Some Japanese Workers Have No Other Choice

Article: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/09/world/asia/09japan.html?_r=1&hp

It’s sad to know that Japan is still affected and will be for many years to come from the devastating March 11 earthquake and tsunami.  As a result of the disaster and the poor economy, many workers have no choice but to work at the damaged Fukushima Daiichi power plant.  Work at the plant is dangerous and demanding, and workers are often underpaid.  Most of the workers, especially those with more dangerous and taxing jobs, are in informal contract labor.  The bulky suits they must wear must be put on at a staging area about an hour away, and conditions inside the suits are hot and sweaty.  There are high radiation risks, and even at times higher than the government limit.  The average workers are estimated to be paid only under $30,000 a year, in contrast to the $94,000 a year made by the average Tokyo Electric employee.

It’s terrible that conditions are so bad that many workers have no other job choices than this to work in.  Many had to travel far to work in this plant.  Some even had their houses destroyed in the tsunami.  It is unfair that they are in such horrible conditions.  Many employees are poorly trained, and very little monitoring of radiation exposure has been done since the catastrophe.  These poor conditions can possibly lead to health risks, including cancer later in their lives and death due to an accident in the facility.  Many of the older workers say it’s too late in their lives to expect to have another type of job after their current job.  They are stuck with their current job as their only way to make money.

Work should be done to further educate the employees, give them more pay, and make working conditions safer for them - including minimizing and keeping track of radiation exposure.

Is "Kaffir Boy" Worth Reading?

Kaffir Boy is in many ways a great piece of literature.  An autobiography by Mark Marthabane, it effectively shows the harsh realities of growing up as a “Kaffir boy” subjected to a life of misery due to the sinister laws known as apartheid in South Africa.  What makes this novel so effective, aside from the vivid, descriptive text and authentic storytelling, is that Mathabane is able to capture and keep the reader’s interest throughout the novel.  He makes it exciting to read and hard to put down.  By keeping the story interesting and faithful, he is able to deliver to the readers a lucid painting of the cold truths of what really happened to the blacks under apartheid.

Many of today’s American youth have never even heard of apartheid.  This story is a great way to educate them about it.  Being a true story, it paints an accurate depiction of the ghettos black lived in while the whites lived in luxury.  It shows in much detail the violent acts of murder performed by the tsotsis, as well as the vile child prostitution.  Also seen are the merciless police raids and the government crackdowns on innocent protesters.  Mathabane, unique for his vast success at school and playing tennis, comes to learn that although there are many cruel white people treating black people below that of slaves, there are also white people who were friendly and were against apartheid and segregation laws.  He befriends several white people, who help him to become a better, more educated person headed for success and likely to make a difference.  Famous tennis players even choose to sponsor him, and despite his failures, he manages to keep going.  He joins the rebellion against apartheid, along with many other black people.  Mathabane’s story is one that is inspirational, informative, and entertaining all together at once.  One should without a doubt read it.

Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism

I found it interesting to learn about Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism in history class.  Confucianism involves the belief in the importance of an educated, proper, and orderly society.  Taoism involves the belief in the importance of a natural, balanced society.  Lastly, Buddhism involves the belief in the importance of following the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path.

Overall, I think Buddhism sounds too difficult for me.  Closely following the Eightfold Path in order to end desire would be too difficult.  To me, the ideal philosophy would be a balanced mix between Confucianism and Taoism.  I like the idea, with Confucianism, of an educated society.  It is important for people to be knowledgeable of the world around them.  It is also good with the idea of respecting relationships.  The young must respect their elders, and vice versa.  Rules and order are also good to have in a society, because it prevents people from attacking or taking away from other people.  However, I also like the ideas of Taoism.  It involves everything in the world being in balance.  Accepting the harmony of the natural world is an important part of Taoism.  Taoism is more about “going with the flow,” following the nature of events as they come.

Confucianism and Taoism are often thought of to be opposites, just like the Yin Yang.  Confucianism is more proper and orderly, while Taioism is more relaxed and in balance with nature.  I think the ideal belief would be a mix of the two.  It would include having an orderly society, but still in harmony with nature.  It would be proper and educated, yet at the same time relaxed and “going with the flow.”  It would also respect the Five Basic Relationships.  The idea of a mix between the two beliefs would also go well with the idea of Yin Yang.

Is More Security Needed For Standardized Testing?

http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2011-04-07-dcschools07_ST_N.htm

In the Washington, D.C. public school system, school board officials are concerned with the possibility that a security seal on text booklets might not be protective enough against tampering with the answer sheets.  However, I think that security on standardized testing is a little too protective.  It is good that they make attempts to prevent cheating with security measures, but sometimes they go a little overboard.  For example, tearing the wrong seal could result in an invalidation of one’s test as well as disciplinary actions.  What if someone did it by accident?  Most people who would happen to tear the seal likely would not be doing it for the intent of cheating, but rather by mistake.  The tests can be somewhat nerve-wracking due to the intense security.  I tend to worry more about accidentally doing something wrong security-wise rather than the content of the tests themselves.

In this case of this story, however, adding an additional seal that can only be broken by the student during testing probably would not be too bad.  It should reduce the amount of tampering, so in that case, it would likely be beneficial.  Reducing the amount of tampering would be more fair for everyone and would also improve the accuracy of statistics.  However, the security should also be altered in that consequences would not be as harsh for people who simply breached the security on accident.  Doing something such as breaking the wrong seal is not too difficult to do, and one should not be strictly disciplined for doing something they did not mean to do.  The ideal changes that could possibly happen would be the addition of additional security measures paired with the reduction of consequences for those who breach security by mistake, allowing the innocent to be able to take tests with less worries.   Hopefully, however, the rate of cheating or tampering will decrease over time, and standardized tests would become more fair for all.

Human Rights

Today in class, we watched a video involving human rights.  There are many countries around the world where people have limited or no rights.  I believe that that is unjust.  Every human being in this world deserves to have rights.  For example, everybody deserves to have freedom.  Everyone should each be able to do what they want in their life.  If they want to become a salesperson, they should be able to.  If they want to become a mechanic, they should be able to as well.  It is unjust for governments or other authorities to force people to be something they do not want to be.

Another right that everyone deserves is the right to a free education.  There are countries where not everybody has an equal opportunity for education.  For example, in some countries, women are not given the chance to be educated.  Without an education, a government can just rule over people, and the people would not be knowledgeable enough to know that it was unfair and unjust.  An education also helps people throughout their life.  They become more knowledgable about the world around them, and thus can make better decisions for themselves and their community.  Education is an important part of everyone’s life.

Everybody also deserves the right to freedom of expression.  People should be able to be who they want to be.  They should also be able to share their thoughts and beliefs without fear of being penalized.  If they are unhappy with their government, they should be able to express their beliefs and protest the government.  They should also be able to practice whatever religion they follow.  Freedom of expression allows for a better, more equal society.

There are certain rights that everyone in this world should have, but yet many people are left without.  We, in the United States, are very fortunate to have these rights, and we must hope that the countries that do not have these rights get them as well.

Culturefest: Great Fun

Honestly, before leaving for the Culturefest, I did not really want to go much.  The main reason I went was because I just recently joined the Freshman-Sophomore Council, and we were expected to go.  It ended up being much better than I expected.  I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.  I arrived about a half hour early, before many people were there.  I did not know what to do.  Fortunately for me, me being very clueless as to what exactly was going on, both the Freshman-Sophomore Council’s table and my Spanish teacher’s table were right next to each other in the cafeteria, and right near the cafeteria entrance.  People slowly arrived at the event.  Eventually, around 6:15, the majority of the people had arrived.  I was able to find friends and afterwords, everything was more exciting.  There was food everywhere, activities everywhere, and so many different countries and cultures everywhere.  Unfortunately, I am an extremely picky and limited eater, so I did not try much, not to mention I ate dinner not long before leaving for the Culturefest.  One activity some friends and I wanted to try was fencing, but the wait was too long.  Another event that was there was mixed martial arts.  I had gone to that martial arts center two separate years and quit both times, once around first grade and another around fifth grade, and I knew one of the instructors who was there.  I got to visit all areas of the event and see many interesting cultures.  One thing I would redo, however, is not eaten a large dinner before going to the Culturefest, because I did not get to eat many foods that I would have eaten had I not been full from my meal.  The pasta in the Italy section looked really good.  Overall, I would definitely recommend going to Culturefest next year, and I plan on going as well (if there is one again next year).

Terrible Tragedy in Japan

http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_thelookout/20110316/ts_yblog_thelookout/japans-nuclear-crisis-where-things-stand

It is terrible what has happened to Japan.  First they get one of the worst earthquakes in their history, along with strong aftershocks.  Then they get slammed by a powerful tsunami that sweeps through towns and cities.  They estimate the death toll can be over 10,000.  Now, they have to worry about nuclear radiation.  Six reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant were compromised as a result of the disaster, which in turn caused a failure of the cooling systems.  There have been explosions and releases of poisonous gases at the plant.  The approximate 140,000 people that live within an 18-mile radius of the plant were told to stay indoors by the government.  Some experts criticized the Japanese government for underestimating the severity of the crisis, and the Americans within 50 miles of the plant were recommended by the U.S. embassy to stay indoors or evacuate the area.  It I were anywhere near the plant, I would frightened.  I would evacuate the area if possible.  I would not want to risk getting poisoned by the noxious gases.  We must hope that the situation will get better.  Fortunately, it is easy for one to help.  By texting a certain number, one can donate $10 to relief efforts.  Artists and celebrities are also selling items whose proceeds will go towards relief efforts, and are urging fans to donate to the cause.

What I find odd is that every year, there seems to be at least one major disaster somewhere around the world that requires the help and attention of many.  Last year, there was the Haitian earthquake and the Gulf oil spill.  In past years, there was Hurricane Katrina and the Indian Ocean tsunami.  Hopefully, the pattern will not continue and there will be nothing big next year, especially with the 2012 prophecy that has many worried.