Student Essays from 2019 2020
– Summer
Volume 2, Issue 1
Summer
Scottsdale Community College English Department
Two Waters Review
Scottsdale Community College improves the quality of life in our communities by providing challenging, supportive, and distinctive learning experiences. We are committed to offering high quality, collaborative, affordable, and accessible opportunities that enable learners to achieve lifelong educational, professional, and personal goals.
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"prison" by Kim Daram is licensed under CC BY NC 2.0 "Uyghur children." by Yingwen Teach is licensed under CC BY NC SA 2.0
Cover image: “TWR Cover 2.1” by Matthew Bloom is a mashup of Cover image is a mashup of adapted images from Unsplash and Flickr: Science in HD on Unsplash (photovoltaic cells)
Arseny Togulev on Unsplash (girl at piano) Daniele Salutari on Unsplash (Mr. White Hat)
"Space Debris" by Hopeful in NJ is licensed under CC BY NC 2.0 PJ Gal Szabo on Unsplash (light rail) Maricopa and Scottsdale Community College logos are copyright reserved. Volume 2, Issue 1 September 2020
iii All student works collected here are copyright © 2020 by their respective authors. Licenses for publication in Two Waters Review by the English Department of Scottsdale Community College are on file at the college.
iv Table of Contents LookingtotheFuture1…RyanMorrison-Creating a Better Foundation for Our Children: Why Having Better Music Education Programs Gives Students an Edge in School 10…David Koper - The Power in Sustainability 21…Cheyenne You - The Struggle of Tibet's Human Rights 34…Megan Ortega - Breaking the Cycle and Fixing the Broken: Criminal Justice Reform 46…Emily Majercin - Enslaved Muslims Robbed of Free Will, Religion, and Hope 57…Justin Scholtes - The Weaponization of Space: Preventable or Soon to be Unforgettable? 67…Eli Hallman - [An Argument for Light Rail Expansion]
Friedrich Nietszche, a German philosopher, once said that “Without music, life would be a mistake” (“A Quote from Twilight of the Idols.”). Music has been a part of human culture for centuries. It brings us together as a community and it provides a healthy outlet for creativity. Learning about music and performing it in school offers a myriad of benefits for students. Unfortunately, school systems have seemed to lose sight of the importance of the course in their curriculum. After the No Child Left Behind Act was passed in 2001, schools were urged to put more focus on core subjects like reading and math. The of the American school system left music studies in the dust. Now whenever there are budget cuts in schools, music and arts are the first to have their funding taken away. An article from the notebook states that, “ 71 percent of school districts surveyed reported that they had reduced instructional time in elementary schools for one or more subjects in order to increase time spent on reading and math. In 22 percent of the districts, elementary music and art instruction had been reduced, according to administrator reports” (Whitehorne). Depriving children of quality music courses is inhibiting the quality of education in schools around the country. Public schools should allocate more funding towards music education because children who have been more involved with it tend to have better cognitive abilities and more academic success.
reprioritization
1 Ryan Morrison ENGCreating102 a Better Foundation for Our Children: Why Having Better Music Education Programs Gives Students an Edge in School
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One great benefit to providing better quality music education in schools is that it increases academic achievement in students. To most school systems, music education just seems like an extracurricular that is not necessary to a child's academic development. This is why they cut them as soon as the district experiences a decrease in funding. What districts do not see is that cutting these programs actually hinders success in school. Music programs actually improve the students ability to do well in their classes. In a study primarily run by Steven J Holochwost, a group of students (ages six to twelve) were chosen at random to attend a program where they were trained with orchestral instruments. Both the group of students who were in the program and a control group of students were given several standardized tests on english, math, and language arts. They also assessed the children’s executive functions (EF) and short term memory (STM). At the end of their study, Holochwost and his peers, “...found that students enrolled in the program exhibited higher levels of academic achievement and better performance on select measures of EF and STM” (159). Children who are more involved in music based programs tend to do better in their studies. If this is true, cutting funding for music education programs is hindering the overall education of students in public schooling. There is a similar study run by Martin Guhn that examines the effects of music education on high school students who are ages fourteen to eighteen. His study also found that there was a positive correlation between academic achievement and musical involvement. They also found that, “higher levels of school music course engagement corresponded to higher levels of academic achievement” (320). This not only shows that involvement in music classes improves academic achievement across all ages, but that more involvement in programs results in more
3 academic success. Therefore, educators should create an environment that encourages students to involve themselves in musical studies as much as they can. It reaches farther than general grades in classes as well. It has also shown to increase SAT scores. The College Board has collected data that proves that, “students who took four years of arts and music classes while in high school (only 18 percent of test takers) scored an average of 92 points or higher on their SATs than the students who took only one half year or less (16 percent of test takers)” (America for the Arts). Having a good SAT score is imperative to getting into a good college after graduating high school. Schools should be doing everything they can to prepare their children for the next step in their education. If engagement in music courses improves grades and scores on important tests, our school systems should be doing everything that they can to make these courses readily available to their students. Success in their classes is only the beginning of the benefits that music education can bring to students.Making programs for music more available for children can also assist in the development of a variety of cognitive abilities such as spatial temporal skills, language development, attention, and IQ. Spatial temporal reasoning is the ability to mentally envision an object or component of something and manipulate it. Sylwia Holmes and Susan Hallam created a study where a group of students ages four to seven were put into a music program. Their spatial temporal skills were tested throughout the study and were compared with students who were not in the program. After two years, the study concluded and the children enrolled in the program showed a significant increase in their spatial temporal abilities compared to the children who were not enrolled in the program.
4 These abilities are useful both in everyday life and in several career fields like engineering and mathematics. Other studies have found that music education can assist with language development in children. Children’s Music Workshop has stated, “Recent studies have clearly indicated that musical training physically develops the part of the left side of the brain known to be involved with processing language, and can actually wire the brain’s circuits in specific ways. Linking familiar songs to new information can also help imprint information on young minds” (Brown). Neurologically speaking, exposure to music helps grow the left side of the brain, which could help children build a better vocabulary and learn to read. Research also shows that exposure to musical education improves attention spans of children. A study was performed where a group of kindergarten children were randomly assigned to attend a music class for five weeks. Tests were administered to measure their attention capacity at the beginning of the study and five weeks later when the study concluded. Results showed that children in the music classes were able to hold their attention much better than the children that weren’t in the music class. Attention span is an important skill in many aspects of life whether it's having a conversation with a friend or staying focused on work for a job. This is an invaluable skill that should be nurtured by parents and teachers at every opportunity. Researchers have also found that studying music can also raise a student's overall IQ. In 2004 a study was conducted by The University of Toronto that separated students into three groups. One group took music lessons, one took drama lessons, and a third took no lessons. They found that, “students in the music group showed greater increases in full-scale IQ scores than those in either of the other groups” (“The Benefits of Music Education” 3). In other words, music education makes
5 students more intelligent. The whole point of schooling is to make children smarter so districts should be putting more funding into programs, like music education, that do so. Most of these cognitive skills would make students perform better in the classroom setting as well. Many teachers would probably love to have a class full of children that have better attentionManyspans.will argue that there simply isn’t enough funding in the budget to support music and the arts in public education. It is unfortunate that music programs and courses are the first to lose money when budget cuts occur, but that doesn’t mean that funding cannot be secured. In 2011, Mayor Rahm Emmanuel was elected mayor of Chicago. One of his first actions in public office was to launch the Chicago Cultural Plan and the CPS Arts Education Plan. This improved the availability and quality of music and arts education in every school in the city. The plans set up extra funding for arts education and required that a set percentage of the school budget was dedicated to the same programs. The Chicago Public School System released a plan of action called “The Chicago Public Schools Arts Education Plan 2012 2015: Bringing the Arts to Every Child in Every School” detailing the steps being taken to make arts and music classes more available to children. In an attached letter Emmanuel discusses some of the changes he has put in place including how he has hired new staff to support the targeted programs. He states, “These school based CPS employees gain additional training, provide school leadership in the arts, and support principals in the organizing and planning for arts programming in our school.” The mayor of Chicago found a sustainable way to fund arts and music programs across the city by increasing funding to the budget by the local government and various other sources and
6 allocating funds that were already present in the regular school budget. He is a shining example that finding money for music programs is doable. Not only did he give the programs more money, but he also employed people with proper training to ensure the quality of the education. Chicago is already starting to show promising results after enacting their aforementioned CPS Art Education Plan. In the article, “New Analysis by Leading Education Expert: CPS Students Are Learning” a study conducted by Stanford University was cited that shows that since the CPS Art Education Plan was enacted, test scores have risen significantly in Chicago students. If Chicago can do that for their schools, then surely, many other cities can do the same. Even if the local and federal government refuses to give more funding to school districts, there are several other ways to secure funding to ensure that music education is included in public school curriculum. The Teachers College at Columbia University published an article called “How to Secure Funding for Music Education for Public Schools - TC” that offers some great ideas on how to raise money for these programs. One method of supplementing funding is taking advantage of instrument donation programs. Instruments are one of the most costly expenses in a music teacher’s budget. Luckily, there are several programs out there like Hungry for Music or Instruments in the Cloud that provide donated instruments for students. Grants are also available for schools that need more music funding. Grants are offered by the government, charities, and even large corporate businesses. Most grants just require an organized plan on how the money will be used and how it will benefit the school. Finally, there is fundraising. This can take the form of having students sell something to family and friends
7 or performing concerts to raise the money. Music programs aren’t as unfundable as people think. It may take hard work or big changes but it is absolutely possible. School districts should be more focused on funding their music programs because they help improve academic achievement and cognitive abilities in students. The research is stacked in favor of music education. Not only would it make students smarter, but it would benefit the schools because students would start scoring higher on tests and getting better grades. Children would also be better prepared for their career field with the cognitive skills that they would obtain. At the end of the day, it is important to keep in mind that the students of today are the key to a better future. If we educate them correctly and give them the proper knowledge and skills to be a capable adult, then they will be better equipped to make the world a better place.
“How to Secure Funding for Music Education for Public Schools - TC.” Music and Music Education Master of Arts Hybrid Summer, Columbia University Teachers College, 17 July 2020, musiconlinehybrid.tc.columbia.edu/articles/how to secure funding for music education for public schools/.
Guhn, Martin, et al. “A Population Level Analysis of Associations between School Music Participation and Academic Achievement.” Journal of Educational Psychology, vol. 112, no. 2, Feb. 2020, pp. 308 328. EBSCOhost, doi:10.1037/edu0000376.
“A Quote from Twilight of the Idols.” Goodreads, Goodreads, www.goodreads.com/quotes/4590 without music life would be-a-mistake.
Holochwost, Steven J., et al. “Music Education, Academic Achievement, and Executive Functions.” Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts, vol. 11, no. 2, May 2017, pp. 147 166. EBSCOhost, doi:10.1037/aca0000112.supp (Supplemental)
8 Works Cited
Brown, Laura Lewis. “The Benefits of Music Education.” PBS, Public Broadcasting Service, 17 July 2020, www.pbs.org/parents/thrive/the benefits of music education.
Americans for the Arts. “Arts Facts: SAT Scores and the Arts 1999 - 2015.” Americans for the Arts, 15 May 2019, www.americansforthearts.org/by program/reports and data/legislation policy/naappd/arts facts sat scores and the arts 1999 2015.
Holmes, Sylwia, and Susan Hallam. “The Impact of Participation in Music on Learning Mathematics.” London Review of Education, vol. 15, no. 3, Nov. 2017, pp. 425 438. EBSCOhost, doi:10.18546/LRE.15.3.07.
child left behind overview definition summary.html. “New Analysis by Leading Education Expert: CPS Students Are Learning.” Center for Education Policy Analysis, 2 Nov. 2017, cepa.stanford.edu/news/new analysis leading education expert cps students are learning and growing faster 96 students united states. “The Benefits of Music Education.” The Royal Conservatory. April 2014.
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“NCLB: Taking a Toll on Arts and Music Education.” The Notebook, 29 Mar. 2018, thenotebook.org/articles/2006/05/24/nclb
Klein, Alyson. “No Child Left Behind Overview: Definitions, Requirements, Criticisms, and More.” Education Week, Education Week, 2 Apr. 2020, www.edweek.org/ew/section/multimedia/no
“The Chicago Public Schools Arts Education Plan 2012 2015: Bringing the Arts to Every Child in Every School.” Chicago Public Schools Department of Arts Education, Chicago Public Schools, 2013, www.cpsarts.org/wp content/uploads/2013/11/CPS Arts Ed Whitehorne,Plan.pdfRon.
taking-a-toll on arts and music education/.
The Power in Sustainability
10 David ENG102Koper
Electrical power is one of the most revolutionary developments in human history. It has been instrumental in breakthroughs of medicine, technology, and culture in the last century. However, traditional methods of energy generation, such as burning coal, have had a detrimental effect on ecosystems throughout North America. As an engineering designer working in the energy industry, I have seen a growing effort to reduce harmful emissions and develop renewable technologies. Major utility companies are adding stringent environmental controls to their fossil fuel power plants, and dozens of solar sites are popping up around the nation. Unfortunately, renewable energy generation presents a new set of challenges to maintaining the stable power grid that Americans have come to expect. Variability in sun coverage and wind presence yield extreme drops in power production with very little notice. The on demand power from burning fossil fuels is an unfortunate necessity to prevent rolling blackouts, and no renewable technology has been able to replicate it at a national scale. Because of this, the nation must explore other options to supplement our existing renewable energy efforts. The energy industry must help the United States in shaping an attainable and sustainable future through the reduction in carbon emissions and development of carbon neutral energy technologies. Since the mid 2000s, growing environmental concerns have burdened the profitability and development of fossil fuel power generation throughout the country. As this massive cornerstone of the energy industry crumbles, renewable technologies begin to
11 gain a larger foothold in power production. The Office of Energy Analysis (2019), part of the US Department of Energy, reports a distinct decline in coal fired power, with many facilities set to retire around the year 2025. In contrast, the office predicts large growth in the renewable sector, doubling in capacity over the same period. Of this sector, solar and wind energy are expected to grow the most significantly, providing over three quarters of renewable energy in 2050 (p. 61 92). While these renewable technologies are a key component in creating a sustainable future, they alone cannot provide the same flexibility that fossil plants have provided in the past. The most widely understood part of creating an environmentally sustainable future is increasing the amount of renewable energy generation such as solar, wind, and hydro power. Each of these resources have the potential to supply significant amounts of power to the grid and possess unique challenges and strengths.
Solar energy is the most abundant renewable resource worldwide, and its daytime potential is only limited by the cost and availability of materials. A professor and researcher at Pennsylvania State University, Blumsack (2018), states that solar power plants have incredibly low operating costs, typically estimated at less than $0.01 per kilowatt hour. However, he notes the difficulty is that Photovoltaic solar has among the highest upfront costs of any power producing technology, at $4500 per kilowatt hour. This is four times the capital cost of coal and similar to that of nuclear power. One other major difficulty with renewables is that their operating capacity is constantly dependent on external factors, like the abundance of sunlight. Brinkman (2019), an energy engineering manager, notes that solar resources are readily available to regions like the southwest United States, but they
Wind power, while less potent than other renewables, provides valuable energy at alternate times of day. While solar generates its energy during the daylight hours, in most regions wind power is most productive during night and early morning hours. Additionally, wind energy can be harnessed in a wide variety of terrains and locations. In a white paper published by Burns & McDonnell, a large US based engineering firm, the director of offshore wind, Appleton (2020), describes the potential of an innovative technology that could revolutionize wind energy production. He writes that many states in the US are seeking to attain zero emission or 100% renewable energy goals in the near future, and coastal areas are looking to supplement this with offshore wind power. However, current methods of designing offshore wind turbines require shallow ocean floors, which many
12 only generate power during daylight hours. In a recent study, Xia (2019) further explains that adding more renewable energy into an already saturated market will not necessarily reduce carbon emissions in that region. Speaking specifically about the southwest US, he notes the addition of additional solar resources to the grid would not phase out any additional fossil fuel based generation. The reason, Xia continues, is that solar energy is already managing the vast majority of power consumption during daytime hours, while fossil fuels take over at night. He further suggests that the focus needs to be on developing wind power in the region. Xia also indicates that increasing energy storage will help the grid with balancing energy consumption and generation across a 24 hour period. Despite the upfront costs and market saturation, developers nationwide are jumping into the solar market. These small community solar projects won’t supplant entire coal power plants, but they do help to distribute load across the grid.
13 high potential regions lack. Appleton then introduces new floating foundation technologies that will not only allow wind power to be harnessed in deep water, but also have less impact on the seabed than fixed bottom offshore wind. There is a potential of 7,000 GW of offshore floating wind power alone. That can help supplement and replace a major portion of the 15,000 GW produced from fossil fuels and renewable resources currently. The author continues that these floating foundations have several major advantages over previous technologies, and the challenges associated can be easily overcome as more development time is invested. Overall, Appleton suggests the technology is of great interest to the nation’s renewable energy market (p. 2 4). Despite wind power’s significant variability, it represents a major source of renewable energy for the United States with an attainable cost of entry to investors. Unfortunately, even this huge untapped potential is not enough to support a fully sustainable grid.
While other renewable technologies are lacking in flexibility, hydroelectric facilities possess critical features that allow them to abate the use of fossil fuels. In fact, the Office of Energy Analysis (2019) reports that hydropower represents three quarters of all renewable energy produced worldwide (p. 61 92). This is due to the enormous output of hydroelectric dams and their prevalence worldwide. A typical dam has twice the capacity of an average natural gas plant and ten times that of an average solar facility. While new hydroelectric dams are unlikely to be built in the United States due to ecological concerns, Webber (2016) suggests that expanding the generating capacity of existing dams could add as much as 15 percent additional power (p. 73). Another important feature of dams is their ability to provide power on demand, a critical component of maintaining a stable power grid and an
14 ability that other renewables lack. However, Mukheibir (2013) indicates this stored energy is heavily affected by the increasing global temperatures and reduced precipitation brought about by climate change. While hydro power provides a major source of flexible and renewable energy, it will struggle to maintain the consistency fossil fuels have traditionally provided.Growing the renewable sector is a vital part of creating a sustainable energy future; however, a transition of existing facilities to carbon neutral fuel sources must take place as well to reduce emissions and meet growing national energy demands. The trouble with most energy generated from renewable sources is its inability to stabilize the grid with peaking power, which manages rapid spikes in power consumption over the course of the day. To support surges in power demand moving forward, many fuel consuming facilities will need to remain in operation to support the grid. To keep plants environmentally sustainable, fossil fuel facilities will require extremely expensive carbon capture equipment, which is not fully developed at this time. However, there are two noteworthy carbon neutral fuel sources already available: biomass and nuclear power. One of the most promising technologies for meeting peak energy demand is biomass power, which is already being utilized sporadically throughout the US. Biomass provides energy in a comparable manner to existing fossil fuel plants. Regarding this alternative combustible fuel source, Karampinis (2015) explains: In many cases, power production from biomass is more expensive compared to fossil fuel alternatives due to higher fuel and investment costs as well as lower
15 electric efficiencies. However, its main advantage is that it is a renewable, carbon neutral feedstock that can support electricity grids for base load operation (p. 482). This technology has high potential for powering many midwestern states with a prominent farming and livestock industry. Fortunately, many existing coal and oil power plants can be converted to biomass fuel without significant modification. Even though biomass power generation burns its fuel, similar to fossil based facilities, Karampinis (2015) explains that it is still considered a carbon neutral technology due to the natural carbon absorption properties of plant based materials (p. 479). In addition to biomass, nuclear power is a valuable and proven zero carbon technology that provides a significant source of power. While nuclear energy has the potential for serious environmental consequences, it maintains the lowest source of emissions among fuel based power production. Not only that, but nuclear generation has the highest fuel energy density of any technology, allowing these plants to produce incredible amounts of power. However, Blumsack (2018) notes the construction of nuclear facilities presents among the highest capital costs of any technology. Due to strict regulations and mandatory safety systems, these facilities rarely find a suitable location to satisfy the initial design requirements. Unfortunately, the Office of Energy Analysis (2019) reports that, despite the many benefits of nuclear energy, growth in the US is predicted to remain stagnant (p. 61 92). While many officials have reservations with further developing nuclear power due to historical disasters, it still presents some of the safest and cleanest energy available.
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Since these carbon neutral fuel sources can only provide a replacement to fossil fuels in specific regions and situations, there remains a need to balance energy supply during peak times of day. The solution to this is energy storage systems, which can provide power on-demand to meet power grid fluctuations traditionally managed by fossil fuel plants. Energy storage has been used in small scale applications for several decades to supplement the run time of specialized power facilities. One of the oldest forms of this technology is pumped hydroelectricity. The National Hydropower association (2020) cites that “pumped storage is one of the most cost effective utility scale options for grid energy storage” and can provide substantial amounts of power in an instant to meet peak demands. Unfortunately, locations are constrained since pumped storage facilities rely on major elevation differences to generate adequate power. Thermal energy storage systems, which have been used in conjunction with solar plants, trap heat for use in powering steam generators during night hours. While effective, these systems are maintenance heavy and expensive to However,operate.recent advances in battery technology have led to a major improvement in their large scale storage potential. Battery storage facilities have small footprints and can be constructed near renewable power plants to help maintain production during off hours. In an interview regarding the future of solar and renewable power, Brinkman (2019) shares his insights regarding the challenges presented to the electrical grid. The energy group manager explains that states like California and Arizona are beginning to require the installation of energy storage alongside renewable power facilities. Brinkman states that lithium ion batteries are the best option available currently, but they lack longevity.
However, due to the increase in demand across the US, he has noticed an increase in research and development for battery storage technologies. As these storage facilities become prevalent across the nation, they will be able to displace the need to bring short term fossil plants online. Over the next two decades, the shift toward carbon neutral and renewable energy will cause a major disruption in the energy sector from both an economic and functional perspective. In an article for Bloomberg Businessweek, Natter (2019) breaks down the economic toll that emission reduction measures will have on the American economy. He outlines current measures in place across the major emission heavy industries in the United States, including transportation, energy, and agriculture. While transportation is the largest contributor to greenhouse gases, energy production is the second, and still major, emissions source in the country. Natter further details the need to create a cleaner energy sector through developing renewable energy resources and phasing out polluting technologies. He notes that de-carbonizing the power grid will be easier than other industries due to the nationwide regulations on power production but concludes that the effort will cost the United States $980 billion a year. Fortunately, many carbon reduction measures can be made in minor changes. Carbon neutral retrofits will allow some fossil fuel power plants to continue operation. Additionally, existing hydroelectric power can upgraded to support the reduction in fossil fuels, Mukheibir (2013) notes, through the “adoption of an incremental approach to improving infrastructure, will allow responses, such as raising the dam wall or constructing further run-of river plants in a catchment” (p.
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18 76). By improving major existing power plants, the energy industry will be able to avoid some of the more substantial costs associated with new construction. Electrical power is one of the most important industries in the modern world. It has driven the progress of civilization across the fields of science and culture. However, burning fossil fuels has a detrimental effect on ecosystems across North America. Throughout the energy industry, there is a growing effort to reduce harmful emissions and develop renewable technologies. Stringent environmental controls are being installed on remaining fossil fuel power plants, and dozens of renewable energy sites are popping up around the nation. Unfortunately, this shift towards renewable energy generation presents a new set of challenges to maintaining the stable power grid that Americans have come to expect.
Variability in sun coverage and wind presence yield extreme drops in power production with very little notice. The on demand power from burning fossil fuels that prevents rolling blackouts must be replaced with alternative, carbon neutral fuel sources. Through these pioneering renewable resources and emissions free fuel sources, the energy industry is rapidly evolving and must help the United States in shaping an attainable and sustainable future.
19 References:
Karampinis, E., Kourkoumpas, D. S., Grammelis, P., & Kakaras, E. (2015). New power production options for biomass and cogeneration. WIREs: Energy & Environment, 471 485. Mukheibir, P. (2013). Potential consequences of projected climate change impacts on hydroelectricity generation. Climactic Change, 121(1). Retrieved from Environment Complete: https://doi org.ezproxy.scottsdalecc.edu/10.1007/s10584 013 0890-5
Appleton, T. (2020, January). Floating foundations: the next frontier in offshore wind power. Benchmark. Blumsack, S. (2018). Basic economics of power generation, transmission and distribution. Retrieved from Pennsylvania State University: www.e Brinkman,education.psu.edu/eme801/node/530M.R.(2019,February5).RegionalEnergy Group Manager. (S. Burks, Interviewer)
National Hydropower Association. (2020). Pumped Storage. Retrieved from National Hydropower Association: www.hydro.org/policy/technology/pumped storage Natter, A. (2019, May 13). Making America carbon neutral could cost $1 trillion a year.
Bloomberg Businessweek. Office of Energy Analysis. (2019). Annual Energy Outlook. Washington: U.S. Energy Information Administration. Webber, M. E. (2016). Thirst for Power: Energy, Water, and Human Survival. New Haven: Yale University Press.
20 Xia, V. (2019, May 23). When 100% renewable energy doesn't mean zero carbon. Retrieved from Stanford University: https://earth.stanford.edu/news/when 100 renewable energy doesnt mean zero carbon#gs.zalm6u
In an article by Gavin Rabinowitz, titled “Dalai Lama: Tibetans ‘suffering’ under China”, the Dalai Lama states that the Tibetan culture is “nearing extinction” and that they are experiencing a “hell on earth”. Tibet and the Chinese government have had a complicated past that revolves around the invasion of 1949, the Cultural Revolution of 1966, various uprisings, and violations against Tibet’s human rights. These violations according to The Universal Declaration of Human Rights include the rights of equality, religion, culture, and language. Most, if not all, of these rights have been violated by the Chinese government. These violations and past events have led to many disagreements, false imprisonments, and unjust actions enacted by the Chinese government. These events along with many other “sticky situations” between the provinces are reasons why Tibet needs to find immediate solutions. The Chinese government needs to either enact the Middle Way Approach, created by the Dalai Lama, and/or international governments need to move past the fear of losing ties with the Chinese government and try to help Tibet.
Either way could restore Tibet’s freedom of equality, religion, culture and language. As history has dictated, Tibet is now and has been a land plagued by injustice and suffering. Until the beginning of the 20th century, Tibet had been shut off from most outside influences, “isolated on an exotic plateau on the roof of the world” (Apte 1). In this solitude, the Tibetan people had prospered, primitively perhaps, but with great regard to their heritage, their culture, and with even greater reverence to their faith in Buddhism.
21 Cheyenne You English 102
The Struggle of Tibet’s Human Rights
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“The harsh natural conditions of the country forced Tibetans to develop a way of life that protected their delicate homeland and it’s limited resources and, at the same time, provided sustenance for their survival” (Apte 83). The debate over Tibet’s political status as an independent country, autonomous region, or province of China is a very complicated and, at best, confusing series of historical accounts, recounting a thousand years of invasions, unifications, and agreements, including foreign influence under the realms of the Mongols, British India, Nepal, the Manchu Emperors, and China. In the question of Tibet, the lines begin to blur when one tries to make clear distinctions between the political issues versus the historic, cultural, and humanistic issues afflicting Tibetan society. As Communist China stripped Tibet of their insular, mysterious veils of preservation and independence, the exposure left Tibet and their people vulnerable to losses of monumental proportions. When the People’s Liberation Army, sent by the Government of China, invaded Tibet in 1949, for the “Peaceful Liberation of Tibet”, so began the question of Tibet concerning the status of ownership and the detrimental effects this invasion has imposed on the Tibetan people, including their domestic, religious, and economic ways of life. “It was clear that Tibetans did not invite or want the Chinese to take over their land…[and] Tibetans soon realized that the Chinese goal was to completely absorb Tibet into their communist revolution” (Apte 85). As Chinese Tibetan relations worsened, the Communist government “confiscated the estates of the religious and secular elites, closed down most of Tibet’s several monasteries, and created a new Communist governmental structure” (Goldstein 55). It was at this point, in March of 1959, that the Dalai Lama “sought support for Tibet’s independence” (Goldstein 54).
The 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that “Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion”, however, in China’s viewpoint Buddhism only suppressed the Tibetan mind. In an attempt to eliminate Tibetan culture, the Chinese government has hit Tibet hardest at the religious level. This is because Buddhism is the backbone of the Tibetan people’s everyday existence. When the People’s Liberation Army entered into Tibet the wheel was set into motion to threaten the Tibetan belief system. The hopeless situation depicted “seven million Tibetans, reputed to be among the most pious and peace loving people in the world,…[finding] themselves assaulted by the forces of a billion Chinese ideologues who seemed to derive perverse delight from violating the monuments of their faith” (Iyer 69). Over 6,000 monasteries were destroyed and the sacred scriptures found in these monasteries were either burned, stuffed in mattresses, or used as toilet paper. “Monasteries became political meeting halls, granaries, guest houses, and pig farms” (Erickson 19). During the Cultural Revolution, “the Red Guards forced many monks and nuns to disrobe and marry, hundreds, perhaps thousands, went into hiding” (Erickson 179). The numbers of Tibetan monks killed is not clear, but it is certain to be in the thousands. There are innumerable sad and shocking stories depicting the horrors of what these monks and nuns have had to endure since the occupation of their homes, which are positioned directly in these monasteries. Chinese logic concluded that Tibet could only benefit under Communist rule. China would help modernize Tibet by eradicating the controlling Buddhism and help rebuild the very infrastructure of their society. “After the …[invasion], Buddhism was destroyed, and Tibetans were forced to abandon deeply held values and customs that went to the core of
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24 their cultural identity” (Goldstein 60). Before 1950, “Tibetans vividly remember a completely Tibetan Tibet…because there were no Chinese in Tibet…,[and] they believed (and believe) that Tibet should be run by Tibetans, use Tibetan language, and follow laws that are in accordance with the deeply felt values and beliefs at the heart of Tibetan culture” (GoldsteinArticle85).27
of The Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that “Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community”. In the efforts of Chinese modernization, high rise apartment buildings, discos, and karaoke bars have been erected. The distinctive architecture of Tibetan buildings have been replaced by drab colorless concrete buildings distinctive of Communist China. “The Chinese Communist Party restructured Tibet’s farming and nomadic pastoral areas into communes, and, under the banner of the Cultural Revolution…placed Tibetan traditional culture and religion under severe attack” (Goldstein 59). “Farmers and nomads existed on meager often near starvation rations, and the system allowed them no way out” (Erickson 53). “Tibetan dress…and the Tibetan language were derided and punished as backward and counterrevolutionary” (Erickson 19). In 1984, a new problem was generated in Tibet termed “economic integration”. This integration included the mass movement of Chinese Han and Muslim Hui relocating into Tibet. “The transfer of population, whether it is occurring as a deliberate policy or simply as a consequence of a Chinese attempt to ‘develop’ Tibet, is clearly having a devastating effect on the Tibetan way of life” (Altschiller 200). As the Tibetan people continue to protest in vain the continual immigration of the Han Chinese can only be described as cultural genocide.
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What Tibetans had once called their history was now demoted to logyu, or ‘individual story’…and Tibetan kings had been renamed lonpo, ministers, to once again suggest that Tibet had belonged to China over the centuries. (Erickson 121) With the Communist takeover, the Tibetan “language of some three million people with its singular and ancient script and rich body of literature became a minority language, subordinate to standard Chinese” (Erickson 118). With the Chinese language being integrated into every aspect of Tibetan life, the Tibetan people have no choice but to adapt to such changes as the need for survival would dictate. “Chinese is now the language of
The 26th article of The Universal Declaration of Human rights states that “Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.”, and that “Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children.”. The plight of Tibetan education raises questions toward the true motives of the Chinese government. China’s education system in Tibet emphasizes the study of the Chinese language over that of the Tibet language. “Many [critics] charge that Tibetans are not allowed to study their own language” (Erickson 100). A delegation of Tibetans in exile that were sent to Tibet observed major changes due to Chinese influence: All the public signs were in Chinese, official titles and agencies had been changed to Chinese forms,…and Tibetan cadres were giving their children Chinese names for official purposes. They reported that the Communists had altered the language to conform to their version of reality. The word for ‘religious faith’ had been banished and replaced by derogatory phrases meaning ‘blind faith’ or ‘faith of ignorance.’
With so much information historically and politically, again, the status of Tibet is a very complicated matter. It becomes evident after investigation that every aspect of Tibet and their people have been politically affected. China has held steadfast to their claim of
26 opportunity” (Erickson 129). “Some of China’s critics say the government harps on the theme of economic progress because it doesn’t understand that Tibetan values are decidedly less materialist than those of the Chinese…[because] many Tibetans are content with subsistence living, with a handful of tsampa and a good wool wrap to keep out the cold, and have little interest in struggling for more” (Erickson 50).
Tibet’s human rights have been infringed upon for decades, but now is the time to take action. Tibet has been suffering from violated human rights for years, and the Chinese government is to blame. Although there have been certain programs and campaigns in the past that have attempted to help Tibet, very few have made an impact. In an article by Free Tibet, titled “Human Rights in Tibet”, they discuss how various human rights in this region have been violated. The article states how the Tibetans face political oppression and violence including intense security and surveillance, consequences for peaceful protests and expressing a wish for freedom, and false imprisonments with a lack of reasoning behind them. The article also discusses how there is severe religious and cultural suppression in the province. This includes close monitorization of religious monasteries, prohibition of using the Tibetan flag and chanting the national anthem, consequences for practicing Tibetan Buddhism, and banning the use of their native language. These examples of how serious the situation in Tibet has become are reasons for why there are definite needs for solutions.
“ownership”, while in opposition the Tibetans, the Government of Tibet in Exile, including his Holiness the Dalai Lama, Tibet’s spiritual and political leader, and their growing wave of international supporters insist on an independent Tibet. It is in this conflict pitting Tibet against China that continues of leave the wounds of the Tibetan people open, vulnerable, and bleeding. “China’s overwhelming impact on Tibet and their people, and the lack of international support, have generated considerable pessimism for the future both inside and outside Tibet” (Apte 133). Though there are international pro Tibetan supporters from a handful of countries and organizations, their governments on the whole are hesitant to interfere with the “ownership” question of Tibet. Compassion for Tibet as a lost culture and as a persecuted nation, though, has tended to permeate in the media, especially lately with the interest in Buddhism and human rights issues. Are we in the West informed enough to draw an educated, informed conclusion on what is the best solution to this tragic situation? International countries keeping their silence on the matter of Tibet is not the right thing to do in this dire situation because, although these international governments could be risking their friendship/connections with the Chinese government, Tibet needs outside help if they are to receive their deserved human rights. International countries that have close ties with the Chinese government are hesitant to do anything to help Tibet because they are dependent on Chinese investments. However, in an article by Dustin Stokes, titled “Conflict Over Tibet: Core Causes and Possible Solutions”, Stokes discusses that in order to resolve the conflicts and violence in Tibet there is a need for immediate international assistance. In the article he also states that an international alliance between Tibet and other countries could help convince China to reconcile with Tibet. On a global scale, human
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28 rights should have a precedence over economic gain. In an article by Radio Free Asia, titled “Can the World Help Tibet?”, they discuss how international statements regarding Tibetan rights are constantly refused by Chinese diplomats who state that Tibet is rightfully theirs. This is an issue that could be resolved by a larger scale of international proclamation about the topic. In an article from Ellen Bork titled, “Tibet’s Transition”, she discusses how the American government has assisted Tibet. She states how the international recognition the Dalai Lama was receiving helped America put their effort towards helping Tibet after the Chinese Cultural Revolution. It is made clear in this article that Tibet has benefited from America’s efforts. Arijit Mazumdar wrote an article “Centrality of Tibet”, discussing how India has helped Tibet as well. In the article he states that India has not obliged to banish the Dalai Lama and end the Tibetan’s campaigning. Although India’s reasoning for this may be a selfish one, they are still willing to help Tibet as much as they can. These two articles also touch on how throughout the process of assisting Tibet, America and India could risk losing their friendly ties with the Chinese government. Although this is a risk that could lead to a dispute between countries, it could very well be a risk worth taking. This is because if in the future Tibet becomes an independent country, any assistance they would have received during their time of need would undoubtedly be noted and recognized. Positive actions towards the Tibetan region could also lead to an alliance between countries. The Dalai Lama could also be a very important connection to have. This is due to the significance of his presence as well as the multitude of his followers and believers. In the end, international governments could not only significantly better Tibet with their efforts, but also form important and reliable connections between countries.
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While the most logical solution may be to receive international help, another possible solution could be for the Tibetan and Chinese people to co exist peacefully in the province of Tibet through the Dalai Lama’s Middle Way Approach. This approach aims to bring about stability and co-existence between the Tibetan and Chinese peoples based on equality and mutual cooperation. This policy created democratically by the Central Tibetan Administration and the Tibetan people through a series of discussions has been ongoing for a long time. The Dalai Lama emphasizes the meaning of the Middle Way Approach: The Tibetan people do not accept the present status of Tibet under the People’s Republic of China. At the same time, they do not seek independence for Tibet, which is a historical fact. Treading a middle path in between these two lie the policy and means to achieve a genuine autonomy for all Tibetans living in the three traditional provinces of Tibet within the framework of the People’s Republic of China. This is a non partisan and moderate position that safeguards the vital interests of all concerned parties. For Tibetans: the protection and preservation of their culture, religion and national identity. For the Chinese: the security and territorial integrity of the motherland. For neighbors and other third parties: peaceful borders and international relations. In continuation, the Tibetan Administration also explains that: Irrespective of population size, economy or military strength, equality of nationalities means that all nationalities can co exist on an equal footing, without any discrimination based on one nationality being superior or better than the other. As such, it is an indispensable criterion for ensuring unity among the nationalities. If
30 the Tibetan and Chinese peoples can co exist on an equal footing, this will serve as the basis for guaranteeing the unity of nationalities, social stability and territorial integrity of the People’s Republic of China, which are of paramount importance to China. Therefore, the special characteristic of the Middle Way Approach is that it can achieve peace through non violence, mutual benefit, unity of nationalities and social Thestability.best and most peaceful solution in my opinion is for the Tibetans and Chinese to co exist through the Middle Way Approach. I believe this would be the best and most effective way because it could bring a sense of unity and cooperation between the provinces. This unity could lead to a significant decrease in violence and human rights violations. The Dalai Lama has searched for peaceful solutions for decades and has sought to answer so many issues that have plagued Tibet and its people, and I believe that his Middle Way Approach is brilliant. I feel that his solution is brilliant because it is purely peaceful and extremely compromising. Also, because the Middle Way Approach would be internal between Tibet and China, Tibet would not have to solely rely on international support. Although I believe this is the best way, it does not mean that there isn’t still a need for international attention, as the world needs to continue being the watch dog for any human rights violations from China towards Tibet.
My ultimate hope for Tibet and its people now lies in the ability to persuade China that it should act with moderation, respect the Tibetan people’s rights and enter into fair negotiations with the Dalai Lama, his representatives and the Tibetan people themselves in order to seek a peaceful and acceptable solution for all. This continues to be a difficult task
http://gerefoundation.orghttps://dalailamacenter.orghttps://tchrd.orghttps://tcv.org.inhttps://savetibet.orghttps://tibetfund.org
31 exemplified by two separate excerpt statements nearly forty years apart both written by the Dalai Lama. The first written in 1981 from the Dalai Lama to the former Chinese Chairman Deng Xiaoping states how over 90% of Tibetans had been experiencing horrible conditions that affected their mental and physical health. It also explains how the Dalai Lama made a plea for friendship and understanding between Tibet and China. The second excerpt is from the “Statement of His Holiness the Dalai Lama on the 52nd Anniversary of the Tibetan National Uprising Day”, written in 2011. It states how so many Tibetans continue to experience a constant feeling of uncertainty and fear. It explains how many innocent Tibetans are being wrongly imprisoned for defending their Tibetan culture and how even Chinese human rights activists have been arrested as well. The Dalai Lama also states, once again, that he continues to ask China for a compromise that would hopefully result in mutual friendship, as well as, acknowledge and grant basic human rights for all Tibetans.Make a difference by taking action to support Tibet. You can contribute to various organizations with the various links provided below. You can volunteer, intern, contribute/donate, or sponsor a Tibetan in need.
Tibet: Abode of the Gods / Pearl of the Motherland. Berkeley, Pacific View Press, 1997. Finney, Richard. “Can the World Help Tibet?” Radio Free Asia, 10 Aug. 2012, https://www.rfa.org/english/news/tibet/help 08102012141816.html
Altschiller, Donald, (Ed.). The Reference Shelf: China at the Crossroads. New York, H.W. Wilson Company, 1994. Apte, Robert Z. / Andres R. Edwards. Tibet: Enduring Spirit / Exploited Land. Sante Fe, Heartsfire Books, 1989. Bork, Ellen. “Tibet’s Transition.” World Affairs, vol. 175, no. 3, Sept. 2012, p. 38. EBSCOhost Erickson,live.search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=f5h&AN=83556645&site=ehost,Barbara.
32 Works Cited Page
Goldstein, Melvyn C. The Snow Lion and the Dragon: China, Tibet, and the Dalai Lama. Berkeley, University of California Press, 1997.
Iyer, Pico. Video Night in Kathmandu: and Other Reports from the Not So Far-East. New York, Knopf, 1998. Mazumdar, Arijit. “Centrality of Tibet.” Economic and Political Weekly, vol. 41, no. 41, 2006, pp. 4324 4325. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/4418804. Accessed 19 Mar. 2020.
“His Holiness’s Middle Way Approach For Resolving The Issue of Tibet.” His Holiness The 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet, https://www.dalailama.com/messages/tibet/middle way “Humanapproach.Rightsin Tibet.” Free Tibet, https://www.freetibet.org/about/human rights
Stokes, Dustin. “Conflict Over Tibet: Core Causes and Possible Solutions.” Beyond Intractability, Mar. 2010, https://www.beyondintractability.org/casestudy/stokes tibet.
Rabinowitz, Gavin. “Dalai Lama: Tibetans ‘suffering’ under China.” The San Diego Union Tribune, Mar. 2009, https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut india tibet 031009 2009mar10 story.html.
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34 Megan Ortega ENG 102
There is a systematic failure in our justice system that urgently needs to be acknowledged and addressed. The United States has the highest prisoner rate in the world. There are thousands of people behind bars right now that are not getting the treatment that they desperately need. Corruption, greed, and lack of empathy has created an environment that is not focused on the improvement of the individuals who enter the criminal justice system. People that are incarcerated are not being appropriately rehabilitated during their sentences. The private prison industry continues to make large profits from keeping people in prison and not providing rehabilitation, so individuals have a higher risk of returning to prison. Therefore, communities suffer when these individuals are released back into society without the tools and resources to stay crime free. The criminal justice system has failed to prioritize the wellbeing of humans. There needs to be incentives to create motivation for inmates to make a better use of their time while incarcerated. Providing an early release or deferred sentence for completing substance abuse or educational classes can create a positive goal and reward for people to improve their future. Additionally, there must be more resources provided to the minority and lower income communities because the individuals from these communities are unfairly targeted and incarcerated the most. American prisons have fallen behind the rest of the world. Change is often resisted from fear, it is time to look at a new way of thinking in
Breaking the Cycle and Fixing the Broken: Criminal Justice Reform
America. The criminal justice system is broken and the only way to fix it is to discontinue the old ways and try improved policies. Prisons in America should be reformed by providing more rehabilitation. With the growing number of addicts entering the criminal system, prison reform should include more substance abuse treatment. The Bureau of Justice Statistics has reported that approximately 83% of criminals have used drugs at some point in their life and 53% are on drugs when they are incarcerated, however, only about 20% are offered treatment during their sentence (Allen and Rich). The American prison system would improve if treatment for offenders was easily available. Substance abuse treatment in prisons reduces the chances of continuing criminal activity. According to the Charles Koch Institute, “Substance abuse treatment in one California prison resulted in a 48 percent reduction in reincarceration” (Mosteller). Tonry Michaels stated in an Oxford University Press, “Since the mid 1990s, a substantial body of evidence has accumulated that shows, for treatment programs generally and drug treatment particularly, that carefully targeted, well managed programs can reduce reoffending.” Drug addiction is a disease that can be treated. If treatment programs have been proven to reduce the chances of a person returning to prison, this is exactly what American prisons should be doing. Incarceration simply puts a band aid on the problem, in contrast, treatment programs can fix the issue at the root and can prevent people from returning to prison. If a drug addict is not rehabilitated when they leave jail or prison, they have a high risk a reoffending, which consequently does not keep communities safe or help the untreated addict. Substance abuse treatment is more important than profits, however, many states allow private prisons to make a profit based on how many
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Treating criminal’s substance abuse will save taxpayers money. According to the article by the Foundations Recovery Network, “If 40 percent of addicted offenders received treatment instead of jail, those savings would rise to $12.9 billion.” Treating a person’s drug addiction is less expensive than incarcerating them for long periods of time. It is simply a better use of time, resources, and money to provide programs for people who are dealing with addiction. Therefore, as some people are not concerned with the humanitarian reasons for prison reform, perhaps talking about money and personal wallets may have some effect. American taxpayers are spending billions on prisons and jails. It is costing taxpayers more money to incarcerate than if America were to put more focus on treatment, we can save money and help struggling addicts by making a change in the way we return inmates back into society. Additionally, long prison sentences do not deter people from committing or recommitting crimes.
36 inmates they are housing at a time. Based on the 2018 report published by the Sentencing Project, “For profit prison companies exist to make money, and therefore the size and status of the country’s criminal justice system is of upmost importance to them” (Gotsch and Vinay). Research has shown that drug treatment significantly reduces the chance of a person reoffending, so it is important to pay attention to those who are benefitting from having people incarcerated. Private prisons make money on each inmate per day. The political influences that these private prisons have is a clear conflict of interest. Private prisons are unethical and do not show enough effort towards rehabilitation and treating the inmates. The private prisons do not want the inmates receiving treatment, that way they can make more money when the addict continues to use drugs and then reoffends.
Another way that prisons should be reformed is to offer shortened or deferred sentences for completion of rehabilitation programs. Prison does not scare people away from committing crimes, therefore, resources, treatment programs and education would be a better use of a defendant’s time. Based on the 2016 article by the National Institute of Justice, “Prisons are good for punishing criminals and keeping them off the street, but prison sentences (particularly long sentences) are unlikely to deter future crime.” Prison sentences are supposed to be a consequence to illegal activity. Consequences are created to deter people from illegal or bad behavior. However, if the consequence is not deterring people from those acts or behaviors, it makes more sense to revamp and try a different approach. Having inmates focus on rehabilitation and keeping the sentences shorter or avoid prison entirely could lower the chances of reoffending. The article by the National Institute of Justice further states, “Prisons actually may have the opposite effect: Inmates learn more effective crime strategies from each other, and time spent in prison may desensitize many to the threat of future imprisonment.” The more time a person spends in prison, the more time they spend with other criminals who are exchanging criminal information. The longer the person is in prison the more comfortable they are with the idea of returning. Furthermore, offering more mental health rehabilitation can keep communities safe and benefit mentally ill individuals. Prisons and the mental health care system need to be reformed because prisons and jails do not have enough resources to handle mental illness effectively (Roth). Just as substance abuse, mental health is an illness that needs treatment. In a film by Films Media Group, it is stated, “More than a million Americans with mental health problems are behind bars. It's just abundantly clear that we
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Lastly, the American criminal justice system needs reform, as it disproportionately incarcerates minorities and people that live in lower income communities. People who are
38 have criminalized mental illness.” In the early 1900s America used to have harsh mental health facilities that mistreated and abused mentally ill patients. A lot of these facilities were found to be inhumane and steps were taken to shut down or improve these types of facilities. Today, we see the mentally ill mistreated in prisons and jails; “Around 24,000 Americans with mental health problems are being held in solitary confinement. Not so different from the old days” (Films Media Group). If more prisons offered inmates early release or deferred sentences based on education class completion, substance abuse treatment or mental health treatment, it would improve the quality of life for that person and help the communities they live in. For example, if a prisoner were sentenced to two years in prison, they could be offered four months early release for drug treatment and another six months early release for a vocational skills class completion. This would allow the prisoner to gain skills, be treated for substance abuse, focus on positive rehabilitation while in prison and provides an incentive to educate themselves and be treated. The prisoner would be returning to society with a better chance of employment, sobriety, and crime free lifestyle, which is better for that person but also the community. Deferred sentences could also be offered for nonviolent crimes or for people who suffer from mental illness. Deferred sentences include setting out sentencing for a future date and allowing the person to complete classes and/or treatment instead of going to prison. If the person completes the required programs, the prison order can be vacated. This allows people to rehabilitate with an incentive to avoid prison.
39 black or live in lower income communities are more likely to end up in the criminal justice system. The prison system incarcerates more black people than any other race. Based on ArcGIs Online, “Black people only make up about 13% of the U.S. population, but they make up most of the prison population.” The reason more black people are in jail than white people is not because black people are committing more crimes. Blacks are discriminated against and racial profiled when encountering corrupt law enforcement officers (ArcGIS Online). These types of injustices show that America has a racism problem that is still prevalent today. Black citizens receive harsher sentences than white people that commit the same crimes. ArcGIS Online further states, “A black male is more likely to serve a longer sentence than a white male for the exact same sentence”. The judicial system needs a reform so these injustices can be identified. If America were to investigate the facts and identify the racism and injustice practices of law enforcement and the judicial branches, we can start to shed light on it and demand change. People that are incarcerated are making a lot less money than people who are not incarcerated. Based on the 2015 report by Prison Policy Initiative, “In 2014 dollars, incarcerated people had a median annual income of $19,185 prior to their incarceration, which is 41% less than non incarcerated people of similar ages” (Rabuy and Kopf). Based on the study done on prisoners from the ages of 27 42, the research shows that incarcerated people make a significantly less amount per year than the average for everyone else their age. Lower income individuals not only have a higher chance of going to prison, that also means they are likely to reoffend. America could do more to offer lower income communities more resources to better assist the lower income families. In lower income communities, you see more drug use and criminal
Statistics have shown that black people are given longer sentences for the same crimes that white people commit. Furthermore, the professor mentions bad choices, but does not seem to have any better solution other than long prison sentences. Interestingly, the way he is suggesting keeping long sentences is clearly not working, it has been proven to increase incarceration. Mandatory-minimum sentences do not give room to incentivize addicts to get treatment or education. Additionally, having a minimum sentence for a crime
A well thought criminal justice reform plan would improve the lives of so many Americans. However, the opposing view of Bill Otis exposes some insight on a different perspective. The Georgetown University Law Professor and Sentencing Commission Nominee, Bill Otis, has some opposite views. In an Article by The New Republic, it is explained that the Professor believes that the minority disproportion in the criminal justice system is not based on racism, but simply people that are choosing to make bad decisions. The article further explains that Otis believes mandatory minimum sentences are successful. However, these views are one dimensional. First, Otis cannot confidently say that he knows for a fact that all law enforcement officers, or judicial officers are not racist.
40 activity. The young people of these communities get sucked into “the life” of being a criminal when they are surrounded by crime. This is a cycle that can be broken. The criminal justice system should be reformed to assist lower income and minorities families that are being targeted and disproportionately locked up. When someone is released from prison there should be more resources for them to secure employment and stay crime free. The more programs offered to support people that are released, the higher the chances that they can be successful and avoid returning to prison.
Countries such as Norway have a low reincarceration rate of 20%, compared to 76% in America, because Norway focuses on preparing the inmate to better themselves in the community when released (Sterbenz). Bill Otis clearly has no desire to see prisoners rehabilitated. Having someone like Otis nominated for the Sentencing Commission is an example of people in power going against ideas and policies that help communities, simply for their own political gain. People tend to shy away from issues that do not directly affect them. That is the problem with prison reform, most people who are voting or have power to change the system do not feel the need to empathize for those affected. Americans have become significantly desensitize to the way we treat people that make mistakes. Prisons are making the private prison system a money making machine. Instead of focusing on the punishing and profits, the focus should be on the healing those that need to be healed. It is better for them and better for the country. This can happen from simple compassion for wanting people who live in this country to thrive and improve their lives. Another way this can happen is to look at the risks that affect everyone. If prisoners come out of prison and are at high risk of committing more crimes, those crimes can be against children or elderly. Those crimes could be against you or someone you know. If the compassion is not inside of people, is protecting your community at least on the priority list? I think majority of people can agree with either the humanitarian side or the protecting their community side. Politics
41 does not allow a judge to determine if someone would be better suited for a treatment program instead of prison. It is this old way of thinking that keeps setting the country behind so many other countries who have adopted new views to embrace rehabilitation.
42 or ethical views aside, at the end of the day, it truly does not matter what side you are on, most can agree that the criminal justice system needs to be reformed.
ArcGIS Online. "Why Do We Need Prison Reform." n.d. ArcGIS 9388ba5c9b9b.https://www.arcgis.com/apps/MapJournal/index.html?appid=142a744e12b54666a1eaOnline.12July2020.
Allen, Scott A., and Josiah D. Rich. “Prisons and Mental Health.” The New England Journal of Medicine, vol. 356, no. 2, 2007, pp. 197 198., doi:10.1056/NEJMc066572. Accessed 12 July 2020. Bedlam Behind Bars: Mental Health Problems in American Prisons. Dir. Films Media Group. Films on Demand. 2014. https://fod com.ezproxy.scottsdalecc.edu/p_ViewVideo.aspx?xtid=95045infobase.
43 Works Cited
Ford, Matt. “The Man Who Hates Criminal Justice Reform.” The New Republic, 7 May 2018, newrepublic.com/article/148307/man hates criminal justice reform. Foundations Recovery Network. "Drug Rehab Instead of Prison Could Save Billions." n.d. Dualdiagnosis.org. https://dualdiagnosis.org/drug rehab instead of prison could save billions says Gotsch,0drastical2/#:~:text=Costs%20related%20to%20incarceration%20are,patients%20will%20be%2reportly%20reduced.11July2020.KaraandBastiVinay."CapitalizingonMassIncarceration:U.S.GrowthinPrivatePrisons."18August2018.TheSentencingProject.
Roth, Alisa. Insane: America's Criminal Treatment of Mental Illness. New York: Basic Books, 2018. com.ezproxy.scottsdalecc.edu/ehost/ebookviewer/ebook?sid=82289ed3https://web-b-ebscohost
11 July 2020.
44 https://www.sentencingproject.org/publications/capitalizing
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Rabuy,%20our%20prison%20systemreformmatters/#:~:text=Prison%20reform%20is%20one%20remedy,culture%20withinprison.B.,&Kopf,D.(2015,July9).
Mosteller,live&scope=site.search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=e000xna&AN=311102&site=ehostEBSCOhost,Jeremiah.“WhyPrisonReformMattersinAmerica.”
on mass incarceration-us-growth in private prisons/. 12 July 2020. National Institute of Justice. "Five Things About Deterrence." 5 June 2016. National Institute of Justice Website. nij.ojp.gov/topics/articles/five things deterrence#:~:text=2.,unlikely%20to%20deter%20future%20aboutcrime.
Prisons of Poverty: Uncovering the pre incarceration Incomes of the imprisoned. Retrieved July 12, 2020, from Prison Policy Initiative.
Charles Koch Institute, www.charleskochinstitute.org/issue areas/criminal justice policing reform/why
Mallenhoff, Quintan B. Criminal Reform : Prisoner Reentry Into the Community. Nova Science Publishers, Inc, 2009.
Sterbenz, Christina. “Why Norway's Prison System Is So Successful.” Business Insider, Business Insider, 11 Dec. 2014, www.businessinsider.com/why norways prison system is so successful 2014 12.
45 a056 1374a297bada%40pdc-v-sessmgr03&vid=0&format=EK
Tonry, Michael. The Future of Imprisonment. Oxford University Press, 2004. live&scope=site.search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=e000xna&AN=129248&site=ehostEBSCOhost,
China created the “re education camps” on the principal to convert Uyghurs into Chinese conformists, taking away their religious freedom. In Elizebeth Van Wie Davis’s journal article, “Uyghur Muslim Ethnic Separation in Xinjiang, China”, she goes in depth on the history of the relationship between Chinese officials and Uyghurs living in Xinjiang. Their “feud” began during the Cold War when the communist Soviet Union had a big influence over China, specifically Xinjiang, where the high minority was Uyghurs. As a result
Enslaved Muslims Robbed of Freewill, Religion, and Hope
Dystopia is classified as a totalitarian society in which the government oppresses its citizens to obtain complete conformity and social control. Although dystopia is an imagined state, China controversially opened “political re education camps” detaining innocent Uyghurs to achieve the same goals as a dystopian society. The “political re education camps” for Uyghurs in Xinjiang, China is a violation of human rights, after blatant discrimination, they are unlawfully detained in camps then stripped from their freedoms of religion, language, and culture. Chinese officials, fearing Muslim extremists, created laws restricting Uyghurs from living the traditional Muslim lifestyle. In fury, Uyghurs began stabbings and bombings in Xinjiang to force the Chinese government to repeal these laws, however, China only increased their police brutality towards them. China villainized Uyghurs in the mass media to create a victim narrative for themselves, an excuse, to create concentration camps where minorities are enslaved then robbed of their free will and religion.
46 Emily Majercin Eng. 102
Without probable cause, the Chinese army roams the streets of Xinjiang imprisoning innocent Uyghurs against their free will. Lucy Hornby wrote in the journal article, “China defends Xinjiang camps for Muslim citizens”, that Uyghurs were taken against their will to concentration camps, many families were completely separated and
47 of Russia’s communist ideology, Chinese officials started burning down sacred Muslim places of worship in fear of Muslim extremists. The increased police in this area enacted mass shootings and bombings from the Uyghurs and thus harsher police brutality. China then passed laws prohibiting Muslims from growing long facial hair, wearing hijabs, and homeschooling their children, all of these are key factors practiced in the Muslim faith. Davis also explains from the events that occurred in Xinjiang, all around China Muslims began to be the targets of hate crimes. As a result of this many Muslims had to stop wearing hijabs and preying in public in fear that they would be seriously injured or killed. In the article written by CNN, “Thousands of Uyghur Muslims detained in Chinese 'political education' camps.", it reads that once Uyghurs enter the camps that they are no longer able to carry their Muslim identity. If they prey or practice anything regarding the Muslim faith, such as wearing hijabs, they will receive capital punishment. Since these camps began two years ago China is yet to see a decrease in violent crimes caused by Muslim extremists. It has not been proven that creating laws prohibiting Uyghurs from practicing their faith has affected getting rid of Muslim extremists. The freedom of religion is a basis in which many countries and civilizations have been created. Immediately with being involuntarily detained, stripped of your personal beliefs and morals, comes the loss of choice thus free will.
48 young children were placed in orphanages. Chinese officials falsely claim that the camps are optional and many Uyghurs are excited about becoming more educated on the history of China and practicing the Chinese language. Officials also claim that after the camps Uyghurs will better integrate into society and become prosperous citizens. The “program” will be over for the individual once they master all of the skills. China hasn’t left a paper trail of the Uyghurs living in the camps so it is impossible to say the exact amount, but it is estimated to be in the millions. Since the opening of the camps no prisoners have been released. Millions of Uyghurs are losing years of their life locked up to possibly never see the outside world again. Chris Buckley and Amy Qin published a news article, “Muslim Detention Camps Are Like ‘Boarding Schools’, Chinese Official Says.”, where they spoke to West Chinese officials about what’s happening in Xinjiang. Chinese officials claim everyone inside the camp is well treated and voluntarily joined. However, looking at satellite images of the facility millions of people could not possibly live a sustainable life there. The conditions are predicted to be extremely cramped, with little to no showers, and a lack of food and water. In a journal written by Nodirbek Soliev, “Uyghurs Violence and Jihadism in China and Beyond.”, he compares the re education camps in Xinjiang to ones in Europe around World War II. From his research, he concluded that to take people from a different ideology and create conformism it is necessary for there to be maltreatment. China is forcing Uyghurs into these camps and torturing them just like the Nazis did in the Holocaust. As your religious beliefs are deeply embedded in your beliefs and values, it becomes a sense of identity. Your beliefs and morals subconsciously dictate every decision you make, to convert someone is blatantly violating their free will to have their thoughts
49 and choices. China no longer considers Uyghurs to be people with self expression, rather a mindless pawn that will serve the government's wants, a slave. The act of owning another person is a concept that mankind has deemed as a beyond criminal act in which one thinks life is as important as an object. Alongside converting Uyghurs into conformists China has turned the “re education camps” into forced labor camps. In the Forbes article, “China Moves Uyghur Muslims Into “Forced Labor” Camps”, Jack Kelly describes amid the coronavirus pandemic China needed more labor workers so Chinese officials moved a majority of the Uyghurs into factories to work. After being wrongly discriminated against these Chinese citizens were involuntarily detained then forced to work without pay or choice. The forced labor factories where many Uyghurs work produce goods for brands like Apple and Nike, aware of this the United States continues to do business with China. Adrian Zenz in “Xinjiang New Slavery”, articulates the strategie of China imprisoning Uyghurs as slaves are for social control. China does not want the minorities of their country to be prosperous, rather using them as vehicles to make money. Among the many tragedies of the situation, many of the Uyghurs that have been imprisoned were successful doctors, scientists, and entrepreneurs. Similar to slave owners in the southern United States pre Civil War, slaves were seen as machines and if a machine stops working efficiently you throw it out and get a new one. It has been two years since the camps have opened and China got away with imprisoning innocent people. Uyghurs are now forced to work and when they can’t they are thrown into unlivable living conditions, and China has an endless supply of free labor to choose from. Zenz also
Soliev writes in the journal article that after these laws were enforced the intended effect, to stop Muslim extremists, actually caused more violent crimes in Xinjiang. People were outraged by the oppression the Chinese government was forcing onto Muslim people. K. Camiel writes in The Washington Post, "China's Human Rights Violations: FINAL Edition.", once word of these laws got out to the wider public, smaller Muslim nations like Saudi Arabia were outraged. Many Muslim extremists flocked to China and expressed their anger in violence, causing innocent Chinese civilians to die in the process. Although it is true Uyghurs have committed devastating crimes it is important to understand the unfair treatment caused by the uproar. Now voiceless Uyghurs have no control over the narrative
50 speculates that China’s grand scheme of the “re education camps” were to gain more enterprises building factories in Xinjiang, making China more money and giving them more power, which they have succeeded at.
Many countries across the world categorize Uyghurs as terrorists, believing the “political re education” camps are an adequate response to their behavior and are not a violation of their human rights. Davis explains in her article, over the past few decades many people on both sides of the feud have died, it is apparent that China needed to take action to stop the violence. With little research it is easy to assume that Muslim extremists caused the violence in China, however, taking a closer look, China repressing Islam was the cause. China passing laws prohibiting Muslims from celebrating their faith or they would receive capital punishment is a direct violation of human rights. An important human right is the right to practice the religion of our choice, in essence, the way we want to live life.
Robert D. Kaplan wrote in the Wall Street Journal, "Why China is Brutally Suppressing Muslims.", after the satellite images of the facilities where China holds the “political re education camps” that indicated millions of Uyghurs were locked up were released small Muslim countries started speaking out against China for oppressing their people. However, due to their small size and very little influence they have over other countries, speaking out against China did not affect. K. Cimel writes in “China’s Human Rights Violations: FINAL Edition”, many people around the world are disgusted by these concentration camps but since their government isn’t doing anything they can’t do anything. As individual people, we
51 in the mass media, leaving China to manipulate the public into believing these camps are beneficial.As these devastating crimes are happening almost a world away from the United States, many people wonder why they should care simply because it is not happening to them, this is the attitude of many countries. If China is having a problem with their civilians then why step in to help them create a viable solution. This indifferent mindset is similar to the one countries had during World War II. First, Hitler took over Germany but his Nazism influence slowly then all at once took over half of Europe. China is a leading superpower and has great influence over billions of people, like creating current fashion and manufacturing trends then possibly in the future, influencing totalitarianism like the government. Have world leaders learned from past historical mistakes, will they step in before it becomes too late? As China is one of the world’s leading superpowers it is intimidating and nearly impossible for one small country or community to stand up against the crimes in Xinjiang.
52 can’t stop a whole nation from committing these crimes. The strength in people being aware of these crimes is people recognizing that millions of lives are being taken by China. Also being aware of the history between China and the Uyghurs can show people across the world how important it is to respect other religions. The weakness of people just being educated on this topic is them recognizing that nothing is being done to save lives. Not only are lives being lost but that people feel that their voice has no power is a tragedy. For example, someone in the United States knowing about these camps but feeling unable to speak out or there’s no use in standing up is an extreme failure the government has created. As countries citizens have no voice it is up to the government to make these changes and stand up to China. As China is a superpower they have many large countries that are allied to them, where speaking out against something they did would cause a catastrophe like war. In Davis’s journal article, she illustrates many countries’ stance on Uyghurs. Coincidentally, countries that rely on their relationship with China to economically boost their corporations, thus the country as a whole, are staying silent on these controversial ideals. The United States, which highly relies on the US China trade relationship, placed Uyghurs on the terrorist list in 2005 but remained silent on China's new laws and regulations. As the United States was formed on the idea of freedom of religion and free will, oddly, the government has not spoken up about the tragedies going on. Looking back at WWII as an example, the United States took a long time to enter the war which caused millions of more lives to be lost than if they immediately put a stop to Hitler’s actions when they saw it was a violation of human rights. Kaplan, taking a look at Islamic countries, like Saudi Arabia, who
53 originally spoke out against the Chinese detainment camps, after signing commercial contracts with China they retracted their original statements. China, being one of the richest countries in the world, has the power to enrich impoverished countries simply by signing trade deals, financing infrastructure, or becoming allies. To Saudi Arabia and other small countries, China could help their country prosper. China pays the world to turn a blind eye, they pay for silence. The strength of China paying off countries to not speak out is that those countries who originally spoke out now have powerful allies. Poor countries who weren’t able to prosper before are now able to. The weakness of this is how easily the Chinese government can do what they want and the world is fully aware is compliant. As people are increasingly becoming aware of this, it makes people wonder what else the government could be being paid off to keep secret. People are now less likely to comply with and trust their government all across the world. It will take a major change in our government to effect change and that needs to start with the people. To enforce real change in this world it is up to the people around the world to stand up to their government and hold them accountable. Referring back to Davis’ article, it is apparent the government will not do anything as they are benefiting from their exchange with China. Similar to the Women's March held every January, women ban together and force people to acknowledge the injustices against women that happen every day. It is shown that throughout the years these marches have done a good job of educating the public about discrimination of women and domestic violence. If we the people can hold marches around the globe spreading awareness on Uyghurs being enslaved in China, it is proven that change will come. Hornby states in her article that Muslims who have not been
Whileinjustices.inhistory class many consider the past to be a fever dream, as we see glimpses of our past nation's struggles present today. It is vital to recognize the mistakes of those who came before us so as not to repeat them. This is up to the people who have a voice to speak for those defenseless. Until then, Uyghurs will continue to live in a very real dystopian existence.
54 detained but still living in Xinjiang say the living conditions are tough, that they fear hate crimes. She also mentions that China is controlling the narrative and portraying how awful Uyghurs are, that they are the threat. If Muslims in China could take to social media or talk to news outlets telling the truth, that would bring an immense change. As this situation is comparable to the concentration camps during the Holocaust it is our job to step in and put a stop to this, even though it is not affecting us directly. If the majority of countries that do business with China stop until China has released everyone detained in these labor camps, then that will be a guaranteed way to get justice. China can only survive so long without the economic income that trade and embargo from other countries bring. The strength of this plan is it is a guaranteed way for the Uyghurs to be released. Holding marches and rallies force the mass media to bring attention to the issue. The weakness is that countries that rely on China for trade will have to find new allies for the time being. However, if all countries agree to do this, a threat towards China will be a big enough gesture for them to release the Uyghurs. We the people need to stand up and fight for human rights
Buckley, Chris, and Amy Qin. “Muslim Detention Camps Are Like 'Boarding Schools,' Chinese Official Says.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 12 Mar. 2019. Web. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/12/world/asia/china xinjiang.html Accessed 1 March 2020
Dixon, Robyn. "U.N. Accuses China of Holding More than a Million Muslims in a Secret Web of Detention Centers."ProQuest, Aug 31, com.ezproxy.scottsdalecc.edu/docview/2098093011?accountid=227https://ezproxy.scottsdalecc.edu/login?url=https://search2018.-proquest-.
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Kaplan, Robert D. "Why China is Brutally Suppressing Muslims." Wall Street Journal, Sep 17, 2018. ProQuest, Web. https://ezproxy.scottsdalecc.edu/login?url=https://search proquest com.ezproxy.scottsdalecc.edu/docview/2104938033?accountid=227. Accessed 1 March 2020
"Thousands of Uyghur Muslims detained in Chinese 'political education' camps." CNN Wire, 3 Feb. 2018. Gale OneFile: News, https://go 0&v=2.1&it=r&sid=summoncom.ezproxy.scottsdalecc.edu/ps/i.do?p=STND&u=mcc_sctsd&id=GALE|A52607927galeAccessed6Mar.2020.
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Cmiel, K. "China's Human Rights Violations: FINAL Edition." The Washington Post, Jan 31, 1997, pp. A, 20:1. ProQuest, https://ezproxy.scottsdalecc.edu/login?url=https:Web.//search com.ezproxy.scottsdalecc.edu/docview/408292346?accountid=227proquest.
Zenz, Adrian. “Xinjiang's New Slavery.” Foreign Policy, 11 Dec. 2019, foreignpolicy.com/2019/12/11/cotton china uighur labor xinjiang new slavery/.
Van Wie Davis, Elizebeth. “Uyghur Muslim Ethnic Separatism in Xinjiang, China.” Asian Affairs, vol. 35, no. 1, 2008, pp. 15 29. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/27821503. Accessed 6 Mar. 2020. Soliev, Nodirbek. “Uyghurs Violence and Jihadism in China and Beyond.” Counter Terrorist Trends and Analyses, vol. 11, no. 1, 2019, pp. 71 75. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/26568580.
Accessed 6 Mar. 2020. Lucy Hornby in Beijing. "China defends Xinjiang camps for Muslim citizens". FT.com, October 17, 2018, Wednesday. https://advance 5TH8com.ezproxy.scottsdalecc.edu/api/document?collection=news&id=urn:contentItem:lexis4FN1F03963VJ0000000&context=1516831.AccessedMarch6,2020.
Accessed March 8, 2020. Kelly, Jack. “China Moves Uyghur Muslims Into 'Forced Labor' Factories.” Forbes, Forbes Magazine, 5 Mar. 2020, www.forbes.com/sites/jackkelly/2020/03/05/china moves uyghur muslims into forced labor factories/#3ce40044e5a6.
57 Justin Scholtes ENG. 102
The Weaponization of Space: Preventable or Soon to be Unforgettable?
The weaponization of space has evolved into something capable of changing the entire dynamic of space. Outer space has always been militarized, not to mean that space warfare has been conducted with weapons capable of inflicting damage, but that military operations routinely use satellites for GPS, communication, and gathering intelligence. The weaponization of space revolves around building and deploying weapons into orbit that are capable of destroying or damaging other space assets. The weapons could also be on the ground and still be considered a space weapon because missiles could still be sent into outer space to damage a space object, which has been done in the past. Ever since space exploration first began, government officials and scientific experts have always assumed that space would be used for peaceful purposes only. The United States has the highest number of assets in space, and now the administration feels that the security of these assets is inadequate up against potential space weapons other countries have developed or are currently developing. In December of 2019, the U.S. established the United States Space Force (USSF) as the official sixth branch of the U.S military. The USSF’s mission is to train and equip space forces to properly defend the U.S. against any threats in space, as well as increasing the United States overall space power (“U.S. Space Force,” par. 2). The government has voiced that the security of the United States space assets is more apparent now than ever, so much so that a separate branch of the military was created (“U.S. Space Force,” par. 3). The
58 creation of the space force sounds like good news, but the weaponization of space will ultimately lead to a new arms race. The United States, as well as many other countries, has already partaken in the creation of space weapons and will continue to do so. Treaties and policies have been able to prevent the deployment of weapons into space, but current policies are no longer suitable for these circumstances. In order to prevent the weaponization of space, governments across the world must develop and agree on a policy in line with the principles of the Outer Space Treaty of 1967 (OST) and the Prevention of the Placement of Weapons in Outer Space Treaty, The Threat or Use of Force Against Outer Space Objects (PPWT). Space debris is already one of the most pressing issues revolving around space, and with the developing weaponization of space, adding harmful weapons into orbit would make things exponentially worse. According to Mark Garcia, an editor and writer for NASA, “orbital debris is any man made object in orbit about the Earth which no longer serves a useful function. Such debris includes nonfunctional spacecraft, abandoned launch vehicle stages, mission related debris and fragmentation debris” (par. 5). Back in 2007, China launched off an anti satellite test on one of their own weathered satellites, and the destruction created so much debris that there are still remnants of it today (Grimal and Sundaram, par. 18). Space debris poses major threats to satellites and other space assets, especially with the United States having over 800 active satellites in orbit (“Competing in Space,” par. 12). With the amount of space debris building up, space is becoming more congested than it ever has been. NASA has estimated that there is over 500,000 pieces of space debris that is actively roaming in orbit, with the oldest piece dating all the way back
59 to 1958 (par. 21). This amount of space debris proposes serious issues to the launch of new space assets as well as current assets in outer space, with the majority being satellites. If warfare was to be brought into space, the amount of debris that would be created from satellites or other space objects being destroyed would be astronomical. Furthermore, space debris travels at speeds close to 17,500 mph, which could make even the smallest piece of debris capable of damaging important space assets (Garcia, par. 1). The threat posed by space debris is serious and should be taken into consideration when it comes to countries preparing to deploy space objects into orbit. The weaponization of space would inevitably lead to a new arms race which would lead to imbalances of power across the world. A new arms race would lead to countries racing to develop the most powerful weapons that could be used against each other, in order to obtain superiority and gain military dominance in space. These actions greatly increase the chance of going to war. A new arms race would also be extremely costly and would lead to billions of dollars being spent on weapon production. In 2020, the Department of Defense asked for over $14 billion dollars to be put towards space advancements and over $70 million dollars to start up the developing space force (McInnis and McCall, par. 18). The weaponization of space is slowly becoming a reality. It is believed that U.S. advantages in space are now at risk, which poses a serious problem, one that could lead to a possible arms race (par. 12). If the U.S. feels the weapons that have already been developed by other countries overpower the current advantages that the U.S. holds, could potentially lead the United States to develop even more space weapons, putting the fragile environment of space in harm’s way. The development of space weapons carries a
In order to ensure the safety of outer space as well as the earth, the Outer Space Treaty of 1967 was created. The OST entered as the first multi lateral treaty that was agreed upon for the sake of keeping the peace in outer space. The OST is still in tact today. The treaty engraves that all countries or states have the right to access and explore space freely, and that no one country can claim ownership or rights to any celestial bodies or space itself (Conrad, et al., par. 6). It lists specific rules on what can or cannot be done in outer space. One thing the OST treaty prohibits is the placement of nuclear weapons or weapons capable of mass destruction (par. 8). According to Walt Conrad, “the treaty also prohibits the establishment of military bases, installations, or fortifications on any celestial body” in order to prevent one state or country from obtaining superiority over space (par.
60 domino effect along with it, meaning that if one country begins to move towards gaining military dominance over space, it would inevitably lead other countries to continue enhancing their military space powers as well (McInnis and McCall, par. 12). It is also relevant that over 50 nations now have a presence in space, and the desire for control over space is real (Conrad and Anderson, et al., par. 14). With the growing desire for control over space, countries may negatively look to weapons as the answer to protect these assets, rather than policies. Over the last several decades, different policies and treaties have been in place preserving the peaceful use of outer space for all nations. No one country could rule over space and obtain superiority. The OST of 1967 is one policy that kept weapons out of space, and the PPWT is a solution in progress. Without developing treaties against the weaponization of space, space would already be a galaxy filled with warfare.
61 9). Both of these prohibitions were crucial for the beginning of establishing safe and peaceful explorations of outer space. Although the OST prohibits the use of nuclear weapons in space, it does not ban the use of space weapons in general, or even define what a “weapon” consists of (par. 8). The OST has prevented any threat of nuclear weapons but doesn’t answer the pressing issue of ordinary space weapons being assembled and deployed into orbit. The Outer Space Treaty has laid the groundwork for corresponding treaties and has prevented the deployment of weapons into space for over 50 years now.
The PPWT was developed to establish rules that would prevent the deployment of weapons into outer space. The PPWT narrows in and becomes more specific on what issues need to be addressed to prevent the weaponization of space. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China states that, . . . the term "weapon in outer space" means any outer space object or its component produced or converted to eliminate, damage or disrupt normal functioning of objects in outer space, on the Earth's surface or in the air, as well as to eliminate population, components of biosphere important to human existence, or to inflict damage to them by using any principles of physics. (Conrad, et al., par. 12) This clearly defines what a space weapon consists is, unlike the Outer Space Treaty of 1967.
There have been numerous treaties proposed throughout the years, and so many of them have failed to pass because the components of what makes a space object a weapon has never been clearly defined. The PPWT prohibits placing weapons in space as well as initiating any threats to damage space objects or assets (“Treaty on the Prevention of,” par.
While, these arms control treaties are absolutely necessary in order to maintain the peaceful use of outer space, they are often seen as having too many holes in them. A new treaty is what the world needs in order to protect the scientific environment of outer space. A new treaty should combine the policies of the OST and the PPWT, while still potentially allowing the production of space weapons. The idea behind this treaty is to provide the countries adhering with a sense of security, which most treaties are lacking. At this point in time, the United States, China, Russia and other main space powers have
62 13). Russia and China are the countries deeply involved in working to bring this treaty together. There are three main superpowers leading the way in space technology and power, one of them is the United States and the other two are Russia and China.
One of the biggest problems with the PPWT is that it does not address the issue of grounded space weapons that are still capable of destroying space assets from the ground, such as anti satellites (Listner and Rajagopalan, par. 3). As discussed earlier, the 2007 anti satellites test by China is an example of a dangerous ground based space weapon. The PPWT also fails to mention the major issue of space debris cluttering the already congested outer space. The placement of weapons into space is a growing issue that needs to be addressed, but the amount of space debris present has already affected the growing population of space assets and spacecrafts (Listner and Rajagopalan, par. 4). If space debris keeps increasing, launching new satellites into orbit would be a major issue. Throughout the PPWT, it is acknowledged that no threat should be directed towards agreeing parties space objects, which theoretically leads to the idea of countries’ space weapons being able to target non agreeing party members’ space assets (Listner and Rajagopalan, par. 6).
The hope for this treaty is that it can still prevent the deployment of space weapons of all capabilities, while simultaneously allowing the creation of space weapons. This seems counter intuitive, but it makes the most sense because if one state was to deploy weapons into outer space, it would inevitably lead to a new arms race with a multitude of countries ready to respond. In a United Nations conference, first committee delegates spoke on the topic of disarmament and over 30 nations agreed on the idea that space should be kept as a scientific realm, free to all nations. For example, Egypt’s representative spoke on the fact that outer space should not be turned into another warzone, due to how fragile the environment of outer space truly is (“Raising Alarm Over Possible,” par. 2). Obviously, the goal and hope for this new treaty is that no country would ever feel the need to deploy space weapons, which potentially could lead to decreasing the production of weapons over time. This new treaty would increase the chance of all space powers coming to agreement with the same goal in mind, which would be to ultimately help prevent the deployment of weapons into space. The exigence regarding the need for a new treaty is strong. The OST has held up and kept the peace in space for as long as possible but is no longer suitable for today’s circumstances. The PPWT treaty was better suited, but the United States and other
63 already developed weapons over the past years. Realistically, allowing countries to still develop weapons but not deploy them of course, would potentially gain the interests of many countries that have been reluctant to agree upon past treaties. If countries could have space weapons ready in their arsenals, to be able to respond if another country was to deploy a space weapon first, the space powers are more likely to agree to a new treaty.
64 countries found too many holes within it. A treaty putting these two together while adding in some new additions would give the best shot at allowing space to stay as a peaceful realm of exploration. Considering the fact that outer space is such a fragile environment, it would be very difficult for it to uphold the damage brought upon by warfare. There is so much left to discover in outer space, and many would hate to see the current exploration of the galaxy diminish as the result of the weaponization of space.
The Space Review, 2014, www.thespacereview.com/article/2575/1.
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Larsen, Paul B, et all. “Outer Space Arms Control: Can the USA, Russia and China Make This Happen.” NexisUni, 1 Apr. 2018, advance com.ezproxy.scottsdalecc.edu/document/?pdmfid=1516831&crid=e067d0d1lexis bf6b 40fb 965c
Conrad, Walt, et al. “Arms Control in the Third Space Age: Assessing International Efforts to Regulate Military Operations in Outer Space in the ‘3 C’s’ Era.” Space & Defense, vol. 6, no. 1, Fall 2012, pp. 4 21. EBSCOhost, live.search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=93738887&site=ehost Garcia, Mark. “Space Debris and Human Spacecraft.” NASA, NASA, 14 Apr. 2015, Grimal,www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/news/orbital_debris.html.Francis,andJaeSundaram.“TheIncrementalMilitarizationofOuter Space: A Threshold Analysis.” Chinese Journal of International Law, vol. 17, no. 1, Mar. 2018, pp. 45– 72. EBSCOhost, doi:10.1093/chinesejil/jmy006.
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McInnis, Kathleen J., and Stephen M. McCall. “‘Space Force’ and Related DOD Proposals: Issues For Congress.” Congressional Research Service, Congressional Research Service , 8 Apr. 2019, crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IF/IF11172.
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“U.S. Space Force Fact Sheet.” United States Space Force, 2020, www.spaceforce.mil/About Us/FAQs/Whats the Space Force.
“Raising Alarm over Possible Space Wars, First Committee Delegates Explore Ways to Build New Order for Preventing Celestial Conflict, Confrontation | Meetings Coverage and Press Releases.” United Nations, United Nations, 24 Oct. 2018, “Treatywww.un.org/press/en/2018/gadis3609.doc.htm.onthePreventionofthePlacementofWeapons
67 Eli EnglishHallman102
[An Argument for Light Rail Expansion]
“All right, but apart from the sanitation, the medicine, education, wine, public order, irrigation, roads, a fresh water system, and public health, what have the Romans ever done for us?” (Monty Python). Many people love to decry the government as an entity that serves no useful purpose. Particularly in this time of partisanship, it is important to consider what the actual responsibility of the government is. At its core, a municipal government exists to provide basic services to its constituent residents. Services provided by the likes of firemen and police officers garner a great deal of public attention, as these people face challenges that are dangerous and interesting. More attention ought to be paid to other civil services, as these services are of immense impact to the community.
Light rail expansion is one service that has fallen by the wayside in the last decade. In order to consider a large infrastructure expansion such as light rail, it is necessary to consider the national political and economic climate. In an era of unprecedented political division, one of the few things Republicans and Democrats can agree on is the need for infrastructure overhaul. As the President said on Fox Business in March, “The easiest thing is infrastructure. They want it. I want it. I spoke to [House Speaker] Nancy Pelosi about it the other day. We agree on it” (Limitone). The infrastructure plan that was produced is substantially less than the one trillion dollar infrastructure package the President proposed during his 2016 campaign (Rappeport). In the end, some 200 million dollars were redistributed in the federal budget to be used as
68 matching funds for outside investment (Vock). This is a paltry sum when one considers the initial light rail line in Phoenix, Mesa, and Tempe cost just under one and-a-half billion dollars. This suggests that the federal government is an unlikely source for a municipal light railThereexpansion.issome wisdom in the President’s approach. In recent years, companies have seen the immense public relations value of funding public improvements. On November 4th, 2019, Apple pledged two and-a-half billion dollars to address the housing crisis in California. While this is an exorbitant amount of money for a personal bank account or even a massively over strapped federal budget, it is a drop in the bucket that is Apple’s yearly profits. Far from being motivated simply by the need for publicity, many of these companies seem earnestly interested in improving public life. As Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO said, “Apple is committed to being part of the solution” (Apple Newsroom). Companies such as Apple would make perfect investors in infrastructure such as light rail because they would be fulfilling their interests of addressing public need and would shed a positive light on them in the process. It is fair to say that light rail has fallen in popularity on the national scale. Light rail plans in North Carolina were cancelled after Duke University objected to the line’s proximity to the campus. In 2015, the City of Baltimore scrapped a 2.9 billion dollar light rail expansion called the Red Line, citing difficulties in funding. But while light rail lines may be falling out of fashion elsewhere, they continue to enjoy public favor in Phoenix. In August of 2019, Phoenix residents voted on Proposition 105, an amendment to the city charter that would have halted construction of light rail extensions and redirected the
69 funds to other transportation infrastructure projects. This proposition was overturned by a wide margin; 63 percent of the electorate voted against the proposal (Ballotpedia).
There are several reasons why valley residents support the idea of light rail expansion. The Phoenix area is the country’s fifth largest city by population, but it hasn’t always been so. In fact, Arizona was granted statehood four years after Henry Ford’s Model T began production in 1908. In its growth outward, the transportation infrastructure of Phoenix has been historically designed to benefit automobile usage first, second, and third. This, along with water scarcity, has earned Phoenix the title of “America’s least sustainable city” (Davis Young). With mounting and deserved national attention about the ecological and pollution related aspects of sustainability, many residents are in favor of a method of transportation that is environmentally friendly. They see the light rail as vastly preferable option to smog spouting cars.
There is a public health argument to be made, as well as an ecological one. Marlon Boarnet, chair of the urban planning department at the University of Southern California, found in a 2012 study of households in Los Angeles that access to a light rail line within walking distance led families to reduce driving by about ten miles a day (Boarnet). When this is multiplied by the thousands of households within walking distance to any point on the line, one can see a substantial drop in potential carbon emissions and smog. This reduction in pollution could very well have a positive impact on the health of urban residents. One could not claim that light rail is a total solution to improving air quality, but the effects of reduced traffic are one element into improving the city’s air quality overall.
70 This reduction in traffic also would ease strain on other transportation infrastructure in the Valley as a whole. Because residents would be driving less on public roads, those roads would naturally deteriorate less quickly. This leads to less frequent and less expensive maintenance. Many supporters of the Proposition 105 ballot initiative cited the need to repair public streets around the valley. This is entirely reasonable. One need not drive for very long in the valley before spotting obvious signs of wear on its roadways, particularly intra city freeways. However, light rail should be considered an investment towards the future of this infrastructure. Because car usage is so necessary in the Phoenix metropolitan area, it is unsurprising that these arteries of car transportation receive an extreme amount of wear and tear. By diversifying residents’ use of transportation, damage to any one part of the infrastructure is reduced and more easily managed. The impact on local business is a crucial element to consider in deciding to expand Tempe’s light rail line. Many detractors of light rail posit that the economic growth provided by light rail construction is restricted to areas in the immediate vicinity of the rail line. Tempe can use this to its advantage. For the last two decades, Tempe has been rapidly expanding its Mill Avenue district into a dense urban core. Because Tempe is effectively landlocked, its only opportunity for expansion is to improve the infrastructure it already possesses. While there would be reduced car traffic during the rail line’s installation, businesses of the Mill Avenue district have a large clientele base in the form of the student population at Arizona State University, many of whom simply walk to the area. For this reason, it is unlikely that local businesses would be substantially affected by increased street closure. Because the Mill Avenue district has relatively little street access
71 and parking for its density, local businesses would be well rewarded by the light rail’s ability to move hundreds of passengers an hour with minimal infrastructure disruption. Light rail makes a great deal of sense for residents of Tempe without regular access to a car, and the expansion of the light rail is in their interest because of this. Simply put, light rail is substantially cheaper for residents without cars than other transportation solutions. An all day light rail pass costs four dollars and can transport a user twenty-eight miles form one end to the other. By comparison, a twenty eight mile Uber ride costs about forty dollars, ten times that. If this is a commute for a five day workweek, the additional expense to this hypothetical rider is about ten thousand dollars a year. An efficient, expansive light rail system would allow riders to save substantial money instead of paying for taxi rides or car payments. As has been demonstrated, this is the proper economic climate to consider light rail expansion. Light rail is the sort of infrastructure project that many large corporations would be interested in investing into, providing a financial backing for light rail expansion in addition to municipal and state revenue. Valley residents have rebuffed the national tide of light rail’s unpopularity, with almost two thirds of Phoenix residents voting to expand light rail. Light rail provides ecological and health related benefits and would greatly reduce the wear and tear on existing city streets. Light rail would have little negative impact on local Tempe businesses during its construction and could facilitate a substantial increase in revenue to local businesses after the completion of the expansion. Light rail is also of immense value to the portion of the population that is without reliable access to a car. For these reasons, the City of Tempe should expand its existing light rail system.
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commits-two-point-five-billion-to-combat-housing-crisis-in-california/. Ballotpedia. “Phoenix, Arizona, Proposition 105, End Light Rail Expansion Initiative (August 2019).” Ballotpedia, 27 Aug. DavisBoarnet,n_Initiative_(August_2019)https://ballotpedia.org/Phoenix,_Arizona,_Proposition_105,_End_Light_Rail_Expansio2019,.MarlonG.“TheTransportationTransformationofOurCitiesWillBeMoreImportantThanDensityChanges.”Cityscaoe,USDepartmentofHousing,12Oct.2013,https://www.huduser.gov/portal/periodicals/cityscpe/vol15num3/ch11.pdf.Young,Katherine.“PhoenixTransitIsinJeopardy.”Proquest.com,TheWashingtonPost,25Aug.2019,https://search.proquest.com/arizonarepublic/docview/2279133101/DF03ECB2DF8D49FDPQ/9?accountid=227.Limitone,Julia.“Trump,NancyPelosi‘Agree’onRebuildingUSInfrastructure.”FoxBusiness,22Mar.2019,https://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/trumpand-nancypelosiagreeonrebuilding-u-s-infrastructure.MontyPython.Scene10:BeforetheRomansThingsWereSmelly.”LifeofBrianScript-Scene10:BeforetheRomansThingsWereSmelly,http://montypython.50webs.com/scripts/Life_of_Brian/10.htm.
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Cited Apple Newsroom. “Apple Commits $2.5 Billion to Combat Housing Crisis in California.” Apple Newsroom, 15 Nov. 2019, https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2019/11/apple
Rappeport, Alan. “Donald Trump Proposes to Double Hillary Clinton's Spending on Infrastructure.” The New York Times, 2 Aug. https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/03/us/politics/trump2016, clinton infrastructure.html.
Vock, Daniel C. “Trump Infrastructure Plan Wants to Stop ‘Overreliance’ on Federal Money.” Governing, Https://Www.governing.com/Topics/Transportation Infrastructure/Gov
Trump Infrastructure Plan Stop Overreliance Federal Money.html, 11 Feb. 2018.
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