Academy Award Nominee documentary film Trouble of the Water captured the day before the hurricane Katrina. An aspiring rap artist Kimberly Roberts turned her video camera to her neighborhood to record how other people reacted to the hurricane. While she was taping conversations with people around her neighborhood, she kept saying that she cannot afford to move and those poor people have nowhere to go. “Nowhere to go?” I started wonder where were local and federal government to help those people? Where were policemen to help people to evacuate? Where were hundreds school buses that supposed to transfer the city residents to outside of New Orleans? Although the city had long history of floods and hurricanes, there was no prepared reaction or evacuation plan for the hurricane. Unpreparedness was observed in both local (micro) and federal (macro) government level, which caused more human casualties.
Because natural disasters devastate the residential areas so quickly, evacuating potential victims on time is critical. That’s why local government immediate rescue plan is a significant matter. Although the city of New Orleans knew that many residents didn’t have car and couldn’t afford to move, the city didn’t react quickly to save them because simply they were unprepared. They could use school buses to transfer the city residents out of the city. Frontline -the storm showed that local government didn’t use hundreds school buses to evacuate people because they didn’t have bus operators. Where were operators (National Guard)? National Guard didn’t receive any request from the city. The TV program also emphasized that local law enforcements and firefighters didn’t prepare for emergency evacuation. Some people luckily made phone calls to 911 operators, but most of them didn’t get help because those who supposed to help the residents were busy to save themselves.
Federal government unpreparedness was much obvious. The purpose of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) was to coordinate local and federal government organizations to provide aids in places like New Orleans. In order to perform efficiently, they should have road maps for any kinds of natural disasters. However, what they did during the Katrina was nothing more than a bunch of unorganized group of people. Frontline showed how FEMA failed to perform their tasks. Former FEMA director, Michael Brown, didn’t know how many people needed shelters and how serious the situation was. Also, federal government sent national guards five days later which was too late to recue people. Trouble of the Water and Frontline both showed images of so many people lying on the ground after Katrina. However, there was no rescue worker or National Guard with them in the images. It took so long until FEMA effectively helped people.
Lack of interoperability between the residents and local or federal government was another problem in New Orleans. Frontline showed why interoperability was important to prevent human casualties. Places where hurricanes or earthquakes happen usually don’t have electricity and phone service. In other words, people don’t know where they have to go. According to trouble of the water, many residents didn’t know what exactly happened to the levee. They couldn’t call and they didn’t know where they had to go. Frontline said that the city had a chance to build the interoperability system couple of years earlier before the hurricane, but they used money for other purposes. What were more important than saving lives? Ridiculously, they had money for buying bulletproof vests for canines and air-conditioned garbage trucks. Sadly, they didn’t have money for building the system.
How do we prepare for our final exams? The answer is depending on how hard and how important the exams are. If we think that questions are harder and it is important to our GPA, we probably start studying couple of weeks earlier. We probably hire a tutor to get ready. Preparedness is the best way to prevent unlikely results. What about the case of the Katrina disasters? For a long time, many experts had predicted disasters like hurricane Katrina. People had enough time to reduce the hurricane casualties. Especially, local and federal governments were well aware of the consequence of hurricane-induced sea surges, waves, and rainfall in New Orleans (Bergal 4). However, they stubbornly ignored their responsibilities and they also failed to make efforts to prepare for the hurricane. We couldn’t stop the hurricane Katrina to come to New Orleans, but we could save many lives if our government prepared for it.
Friday, December 18, 2009
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Don't say it although I don't understand it.
If you travel to other countries, what words do you hear or learn first? It could be greetings or simple conversational words, like, “how much?” or “where is the bathroom?” But do you know what is next? I believe it is abusive language or swear words. It is not that you want to learn, but you want to know how people express themselves when they get upset. If someone is cursing at someone in other language that you don’t understand, you cannot just go him or her to ask where is the bathroom. Their response won’t make you feel happy. So it is important to know and speak abusive language when you travel other countries. You probably disagree. I know it sounds a little crazy, but this is based on my own experience.
Last summer, I traveled Europe for couple of weeks. I had had a wonderful time until I met a man in train in Prague. He tried to sell something to people on the train and I didn’t want to know what it was. I didn’t pay attention to him, but at one moment he stood right in front of me. He spoke something that I didn’t understand. I waved my hand to express “I don’t want to buy”. Then, he said something comically with strange gestures and suddenly people in the train laughed at me. How did I feel? Yeah, it was suck. I really wished that I could speak their abusive language and say, “shame on you guys”.
Sometimes I see people in movies say a lot of bad words, especially action or gangster movies. I thought it was cool to know how to swear well. Actually, once I asked an American friend to teach me how to swear. I still think it might be better if I know how to do it. What do you think? I don’t have to try? Is it necessary to know it?
Last summer, I traveled Europe for couple of weeks. I had had a wonderful time until I met a man in train in Prague. He tried to sell something to people on the train and I didn’t want to know what it was. I didn’t pay attention to him, but at one moment he stood right in front of me. He spoke something that I didn’t understand. I waved my hand to express “I don’t want to buy”. Then, he said something comically with strange gestures and suddenly people in the train laughed at me. How did I feel? Yeah, it was suck. I really wished that I could speak their abusive language and say, “shame on you guys”.
Sometimes I see people in movies say a lot of bad words, especially action or gangster movies. I thought it was cool to know how to swear well. Actually, once I asked an American friend to teach me how to swear. I still think it might be better if I know how to do it. What do you think? I don’t have to try? Is it necessary to know it?
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Do we have American Dreams?
When I was in S. Korea, I heard about American Dreams many times. It was all about successful and bright stories. Some of Korean immigrants accumulated a large amount of wealth and some became famous scholars, economists or musicians. I had a great yearning for American Dreams until I came to the USA. The reality was so different. Most of new comers had hard time to communicate with Native Americans. It is also hard to find jobs for them. Companies don’t want to hire F-1 status students (international students). Immigrants had to face and realize that American Dream is far away to achieve.
I am not saying that America is not a good country to live. It is still the best country that provides educational opportunities and safe environments to people. If I have a decent job, I definitely want to live here. But, let’s face the reality. Economy in the U.S. is getting worse and worse and competition in global market is tough. 20 years or 10 years later, it would be much worse. I think we have to redefine what American Dreams are. Maybe we should say, “there is no American dream at all”.
I am not saying that America is not a good country to live. It is still the best country that provides educational opportunities and safe environments to people. If I have a decent job, I definitely want to live here. But, let’s face the reality. Economy in the U.S. is getting worse and worse and competition in global market is tough. 20 years or 10 years later, it would be much worse. I think we have to redefine what American Dreams are. Maybe we should say, “there is no American dream at all”.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Assignment #2
People want to see and feel what they don’t usually experience. Maybe that’s the most reason why people travel around New Orleans. Unique characteristics in New Orleans have made it as a popular place to visit. It has a unique architectural style which shows historical backgrounds and multicultural heritage of the City, especially in French Quarter. It is also well known for Jazz, Carnival (Mardi Gras) and many music festivals. Its various historical backgrounds and geographic location difference compared with other regions in the U.S. are also considered as New Orleans distinctive characteristics. The major economic activities such as tourism-related works and cargo works are based on its attractive cultures and location. However, economic situation and segregated neighborhood in New Orleans are somehow very similar to other typical cities in the U.S.
New Orleans was found in 1718 by French, Jean-Baptiste Bienville and soon after it had a period of Spanish control. Later, it was under French rule again until the United States purchased Louisiana. During 1780s to 1810s, most of residents were whites: Catholics, Red necks, and white-Scotch Irises, but there was also small black population. At the beginning, most whites lived in French Quarter and black lived in Treme. The city grew with influxes of French, Creoles (Haitians), Americans, and Africans, which caused expansion of the city. One major difference of these immigrants was that there were free people of color among Haitian immigrants, which created a unique aspect compared with other regions in the U.S. Black population grew and eventually they formed a strong political power in mid 19th century. They voted and they published first black newspaper, L’Union. The newspaper demanded land and education opportunities for blacks. However, after the reconstruction, blacks lost their voting rights and their political voices. After the U.S. Supreme Court rule regarding Plessy v. Ferguson case, black history turned around and marched on opposite direction. Black became a powerless minority and isolated. Also, segregated housing policy early 1900s and desegregated public school policy mid 1900s accelerated housing segregation in New Orleans, which eventually caused a horrible consequence of Katrina disaster.
The people and cultures in the New Orleans have created different characteristics. First, different languages exist. Although American English is dominant, many people still speak French, Spanish depending on their origins. Second, music is one of the most distinctive cultures in New Orleans. The city is home to Jazz and many musicians. Since the end of 19th century when blacks lost their political power, Jazz represented their inner voices since they couldn’t speak out loud their opinions in public. Along with Jazz, Mardi Gras is another music related unique celebration, which is not observed in the U.S. Third, many antic or multicultural buildings and structures are still obsevable. In French Quarter, many buildings still have French and Spanish styles. Especially, French Quarter’s notorious nightlife is a world renowned place. People in New Orleans have tried to keep their cultural origins, which is the reason why they have this uniqueness.
New Orleans’ location is well known for ‘horrible site, but a perfect situation’. Until late 19th century when people realized what the cause of fever or disease was, many New Orleans residents had suffered from various diseases such as malaria. It was also a place to have many floods and hurricanes. On the other hand, it was a perfect place to build a port as a transportation hub. Since Mississippi river provided connections between city to city, cheap transportation system developed. Huge accumulated sediment along Mississippi river was a good location to develop a port and build houses. Also, hurricanes and river floods were common, high location was considered a safer place. However, as population grew rapidly, people had to find other places to live because of limitation of the area. Development of water pump helped to drain water from Jefferson Parish that became a residential area. Whites moved to the newly developed suburban area in 1950s to 1980s: white flight (Lewis 125). Also, desegregated public school policy accelerated the white flight. Most of black population still remained in highly segregated Orleans Parish. Also, newly built urban highway (I-10) triggered more white flight (Lewis 98).
Orleans Parish after the white flight confronted many problems. It was more segregated, alienated, and violated. Since blacks couldn’t find decent jobs, their income level was low. There was lack of school funding and public services in the area. Also, crime rate were very high. Those aspects seemed was very similar with other segregated neighborhoods in the U.S.
New Orleans was found in 1718 by French, Jean-Baptiste Bienville and soon after it had a period of Spanish control. Later, it was under French rule again until the United States purchased Louisiana. During 1780s to 1810s, most of residents were whites: Catholics, Red necks, and white-Scotch Irises, but there was also small black population. At the beginning, most whites lived in French Quarter and black lived in Treme. The city grew with influxes of French, Creoles (Haitians), Americans, and Africans, which caused expansion of the city. One major difference of these immigrants was that there were free people of color among Haitian immigrants, which created a unique aspect compared with other regions in the U.S. Black population grew and eventually they formed a strong political power in mid 19th century. They voted and they published first black newspaper, L’Union. The newspaper demanded land and education opportunities for blacks. However, after the reconstruction, blacks lost their voting rights and their political voices. After the U.S. Supreme Court rule regarding Plessy v. Ferguson case, black history turned around and marched on opposite direction. Black became a powerless minority and isolated. Also, segregated housing policy early 1900s and desegregated public school policy mid 1900s accelerated housing segregation in New Orleans, which eventually caused a horrible consequence of Katrina disaster.
The people and cultures in the New Orleans have created different characteristics. First, different languages exist. Although American English is dominant, many people still speak French, Spanish depending on their origins. Second, music is one of the most distinctive cultures in New Orleans. The city is home to Jazz and many musicians. Since the end of 19th century when blacks lost their political power, Jazz represented their inner voices since they couldn’t speak out loud their opinions in public. Along with Jazz, Mardi Gras is another music related unique celebration, which is not observed in the U.S. Third, many antic or multicultural buildings and structures are still obsevable. In French Quarter, many buildings still have French and Spanish styles. Especially, French Quarter’s notorious nightlife is a world renowned place. People in New Orleans have tried to keep their cultural origins, which is the reason why they have this uniqueness.
New Orleans’ location is well known for ‘horrible site, but a perfect situation’. Until late 19th century when people realized what the cause of fever or disease was, many New Orleans residents had suffered from various diseases such as malaria. It was also a place to have many floods and hurricanes. On the other hand, it was a perfect place to build a port as a transportation hub. Since Mississippi river provided connections between city to city, cheap transportation system developed. Huge accumulated sediment along Mississippi river was a good location to develop a port and build houses. Also, hurricanes and river floods were common, high location was considered a safer place. However, as population grew rapidly, people had to find other places to live because of limitation of the area. Development of water pump helped to drain water from Jefferson Parish that became a residential area. Whites moved to the newly developed suburban area in 1950s to 1980s: white flight (Lewis 125). Also, desegregated public school policy accelerated the white flight. Most of black population still remained in highly segregated Orleans Parish. Also, newly built urban highway (I-10) triggered more white flight (Lewis 98).
Orleans Parish after the white flight confronted many problems. It was more segregated, alienated, and violated. Since blacks couldn’t find decent jobs, their income level was low. There was lack of school funding and public services in the area. Also, crime rate were very high. Those aspects seemed was very similar with other segregated neighborhoods in the U.S.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
We need to change, but not this one.
Couple of days ago, president Barrack Obama announced that his administration will change the US education system. He wants more school hours and less vacation periods. He believes that current levels of US students in math and science is very low compared with other countries like Japan, Korea, or Germany. I agree with his opinion. We have to change our education system, but what I am worried about his education policy that is likely similar to Korean education system. Since he already mentioned several times about Korean education policy and Korean parents’ passion to teach their children, I assume what he wants to do is following a standard model like Korean’s.
To be honest with you, I think that is a terrible idea. When I was in high school in Korea, I woke up at 6 am and I got to school around 7 am. I had 8 regular, 2 extra classes and 3 intensive self study hours. I usually stayed until 10 pm and it was 11 pm when I got home. I didn’t have time to meet my friends and I didn’t have time to read nobles. Most of all, my school life was so stressful. Sometimes, I couldn’t concentrate on classes because I was so tired to focus. I wasn’t only one who suffered, all high school students in Korean had to suffer. Now, I don’t have many recollections regarding to my high school years. Only what I remember is tests and a lot of homework.
Because of those difficult times, now I am pretty good at math and science. However, I am not sure whether I am a creative person. I am good at memorizing and solving problems, but writing? Writing requires a lot of thinking and creativity, but I am really terrible about it. What I find from American education system is that students actually learn creativity from their classes. My point of view towards US students is that as time goes by, American students are better than Asian students. Just what they need is some time to learn basic concepts.
What I am saying is that moderate change in the US education system like more class hours is a good idea, but not following others’ systems. We cannot sacrifice our creativity for higher math scores.
To be honest with you, I think that is a terrible idea. When I was in high school in Korea, I woke up at 6 am and I got to school around 7 am. I had 8 regular, 2 extra classes and 3 intensive self study hours. I usually stayed until 10 pm and it was 11 pm when I got home. I didn’t have time to meet my friends and I didn’t have time to read nobles. Most of all, my school life was so stressful. Sometimes, I couldn’t concentrate on classes because I was so tired to focus. I wasn’t only one who suffered, all high school students in Korean had to suffer. Now, I don’t have many recollections regarding to my high school years. Only what I remember is tests and a lot of homework.
Because of those difficult times, now I am pretty good at math and science. However, I am not sure whether I am a creative person. I am good at memorizing and solving problems, but writing? Writing requires a lot of thinking and creativity, but I am really terrible about it. What I find from American education system is that students actually learn creativity from their classes. My point of view towards US students is that as time goes by, American students are better than Asian students. Just what they need is some time to learn basic concepts.
What I am saying is that moderate change in the US education system like more class hours is a good idea, but not following others’ systems. We cannot sacrifice our creativity for higher math scores.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Cultural Outliers (?)
This morning I got a phone call from my father, which was very weird because he usually doesn’t call me unless it is an emergency. He suddenly asked me “when are you going to get married?” My answer was simple “soon”. I felt his anxiety. He wants me get married as soon as possible. The problem is that I haven’t thought about marriage before. I called my sister who is married and I told her what my father said to me. She said that he actually tried to buy a house for me in case I get married soon. I was shocked.
My father believes that there are time periods for everybody, especially for me.
Age 5-20: Studying
Age 20-26: military service & university
Age 27-30: first job & first(?) marriage
Age 31-65: work hard & raise children
Age 61- : I don’t know yet his mind
I don’t think this perception is much different from other Koreans’. I wonder how people think about me if I don’t follow this rule. Maybe, I will be a cultural outlier(?) who doesn’t do what he or she supposes to do. Since I don’t want to be any kinds of outlier I probably follow the time schedule. Is it funny? Now we are free to do anything, but at the same time we are afraid to do it.
My father believes that there are time periods for everybody, especially for me.
Age 5-20: Studying
Age 20-26: military service & university
Age 27-30: first job & first(?) marriage
Age 31-65: work hard & raise children
Age 61- : I don’t know yet his mind
I don’t think this perception is much different from other Koreans’. I wonder how people think about me if I don’t follow this rule. Maybe, I will be a cultural outlier(?) who doesn’t do what he or she supposes to do. Since I don’t want to be any kinds of outlier I probably follow the time schedule. Is it funny? Now we are free to do anything, but at the same time we are afraid to do it.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Can you speak English?
Ok, here’s a fact. I don’t speak English fluently. To be honest with you, I still have a hard time to pronounce ‘r’ and ‘th’. Of course my English is much better now compared to five years ago. But I still feel like it is not enough especially when I cannot make friends easily because of a language barrier. It is so sad because I used to make friends very easily and I was very sociable in Korea. Now, I am losing confident. I wonder how other Native Americans perceive me as a foreigner.
When I was in Korea, I saw some foreigners on the streets. Of course, I hadn’t tried to speak with them because I didn’t have a chance to get to know them. And also I didn’t want to talk to someone who couldn’t communicate with me. I also laughed at them when TV show host interviewed foreigners in Korean. It was funny to hear strange Korean pronunciations. I didn’t really care about how they felt when people laughed at them. Now, I know their feelings.
But, do we have to speak fluently to make friends or communicate with others? I believe the answer is “no”. We don’t judge our friends based on their communication skills. We judge them based on their characteristics. Maybe it is not my English, but lack of social skill makes me hard to make friends.
When I was in Korea, I saw some foreigners on the streets. Of course, I hadn’t tried to speak with them because I didn’t have a chance to get to know them. And also I didn’t want to talk to someone who couldn’t communicate with me. I also laughed at them when TV show host interviewed foreigners in Korean. It was funny to hear strange Korean pronunciations. I didn’t really care about how they felt when people laughed at them. Now, I know their feelings.
But, do we have to speak fluently to make friends or communicate with others? I believe the answer is “no”. We don’t judge our friends based on their communication skills. We judge them based on their characteristics. Maybe it is not my English, but lack of social skill makes me hard to make friends.
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