Dance

         

          In the years 1984-1990, protests happened in demonstration against the Chinese government. In 1989, the Communist Party leader Hu Yaobang was killed and this started the commotion. China had been under, and are still living with, communist rule since the very beginnings of their nation. The Chinese people were fighting for the freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of press, or any other basic freedoms. This protest lasted about 7 weeks until it was violently shut down by the government. Civilians were killed, injured, and the city was in shambles. China is still witnessing the repercussions of these incidents today.

          Despite the hardships the people live with each day, this picture represents their hope of a better day. In Migrations, Salgado states that, "change is in the air and the mode is upbeat." In this picture, they have brought out a radio and are dancing in celebration of hope and a new faith of a brighter future. This picture really hit home with me because I know of the joy that dance can bring. I am a dancer and a lover of expressing yourself through movement. Sometimes after all the hardships that life can throw at you, all you want to do is dance. I also love this picture because it makes me think about all that I am thankful for. Thanksgiving is just around the corner and in preparation I have been thinking a lot lately about what I am thankful for. I am thankful to live in a nation where we have the freedom of speech, religion, and press. While our government, or nation, is not perfect, it is a government "of the people, by the people, and for the people." We are truly blessed.

Salgado, Sebastiao. Photograph. "Migrations: Humanity in Transition." Aperture. New York, 2000. 
170.

          

Refugees in Nepal

For this weeks blogpost, rather than posting about a photograph from Salgado's book Migrations, we have been assigned to address our Persuasive Research Paper to our blog audience. In my writing course, we do a lot with volunteer work/activism regarding refugees from all different countries. For our Persuasive Research Paper, we have been assigned to choose one refugee system from anywhere around the world, research it, and find a way to get involved. For my research paper, I have decided to address the issue of resettlement of Bhutanese refugees. These refugees have fled to Nepal and have been placed in one of seven resettlement camps. However, these camps are poorly kept, and the Bhutanese refugees are now stuck. The Bhutanese government will not allow them back into the country because they speak Nepalese. However, the Nepalese government will not allow them to become citizens of Nepal. Therefor, they can't become socially involved, politically active, or gain an education. Luckily, a few countries (including America and Canada) have opened their doors to these refugees. These refugees then wait to be resettled in one of these countries. However, the process of coming to a brand new country is not easy, and that is where my solution comes in to play. In my paper, I will propose that we get involved in refugee centers to help these refugees. We are so lucky to have been born in America, experience amazing opportunities on a day-to-day basis, and to live in a society where we can gain an education. However, we owe it to people that are not as blessed as us to do our part to make a difference. I am excited to write this paper and hope you will give me feedback as I work on this process. Stay tuned for more information regarding this exciting assignment!