WE LIVE
ONE WORLD Fall 2013
Fall 2013 Volume 7. Issue 1. Editor-in-Chief Mary Shannon Creative Director Coeli O’Connell Managing Editor Maggie Hazzard Local Section Editor Louie Hotop International Section Editor Kate Essig Associate Editor Taylor Jackson Editorial Consultant Julia Brucks Copy & Content Editors Rosie Hodes Olivia Breting Assistant Copy & Content Editor Olivia White Design Editors Lauren Seiler Clair Thibaudeau Photography Editor Sanjana Shah Campaign Directors Anna Doré Megan Von Borstel Public Relations Directors Molly Caldwell Caitlyn McNeil Finance Director Tyler Rickett Founder & Visionary Jesse Sullivan Interested in joining the OneWorld team? Send us an email at oneworldmagazine@gmail.com Front cover photo attributed to Laura De Mondesert, Honduras Back cover photo attributed to Carly Rohs, Hungary
21 Letter from the Editors Dear Readers, As the Millennial generation, we have the opportunity and obligation to ensure that progress does not plateau. There are 90 million of us, and with our combined strength, talent and ambition, we can create a more tolerant and just society. Progress is changing the language behind the “Delmar Divide.” Progress is wearing a hijab fearlessly. Progress is logging off of social networks and engaging in active social change. Progress is possible. We express our gratitude to our sponsors from the Center for American Progress — Generation Progress and the Saint Louis University College of Arts and Sciences, the Cross Cultural Center, the Division of Student Development and the Center for Service and Community Engagement. A special thanks to Dr. Bryan Sokol for his continuous support and guidance. Without the collective efforts of these individuals, departments and organizations, OneWorld would not be possible. We hope this publication, a Millennial creation, not only informs you of pertinent social justice issues, but also inspires you to take action in your community. Our time is now. liveOneWorld, The Editorial Team
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table of
CONTENTS
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3 Is ROTC AMDG? Theresa Martin
5 The Wedding She Never Dreamed Of Sanjana Shah
7 Water Fight
Arjun Kaverimanian
9 gENDercide Mian Li
11 Blurred Lines Caroline Belden
13 Contemporary Imperialism Hannah Wiley
15 The American Dream vs. The Immigrant’s Reality Erin Twiehaus
17 Modest Empowerment Meredith Hargis
19 Slacktivism
Pallavi Vishwanath
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Is ROTC
AMDG?
AMDG: Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam, “For the greater glory of God”
Photo by Coeli O’Connell
Theresa Martin
“We can’t start by saying [that ROTC] times, not because we wish to destroy, is a common thing for universities, but because we need to protect.” or a way of being patriotic,” he said. Ebinger, on the other hand, does The Reserved Officers Training “Those aren’t the bases for who we are not view the military as a means of Corps (ROTC) is a program that trains as a university, so it forces us to ask protection but as an agent college students for military leadership. the question, ‘What sorts of messages of destruction. ROTC first came to Catholic campuses are we sending by [having ROTC on “Its goals are to pave the way for U.S. in the 1940s, but resistance developed campus]? And are these decisions in line domination,” Ebinger said. “Its way of in the 1960s as many universities with what we are promoting as doing this, simply, is murder—murder discontinued the program to protest the a whole?’” of thousands of innocent civilians in the war in Vietnam. Jason Ebinger, a sophomore SLU name of self-defense. It does not matter There is precedent to oppose ROTC student, does not believe the two if you try to shape people in a Jesuit on Catholic should coexist. “It manner if you are also training them to campuses. is impossible for the kill—it is in vain.” “It is impossible for the aims and aims and means of Commonly, In the face of a violent world, then, the arguments what must be done to promote peace? means of the military to be in line the military to be in question with the Jesuit Dorr believes that violence is not the with the Jesuit motto, ‘For the line the moral motto, ‘For the greater answer. “If we do away with ROTC greater glory of God.’” implications glory of God,’” programs because violence is wrong, of a military he said. “Military we ourselves fail to wrestle with that - Jason Ebinger presence at a service, in light of ultimate challenge: am I willing to give Catholic institution. They ask, is this, is utterly paradoxical.” my life to the confrontation of injustice ROTC AMDG? Ebinger said that while Jesus in the world?” A current ROTC student at Saint promotes a message of nonviolence, Dylan Stone, a sophomore SLU Louis University said yes, ROTC is “the mission of the military permits, student and Navy officer candidate, said AMDG. “[I wanted my] life to be and in many cases quickly employs, the that there is no place for nonviolence. something more, to mean something… use of violence.” According to Ebinger, “The world outside Christianity is to contribute to the world.” “This is directly contrary to the nonso violent that if we were to put our She sees ROTC as a life-changing violent life of Jesus and his message of defenses down, we would collapse,” commitment. Rather than promoting forgiveness and enemy love.” Stone said. “To stand by and watch violence, she said, “ROTC is about SLU Jesuit Fr. David Meconi said, innocents be killed is more heinous than protecting the good and being willing to however, that sometimes violence is killing the perpetrator.” die for that.” inevitable. “God neither intended nor Ebinger remains dedicated to peace According to the Army ROTC desires the threats even in the face of statement of mission and values, of violence that “The Christian must present him a violent world. “If “Army ROTC provides cadets with the have grown all we learn anything or herself and be willing to lay from Jesus’ time on character-building aspects of a diverse, too common self-disciplined civilian education today,” he said. down life and limb so as to Earth, it should be with tough, centralized leadership“This is precisely his commitment to protect those under threat development training.” why we need nonviolence,” he said. from violence.” SLU Jesuit Jeff Dorr believes that at a theologically “If SLU would like to first glance, ROTC appears to be in line informed keep ROTC, it should - Fr. David Meconi, S.J. with the University’s values. However, understanding of get rid of every statue a deeper look is necessary. “A perceived war and of soldiering.” of St. Francis.” consistency should not preclude us According to Meconi, a violent As a Catholic institution that strives from asking deeper questions about world sometimes necessitates careful for the greater glory of God and the larger institution which ROTC is a discernment. “The Christian must promotes the values of St. Francis and part of—namely, the U.S. military, and present him or herself and be willing to St. Ignatius, we must continue to wrestle its objectives, actions and our nation’s lay down life and limb so as to protect with the question of how to promote understanding of its purpose,” those under threat from violence,” he a peaceful world. Most importantly, Dorr said. said. as Dorr states, “We must be willing to Dorr acknowledged that the He further explained that on a Jesuit have conversations that would lead us to objectives of SLU as a Jesuit campus, our military program should be have a less violent world.” We must be establishment must be distinct from informed with the understanding that willing to ask, is ROTC AMDG? those of other educational institutions. “we must unfortunately go to war at Sophomore, Theology & International Studies Majors
OneWorld
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The Wedding She Never Dreamed Of Child Marriage Jeopardizes Yemeni Youth
Photo by Caroline Masen
Sanjana Shah
Senior, Public Health Major
Recently, the world heard the story of an eight-year-old Yemeni bride who died of internal bleeding on her wedding night after her marriage to a man five times her age. Although the truth behind this story is shrouded in uncertainty, the increasing number of child brides in Yemen is not. The practice of child marriage exists in many parts of the developing world. It is not exclusive to any particular religion or society. Despite laws that forbid it, long-held traditions die hard. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) estimates that between 2011 and 2020, more than 140 million girls will become child brides, 50 million of whom will be under the age of 15. If the current trend continues, almost 39,000 young girls will be married each day. Lakshmi Sundaram, the Global Coordinator for Girls Not Brides, believes that the root of child marriage is gender inequality. “Child marriage is driven by a fundamental inequality between girls and boys, women and men, and it undermines so many of our efforts to reduce global poverty and ensure a life of dignity for all,” Sundaram said. According to the UN, nearly half of all Yemeni girls are married by age 17, 14 percent are married by age 14, and in some rural communities, girls as young as nine become brides. In 2005, the World Health Organization (WHO) conducted a study on child marriage in Yemen that found there are four main factors that place a Yemeni girl at risk of child marriage. First, many very poor families view young girls as a financial strain, prompting them to marry their daughters off to alleviate that burden. Second, some families also see their
daughters as an economic asset because Sundaram said. “We know that of the payment of a dowry, money or complications in pregnancy and gifts offered to the bride by the groom childbirth are the leading cause of death prior to marriage. Third, in traditional for girls aged 15 to 19 in developing societies like Yemen, marriage can also countries; what we rarely highlight be regarded by the family as a means is that 90 percent of adolescent of protecting girls from pre-marital sex, pregnancies in these countries take place which would undermine family honor. within marriage.” And lastly, sometimes girls themselves With an estimated 14 million girls a see marriage as their only option, year marrying before they turn 18, this especially those who leave school at an story is repeated again and again, in early age. Most Yemeni girls are taken country after country. Yet, despite the out of school by the age of nine and are rising rate of child marriage, there is no not allowed absence of protest against it in Yemen. to return. Local development organizations, Regardless of its causes, child along with UN agencies and marriage presents international a violation of NGOs, have If the current trend continues, lobbied since human rights and a public almost 39,000 young girls will be 2000 for a law health problem. that criminalizes married each day. It deprives marriage for young girls of women younger a childhood, enhances their risk of than 18. Last year, a draft law settled on domestic abuse and entraps them in a the age of 17 as a compromise, but it cycle of poverty. failed in parliament due to what activists “Child brides usually drop out of describe as strong opposition from school, denying them the chance to gain influential religious conservatives. the skills and economic opportunities Despite strong opposition, the to lift them and their families out of conversation against child marriage poverty,” Sundaram said. should not falter. Before the age of 18, a For those girls that are already young girl should have the opportunity married in Yemen, the men and the to get an education, to grow up to be a older women of their husband’s family young woman, to understand how to hold the power and authority in their take care of her health and well-being household. This can place new brides, and to learn how to support herself especially if they are young, at greater economically. Most importantly, a risk of abuse and violence. young girl—no matter where she is in The health consequences of child the world—should have the right to marriage are equally harsh. According choose whom she marries and when. to the WHO, the maternal mortality rate “When girls are finally able to choose is five times higher for adolescent girls if, when and whom they marry, we will under age 15 than those over 20, and start seeing a more just and prosperous the health outcomes for their infants are world,” Sundaram said. “This is why similarly poor. we must combine our voices, so that the “They are under pressure to prove demand for equal rights, for all girls, is their fertility, meaning they experience heard around the world.” early and frequent pregnancies,”
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WATER FIGHT The World Water Crisis Threatens 780 Million
Arjun Kaverimanian
Freshman, Investigative & Medical Sciences Major
It is a war that does not discriminate, claiming the lives of adults and children alike. There are 3.4 million casualties in this war every year, yet the crisis remains invisible to the public eye. However, this war is not a fight between nations but the fight of 780 million people to gain access to clean water. The World Water Crisis burdens mothers in countries such as Ethiopia and Uganda with finding safe water for their children to drink, while mothers in the United States may take their children to water theme parks on any given Saturday. Although 70 percent of the Earth is covered in water, less than 1 percent is drinkable. To ensure that this small fraction is distributed equally, international agencies intervene.
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Non-profit organizations, such as Water Without Borders and World Vision, are committed to making a difference in the lives of those who cannot access safe drinking water. These organizations drill wells, build latrines, install water catchment systems and give children the opportunity to pursue an education in a safe environment. Saint Louis University has its own organization to combat the World Water Crisis, SLU Global Water Brigades. Nolan Winkelbauer, Vice President of the organization, said their mission is “not only giving children tools to fix the crisis, but giving them the education to as well.” This education allows children to have more opportunities to make a difference in the water crises of their own communities.
Winkelbauer’s travel to Honduras exposed him to the misery of the World Water Crisis. “You come back and realize there are people living on one-thousandth of what you have,” Winkelbauer said. But you do not have to travel to make a difference. Simply by changing small day-to-day behaviors you can become more conscious of those without a clean water source. Close the tap when you’re brushing your teeth, keep track of your time in the shower and limit how much water you use washing clothes and dishes. The smallest action can make waves.
Get Involved!
Join SLU Water Brigades: slu.gb@globalbrigades.org Water Without Borders: www.waterwithoutborders.net World Vision: www.worldvision.org OneWorld
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MILLION
gENDercide in china & india Mian Li
Junior Chinese International Student, International Business & Marketing Majors
The United Nations estimates 200 million girls are “missing” in the world today. That is equivalent to 70 times the population of the St. Louis metropolitan area. These girls are killed, aborted or abandoned, simply because of their sex. Every year, we lose two million baby girls to sex-selective abortion and infanticide. That’s four girls per minute.
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What is gendercide?
Gendercide is sex-selective killing. Particularly in China, societal norms lead to the elimination of girls through selective abortion, infanticide and other non-medical practices.
Why boys?
There are many historic, social and economic factors that contribute to the preference for boys. According to ancient Chinese traditions, there is a cultural preference for the son. The patriarchal culture considers girls burdensome to the family because oftentimes they cannot carry on a family name, attend school, engage in business or participate in heavy labor work. Girls are also traditionally regarded as a financial handicap because eventually the family has to spend a large amount of money on her dowry.
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China’s one-child policy, enacted in 1979, limits urban couples to one child in order to maintain low birth rates and address the growing population problem. Given Chinese cultural preferences, parents often desire a son, leading to the selective abortion of female fetuses. If a second child is born, parents will be fined by the Chinese government, exacerbating the hopes for a first-born son. The one-child policy has historically brought an imbalance between sexes in China, and today, this gap continues to widen. There were 108 boys to 100 girls for the generation born in the late 1980s; 124 to 100 for the generation of the early 2000s; and today, some provinces have the unprecedented boy to girl ratio of 130 to 100. These figures indicate a questionable fate for the female race in China.
Get Involved!
Did You Know? Gendercide is not an injustice exclusive to China. India also suffers from systematic discrimination against females. The United Nations estimates that in the past century, over 50 million girls and women have disappeared from India’s population as a result of gendercide. Although India does not have a one-child policy like China, gendercide commonly occurs as the result of dowry-related crimes. The National Crime Records Bureau claims 8,233 women were killed across India last year because of disputes over dowry payments. A vast sex imbalance exists in India as well. According to India’s 2011 Census, there were 37 million more men than women.
What can we do to bring an end to these injustices? The growing international presence of women in the public sphere brings to light many women’s issues and the need for advocacy. There are many effective actions we can take against this gender injustice. First, spread the word about gendercide and teach others the importance of the issue. Second, make donations to organizations, such as the GirlKind Foundation and Gendercide Awareness Project, that seek to change the cultural values of patriarchal societies. Third, advocate for female dignity, equality and rights. The right to live is gender neutral.
In the five minutes it has taken to read this information, 20 baby girls have died as a result of gendercide.
GirlKind Foundation: www.girlkind.org Gendercide Awareness Project: www.gendap.org
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Blurred Lines
Delmar Undivided
Caroline Belden
Sophomore, Theology & African American Studies Majors
“The Delmar Divide,” a quick quip made famous by the BBC documentary of the same name, marks the economic and social disparities between North and South St. Louis. It is a subject that gained much attention last year when BBC became the first major news source to shed light on the problems of the Delmar Divide. This street represents a rift felt in many places in St. Louis, one of the most segregated cities in the United States. However, if people continue to use the term “divide” to describe a street, this language could continue to negatively affect the way people on both sides of Delmar view each other.
As BBC reported, according to data gathered from two census tracts north and south of Delmar, major socioeconomic disparities, as well as differences in the communities’ racial make-ups, do exist. The vacant and dilapidated state of many houses and businesses on the north side, as well as the lack of money-making opportunities, illustrate the $262,000 difference in the median home value and the $32,000 difference in the median household income. On the south side of Delmar, 70 percent of the population has bachelors degrees as opposed to 10 percent on the north side. Liquor stores and family run businesses on the north side counter the large commercial stores such as Walmart and
Target on the south side. To the south, the population is 74 percent white, and to the north, it is 98 percent African American. This tells us that despite the Civil Rights legislation of the 1950s and 1960s, segregation and wealth disparities between whites and blacks in the city of St. Louis did not end. Racial tension and fear are at the root of the issues between the communities on either side of Delmar. St. Louis has a long history of institutional racism that continues today. Sophomore Saint Louis University student Darby Latham grew up in North St. Louis, but attended Mehlville High School in South County where her identity as one of a small minority of African
“It felt like slavery had just ended, and we just started going to white school.” - Darby Latham
Photo by Coeli O’Connell
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St. Louis, MO
This graphic was compiled using information from Ghetto Tracker, a website that encourages local residents to rate their surrounding areas as safe (green) or unsafe (red) based on their perceptions of crime and poverty in that area. However, Ghetto Tracker has recently received criticism for lacking any official methodology. Rather than using hard crime data, Ghetto Tracker relies on the biases and impressions of regular people. By relying on these biases, Ghetto Tracker promotes the practice of invidious discrimination against poor or crimeheavy neighborhoods. It perpetuates the philosophy that those who live in areas of relatively high crime are either criminals or in need of charity. Yet, it disregards the value of culture and community in these neighborhoods. Phrases like “The Delmar Divide” and websites like Ghetto Tracker reinforce divisive sentiments between us.
American students became the source of they were going to shoot you if you went charity case. The majority of conversations ridicule. there.” about North St. Louis that occur on “I cried every day,” Latham said. “They Throughout high school and his time campus concern community service and used to call us the n-word. They talked at SLU, he says he has learned not to rely helping the poor. All of this is admirable, about our hair. It felt like slavery had just on these stigmas and has met more people but it is important to be aware of the tone ended, and we just started going to white who are committed to crossing the “divide” of these conversations. school.” and making the community better. Latham sees the distance people in Despite this behavior, Latham credits In reality, talking about Delmar as a the University community sometimes put Mehlville with giving her the opportunity divide gives those on the south side an between themselves and her community to attend SLU because the schools in her excuse to pretend as if the north side is while trying to help. neighborhood are all unaccredited and are a separate world that needs to be saved “I think it’s a good thing to try and help severely lacking in basic elective programs. rather than communities that want to the community,” Latham said. “However, The compromise she had to make of racial empower themselves towards change. when SLU students say they are about to slurs in exchange for go do service for a decent education people, and “That’s where the black people lived, and they were poor, and ‘those’ illustrates the racism I am one of those they were going to shoot you if you went there.” embedded in this city. people of which Many on the they are speaking, it - John Ketzner south side of Delmar, makes me feel like including the SLU they see us as lesser.” community, fear confronting this issue “[Before I came to SLU] it was this She admits every community needs because it is easier to have a conversation place everybody talked about, but it was help, but her community can help itself. “It about how this tension divides us never really real,” Ketzner said. only takes one person,” she said. rather than how it unites us. The lack of On the other hand, the term “divide” Ketzner is aware of this attitude and awareness about the issues on the north allows those who live on the north side to said, “I want to help, but I don’t want to side of Delmar or the assumptions and perpetuate the image of the white person make people feel uncomfortable, and I generalizations made about these issues as someone who is out to get them. don’t want people to think that I think I’m add another level of difficulty to the “A lot of black people don’t interact better than them.” discussion. with white people at all,” Latham said. Conversations about Delmar could John Ketzner, a sophomore SLU “They see them as the devil or like they are change if people on both sides respected student who grew up in Oakville, a suburb going to set them up. I guess I’m guilty of the other’s ability and right to define in South County, talked about living that. That’s how I grew up. That’s where I’m themselves, their community and their the “South Country Dream,” attending from.” needs. Conversations would change if a private school and living in a safe Darby lives on a street where drug people were not afraid to see unity even neighborhood near his friends. dealing and prostitution are rampant and among all the disparities. There is neither “Growing up, I didn’t really know about where white people are generally only an “us” nor a “them.” We all live in the Delmar,” Ketzner said. “There were a lot of found lost or buying drugs. She lives same city, and we all cross streets every racial stigmas that just went with talking on this same street where she grew up day. Crossing Delmar does not cut us off about North St. Louis. That’s where the with her protective parents and with her from each other. black people lived, and they were poor, and friends. Her home is a community, not a
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Contemporary Imperialism
Hannah Wiley
Junior, Communication & Italian Majors
From Brazil to Australia to India, indigenous groups that have survived natural disasters, famine and climate changes are now facing a new threat – their fellow mankind. The never-ending competition over resources and land has continued into the 21st century, only in this modern world the dominating groups have access to unlimited economic wealth that enables them to claim land in devastating manners. Government superpowers are displacing natives in order to extract valuable natural resources through the force of modern technology. Their expansion results in ethnic cleansing, cultural genocide and relocation of indigenous peoples for the purpose of controlling natural resources on their territory. Dr. Mary Vermilion, head of the Anthropology department at Saint Louis University and Native American specialist, believes these wars against aboriginal groups “result in a deterioration of the cultural richness and history within these nations.� In some regions, an entire disappearance of aboriginal groups is imminent.
Indigenous Cultures At Risk for Extinction
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The Mursi Location: Ethiopia (Lower Omo Valley) Lifestyle: Agro-Pastoralists Threat: Implementation of National Parks and building of the Gibe III Dam The Mursi people are an African aborigine tribe that inhabit the Southwest region of Ethiopia along the Omo River. Mursi people are most often recognized for their elaborate body painting and stretching of the lip to accommodate lip plates. This aboriginal tribe is highly developed in its cultural richness, but it remains threatened by European powers who have aided in the funding and construction of the Gibe III Dam. The Omo River is one of the largest sources of survival for the Mursi people, as the moisture from the rainfall contributes to agricultural prosperity. The construction of the Gibe Dam will stop cultivation during the months of SeptemberFebruary, inhibiting a vital lifesource for the Mursi people.
Native Peoples of America Location: The United States of America Lifestyle: Western professions/Agriculture Threat: Exploitation of reservations Although the darkest portion of history of the Native Peoples of America has long passed, these cultural groups are still threatened by the exploitation of the minimal resources the federal government grants them. In addition, there are over 300 reservations scattered throughout the United States and many have recurring social issues. These include higher crime rates, alcoholism and sexual assault, as well as economic problems that are a result of the genocide that plagues their history. After the discovery of important minerals on Native American land, the federal government is attempting to extract these resources. Additionally, older members of the tribes fear cultural deterioration as younger members no longer learn the language and traditions of their past.
The Jarawa Location: Andaman Islands of India Lifestyle: Hunters/Gatherers/ Fisherman Threat: Tourists/Poachers Until recently, the Jarawa people have survived peacefully for thousands of years on the South Andaman Island of Indian Territory. The opening of National Highway 223, or the Great Andaman Trunk Road, led to an intrusion of Jarawa territory. Because of this, safaris are a common occurrence and jeopardize the Jarawa people and their cultural practices. These safaris introduce the Jarawa people to diseases, such as the measles, to which they have no defense. Poachers use the road to steal the game the Jarawa tribe relies on for survival, and sexual exploitation of Jarawa women is common. In recognition of the crisis, the Indian Supreme Court ruled for the closing of the highway. However, the Andaman government refuses to close the road until an alternative route can be managed.
The Awá Location: Brazil (Amazon) Lifestyle: Hunters/Gatherers Threat: Loggers Considered the world’s “most threatened tribal group” by Survival International, an international group dedicated to promoting tribal peoples’ rights, many members of the Awá people have been killed by illegal loggers in the Amazon. This cultural group is now limited to 450 members who use the forest for hunting and gathering. When put in contact with the outside world, Awá members can fall ill from exposure to diseases. Further, there is no government protection from the illegal loggers who hunt this endangered tribe. Brazil’s Minister of Justice, José Eduardo Cardozo, promised to evict the loggers who are responsible for the deterioration of the Awá, but no official action has taken place to end their illegal
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The American Dream vs. The Immigrant’s Reality Broken Immigration System Deters Hopeful Citizens
Erin Twiehaus
Senior, Social Work Major
An Iraqi refugee kisses an American flag in attorney Ryan Fitzpatrick’s office. Tears roll down the man’s face as he tells Fitzpatrick, a 2006 graduate of Saint Louis University, about his recent attainment of U.S. citizenship. Although an experience like this is a rare one for Fitzpatrick, it inspires him to continue his work as an immigration attorney in St. Louis with Interfaith Legal Services for Immigrants (ILSI). “We could try to educate people on the current immigration system, but what is the point when it’s so broken?” Fitzpatrick asked. “We must fix the system first and then educate.” Fitzpatrick explained there are several obstacles on the pathway to citizenship. In the 1980s, a cap was placed on the amount of available visas accepted per year. This number remains at 65,000 and does not reflect the growing U.S. population. Bureaucratic lag and complex paperwork also stand in the way of hopeful immigrants, according to Fitzpatrick. Citizenship may be attained if an immigrant’s sibling is already a U.S. citizen; however, this process takes
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at least a decade or more. Fitzpatrick and probability of deportation prevent believes that with an estimated 12 immigrants from applying. million undocumented immigrants Through his experiences in in the United States, the system is immigration legal services, Fitzpatrick desperate for a change. argues that a change in the culture of The $680 filing fee and English citizenship is necessary. language requirements also deter Jennings and Fitzpatrick are local immigrants from becoming citizens. advocates for change in the immigration The number of applications dropped system whose passion, dedication and from 1.4 million in 2007 to 526,000 in drive fuel their work. Jennings looks to 2008. This 62 percent decline is due to ignite a similar passion for change in his an increase students. in the “My goal for “We could try to educate people on my classes when application filing cost, the current immigration system, but they graduate is to according to able to engage what is the point when it’s so broken?” be The National in conversations - Ryan Fitzpatrick Council of about immigration La Raza, the and debates that largest national Hispanic civil rights and we may have about immigration,” Dr. advocacy organization in the Jennings said. United States. Legal status is only the beginning Dr. Joel Jennings, a Sociology of citizenship. Citizens are obligated professor at Saint Louis University, to promote the values upon which our agrees with Fitzpatrick that the avenues country was founded. Given the current toward citizenship are limited and obstacles on the path to citizenship, it is narrow. According to Jennings, for many increasingly important to promote equal immigrants there are no institutional opportunity to the American Dream. incentives for applying for citizenship. The limited number of available visas
In order to become a U.S. citizen, applicants must first pass the official U.S. citizenship test. Applicants must be prepared to give an oral answer to a pre-determined pool of 100 questions. Of those, 10 questions are chosen at random, and applicants must be able to correctly answer six. The following questions are taken directly from the U.S. citizenship test. Would you pass? (See answers below.)
CITIZENSHIP TEST QUESTIONS How Much Do You Know About Your Country?
1. What is the highest law of the land?
9. What age must someone be before they can vote?
2. What are the first three words of the Constitution?
10. What do we salute when we say the Pledge of Allegiance?
3. What do we call the first 10 amendments to the Constitution?
11. Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
4. Who was our first president?
12. When was the Constitution written?
5. What freedom do you have as a U.S. citizen?
13. What is one problem that led to the Civil War?
6. Name the three branches of government.
14. Where is the Statue of Liberty?
7. In what month do we vote for President?
15. What is the capital of the United States?
8. Name the President of the United States.
1) The Constitution; 2) We the People; 3) Bill of Rights; 4) George Washington; 5) Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness; 6) Legislative, executive, judicial; 7) November; 8) Barack Obama; 9) 18; 10) American flag; 11) Thomas Jefferson; 12) 1776; 13) Slavery; 14) New York City; 15) Washington, D.C.
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Photos by Sanjana Shah
Modest Empowerment SLU Student Finds Freedom in the Hijab
Meredith Hargis
Freshman, International Studies & Political Science Majors
Samaneh Ataei is a sophomore at Saint Louis University. She studies psychology and anthropology, and she wears a hijab. “It’s just a way of presenting myself in public,” she said, pointing out that the rest of her attire can be found at Forever 21. Ataei was born and raised in Iran until the seventh grade when she moved to St. Louis. She remembers entering college and noticing that relationships seemed shallow and based off of surface judgements. “I didn’t like how guys were only friends with me for the way I looked; that bothered me,” she said.
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The religious dress of Muslim women can be misunderstood and misinterpreted. From countries’ attempted bans on religious garb in the name of security to other arguments referring to female empowerment, why are conclusions drawn from clothing style? Before coming to SLU, Ataei had wanted to wear the hijab but didn’t have the nerve to wear clothing so out of the social norm. After meeting other young women at SLU who wore the hijab, she found the courage to wear it fearlessly only two months after joining the SLU community. “Since coming to college I’ve become closer to my religion and closer to
myself,” she said. She sees wearing the hijab as a way to present herself that makes her personality and intelligence the world’s first impression of her. Ataei does not see the way she dresses as shocking, comparing it to a person with cancer wearing a scarf on their head after receiving chemotherapy. The religious guidelines that encouraged her to wear the hijab promote modesty and protect her femininity. Ataei feels her religious devotion empowers her as a woman and as an individual. A Gallup poll shows that people in the United States believe that religion is losing its influence, and out of all religions, Islam is viewed most unfavorably. The FBI reported that
hate crimes against people presumed to be affiliated with Islam based on their physical appearance increased by 1700 percent after the 9/11 attacks. Much of this is because 63 percent of Americans, according to Gallup, have little knowledge about the actual values of the religion. Despite her firm decision to wear the hijab, Ataei doesn’t judge other women who choose not to. “They just have a different interpretation of what being modest is,” Ataei said. Anyone can wear a headscarf, but to Ataei, it is a part of how she respects herself and identifies with her system
of values. The same goes for Muslim women who choose to wear the full burqa. “It is their interpretation based on their culture and how they were raised – their interpretation of modesty,” Ataei said. Since coming to SLU and meeting others of the same faith, Ataei notices a “sense of celebration” when practicing their religion together. Religious and cultural diversity wasn’t celebrated in her high school, but in college, Ataei has found an inclusive community that celebrates her faith. She thinks that the student-made Oath of Inclusion promotes an atmosphere that protects
“The hijab doesn’t wear me. I wear the hijab.” - Samaneh Ataei
and promotes religious diversity, despite SLU’s Catholic affiliation. However, Ataei thinks there is always room for improvement. Breaking down social expectations and assumptions, women like Ataei can be faithful to their religion and symbols of dignity and self-worth at the same time. Ataei hopes that by wearing the hijab, other women of her religion will feel comfortable doing the same. “The hijab doesn’t wear me,” Ataei said. “I wear the hijab.”
Slacktivism Are Tweets & Likes
Enough?
Pallavi Vishwanath
Senior, History Major (Pre-Med)
We have become so accustomed to using technology in our everyday activities that there is a popular selfdeluded idea that liking, sharing or retweeting messages can create change. These actions are not the contemporary equivalents to sit-ins and strikes. The slackers that do nothing more than show their support through social media are not activists; they are slacktivists. Although social media provide an easy way to organize, keep in touch and share information, we cannot exist as an inactive generation. The Internet is an elaborate distraction that can keep us from bringing about effective change. However, the Internet also gives us the means to achieve exponentially more than generations before us. Using social media as a networking system is not always ineffective. Social media are instruments that can serve
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a variety of purposes if used properly and understood. However, we have convinced ourselves that being active online equates to being active in society. This delusion needs to end. Social media allow people to readily learn about issues that their peers are paying attention to, often limiting the perspectives to those of like-minded individuals. Accordingly, the use of strong, reliable sources with the least bias for news is crucial. Make sure the source is not oversimplifying an issue and gain perspective of the various factors playing a role. Pay attention to the point of view of everyone and everything involved, not just those on your news feed. With the ability to access articles, pictures and videos of injustice around the world in seconds, it is just as easy to close our browsers and continue with our days, desensitized to what we have just seen.
We live with the rights we have today because past activists took it upon themselves to bring about progressive change for future generations. With the technological advancements at our disposal, we have the obligation to build on their successes and the opportunity to exceed them. Our generation has shied away from this role, lulling the potential for revolution. Passive bystanders are justice’s worst enemy. Likes on a Facebook photo are not the same as votes on a ballot or protestors on a bus. Activism in social media should supplement concrete civic engagement, not substitute it. To become an activist as opposed to slacktivist, make your use of social media a starting point for concrete social action. We promise you’ll “like” it.
What is slacktivism?
We define slacktivism as a willingness to perform relatively costless, token displays of support for a social cause, with an accompanying lack of willingness to devote significant effort to enact meaningful change. Source: University of British Columbia
Thoughts/Prayers Facebook “likes” Awareness ribbons and bracelets Social network groups Form letters (i.e. a letter written from a template) to politicians
What is activism?
The use of direct, often confrontational action, such as a demonstration or strike, in opposition to or support of a cause. Source: The American Heritage Dictionary
Volunteering Making donations Protests and boycotts Lobbying, political campaigning
activism or slacktivism? KONY 2012 In 2012, Invisible Children released a video promoting the capture of Ugandan warlord Joseph Kony. Today, the KONY 2012 YouTube video has over 98 million views. It is clear that this use of social media sparked a global conversation that brought an entrenched injustice to light. However, the conflict in Uganda was more complicated than the video suggests and had already moved towards resolution by 2005. Although successful in spreading awareness, awareness alone could not and has not led to Kony’s capture. Beyond sharing the video on Facebook, what did you do to further promote justice in Uganda?
Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Facebook Blitz In March 2013, pink and red equal signs flooded social media outlets promoting LGBTQ rights during two historic Supreme Court rulings on marriage equality. The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) initiated this trend from their Facebook page to encourage followers to clearly signal that they support the equal right to marry. While many supporters may have changed their profile pictures, few took more concrete steps to influence the opinions of their elected leaders.
SLACKTIVISM.
SLACKTIVISM.
The Arab Spring and Social Media Red Cross Haitian Earthquake Relief Following the destructive 2010 earthquake in Haiti, the Red Cross established a simple means of donating to the relief efforts: texting. By sending the word “Haiti” to 90999, an individual could make a $10 donation that was automatically added to his or her cell phone bill. These text message donations raised over $5 million in just two days. The campaign succeeded in creating widespread awareness of the devastation the earthquake caused while providing donors with the ability to effortlessly contribute to the relief funds.
ACTIVISM.
The Arab Spring refers to the outbreak of uprisings that occurred across the Middle East and North Africa beginning in December 2010. Youth opposition to oppressive authoritarian rule in this region ignited revolutions that included boycotts, protests and strikes. In many cases, these demonstrations succeeded in ousting tyrannical leaders. The revolutionary youth took to Twitter and Facebook to spread information and mobilize supporters. Under the authoritarian regimes, this broadcasting of information, even in the simple form of a Tweet, served as an exercise of free speech that challenged the political status quo and posed a much greater risk than does social media use in Western society. Social media were effective in these revolutions not only by bringing the injustices of the region to the forefront of international news, but also by transcending the digital world and enacting concrete social action.
ACTIVISM.
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Be An Informed American On Oct. 7, OneWorld hosted an interactive event entitled “Be an Informed American.” Over 160 students attended the event, which focused on immigration issues in an effort to promote awareness and action within the Saint Louis University community. The presentation advocated progressive action on comprehensive immigration reform. The event showcased seven perspectives on immigration. Students heard from speakers portraying a politician, a human rights activist, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent, a local enforcement officer, a church leader, an economist and an immigrant. The presentation concluded by encouraging audience members to voice their opinions on comprehensive immigration reform on postcards addressed to Missouri congressmen and congresswomen. “Be an Informed American” was a part of OneWorld’s “Be an Informed” campaign series. Previous events in the campaign have included “Be an Informed Voter,” held November 2012, which provided information on presidential candidates and included a mock election; and “Be an Informed Eater,” held April 2013, which promoted local and healthy eating. The Editorial Team is working to create another meaningful event for next semester.
Recent Accomplishments This past academic year OneWorld received a Mark of Excellence Award from the Society of Professional Journalists as the third best regional student magazine. The Society of Professional Journalists presents the awards annually to recognize the best in student journalism. OneWorld competed against publications from Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska. Additionally, Generation Progress, the youth division of the Center for American Progress and one of OneWorld’s generous sponsors, named OneWorld their second best student publication out of a Journalism Network of more than 50 student publications across the United States. Under the Center for American Progress, Generation Progress works with and for young people to promote progressive solutions to key political and social challenges. 21
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CALLTOACTION The Center for Service and Community Engagement (CSCE) joins OneWorld in its efforts to promote thoughtful discussion on issues that impact our lives and our communities. Raising our collective awareness of local and global
concerns is the first step in meeting this commitment. The second step is action. Whatever interests or time availabilities you might have, the CSCE can help connect you with organizations whose work appeals
to your broader interests, academic path and personal growth. These are local organizations that directly connect with articles published in this Fall 2013 issue of OneWorld.
Gender Equity Gendercide Awareness Project GirlKind Una
Equity in St. Louis SLU Core United Way of Greater St. Louis GenNext
World Water Crisis SLU Global Brigades Uncapping SLU Water Without Borders World Vision
Immigration Services International Institute of St. Louis Oasis International
Thank You to Our Sponsors!
For more information about these organizations, email OneWorld at oneworldmagazine@gmail.com.
The support of OneWorld’s sponsors ensures that our organization will continue to grow and become a more sustainable and meaningful community project. To enquire about supporting us in 2014-2015, please email oneworldmagazine@gmail.com.
Our Mission
We are already one, but we imagine that we are not. OneWorld exists to rediscover that, while we are many in our cultures, religions and struggles, we are one in our common humanity. We yearn to remove the barriers of ignorance and injustice, because the most basic and unchanging truth that unites us is the infinite value of the human person. OneWorld emphasizes this unity by raising awareness of social injustice, inspiring action and transforming our hearts, minds and society.
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“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.� - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.