible and will be the cause of most of your troubles. It will lead to India's destruction if they are unable to revise their ideas in time. He continues, The Hindus and Muslims belong to two different religious philosophies, social customs, and literature. Jinnah also says that Muslim India cannot accept any constitution that will result in a Hindu majority government.

Key Quotation: "To yoke together two such nations under a single state, one as a numerical minority and the other as a majority, must lead to growing discontent and final destruction of any fabric that may be so built up for the government of such a state"

SJS7 - China's Bullying No Match for US Pacific Power

Source: Cumings, Bruce. "China's Bullying No Match for US Pacific Power." Current 

     History 113.764 (2014): 245-51. Print.  

Author Credentials: Bruce Cummings is a renown intellect in the field of foreign relations

 and international studies.

 With this being said, he has written numerous books concerning the region of Asia. He is a 

professor of history at the 

University of Chicago.

Summary: The article offers an interesting assessment of China's role in the Pacific 

concerning U.S. dominance. 

The author compares and provides many examples of U.S. and Chinese capabilities, 

analyzing economic, military, or political factors 

that contribute to a Chinese inferiority 

to U.S might in the region. With this 

being said, the author also highlights 

many reasons that make the Pacific a "U.S. Lake." Cummings' also mentions

 Japan and it's role in the "containment" of China. Such provides 

interesting context when looking at the 

events going on in the South China Sea and indeed formulating strategies in 

confronting China over it's aggressive actions.  

Analysis: Cummings listed many good points that analyzed both the historical 

context and the realty of today. 

Such remarked upon factors that make China second to the United States. 

It was refreshing to have an 

expert opinion on the topic. Cummings was subjective, and provided a 

powerful insight into the actualities of the situation. 

I apologize in advanced for the format. Ask me if I know how to fix it. 

SJS 8 - The Long Struggle for Mexican American Rights

Source: Alexandra Délano. "The Long Struggle for Mexican American Rights." Current History Vol. 114, Issue No. 769. February 2015. Pg. 77-79. 

Author Credentials: Alexandra Delano is very qualified to provide an unbiased account of information regarding the struggle for Mexican rights in the United States because she is an assistant professor of global studies at the collegiate level. She also acquired her doctorate's degree from Oxford University in the field of international relations, which involves human interactions such as immigration and foreign rights. Being involved in teaching related subjects as well, I found this woman to appear to be very qualified and informative, reinforcing the validity of the article. 

Summary: The author argues that despite the relatively large minority that Mexicans compose in the population of the United States, the Mexican-American people are not fairly represented, are granted less rights, and face racial discrimination. She reinforces her argument by stating that although the Mexicans in the U.S. are the second largest Hispanic population in the world and are predicted to rise to approximately one third of the U.S. population by 2060, it is wrong that Spanish has not become a second official language, which she believes is unfair. As perceived in the public eye, Mexicans are hard working manual laborers, and are considered to only be of use when concerning "busy work" which may be regarded as below the white men. Many Americans also grow wary of the increasing Mexican population in America, and are fearful of a revolution, in which the Hispanics fight to regain their previously owned territory. Despite the Mexicans' supposed unfair treatment in the United States, the author, who appears to be of Hispanic descent, strongly believes that Mexicans provide much cultural, political, and economic contributions to the United States. 

Analysis: Yes, it is evident that the author makes a strong argument in supporting the equality of rights for Mexicans in the United States, but her personal background and tone of voice contributes negatively to the article, providing readers with what I would consider a difficult to support argument. Being of Hispanic descent herself, and myself being of non-Hispanic descent, it is inevitable for disagreements to arise, as both parties will bring forth bias alongside their arguments, oftentimes relating back to their origins and beliefs based on their race. 

PDP7 - The Vietnamese Declaration of Independence

Author Bio: Ho Chi Minh was a famed Vietnamese nationalist leader, founder of both the French and Vietnamese Communist parties. When writing Vietnam's Declaration of Independence, he sought to make his country free from French rule and away from a dark, colonial history.

Date/Context: The document marks the emergence of a new brand of thinking in the aftermath of World War II. Still prior to the Cold War, Ho Chi Minh had received U.S. aid in the fight against Japan. With this being said, Ho Chi Minh was a Communist, yet instilled both many U.S. and French values in his Declaration.

Summary: The Declaration basically highlight's Ho Chi Minh's grievances against the French and colonialism as a whole. It specifically points out key instances, mentioning forces present at the end of World War II, like the Japanese, French, and the U.S. Minh forms a bold statement on behalf of the Vietnamese people of their freedom and rights to be independent.

Key Quotation: ''…we repeal all the intentional obligation that France has so far subscribed to on behalf of Vietnam and we abolish all the special rights the French have unlawfully aired in our Fatherland."

PDP8- Second Declaration of Havana Cuba

Author Bio: Fidel Castro when he made this declaration had recently led a revolt against the government of Cuba, he succeeded and overthrew the old government and established a communist government. He felt that the rest of the countries in the Western Hemisphere should follow his and Cuba's example because he did not believe in the governments in the west such as the United States and felt like they should recognize him and his country.

Date/Context: February 4th 1962, this was soon after Cuba became a Communist country, the only communist country in the Western Hemisphere. Castro was threatening the other countries in the Western Hemisphere and challenging them to accept his country as a communist government.

Summary: Castro is sending out his declaration defending his statements about revolutions he felt should be taking place in other Western Hemisphere countries. He says that his revolution was led by the people and that other countries should follow Cuba's example and their people should revolt against governments that Castro felt limited the people.

Key Quotation: "Revolutions are not exported; they are made by the peoples."