why we should help syrian refugees
written by anonymous
1-7-16
The topic presented today is the question on whether Syrian refugees should be admitted into the United States or not. I believe that Syrian refugees should be admitted into the United States.
You might ask if there a chance that these Syrian refugees could possibly be islamic terrorists attempting to make there way here? Which is a valid question considering the recent terrorist attack in Paris, but if you really think about it people who travel hundreds of miles on foot or crowd into rafts for ocean voyages typically have more pressing issues than terrorism. They do it to escape violence and extremism, not to spread it. If the goal is to combat extremism, taking in asylees is a better strategy than letting them stay in miserable camps. If you really think about it there is no better way to create a young terrorist than by leaving them to live in an under-resourced refugee camp.
Let’s flip the script for a bit, what if you were being forced from your home and doomed to live in under-resourced camp due extreme violence. And what if there were countries who had everything you would need and could make your life all better again, but what if these countries didn’t want to take you in because they believed there would be a chance that you were part of a domestic terrorist group, such as the KKK. But that probably wouldn't happen because we’re american right. So if we don’t believe that the possibility of a white or christian American being in the KKK should be brought up in a situation like this then why do people try to bring up the possibility of a syrian refugee being an islamic terrorist just based solely off their religion and ethnicity.
Another topic one may bring up is the effect on the economy. Many people have the incorrect assumption that syrian refugees have some sort of negative impact on our economy, however a growing pool of research suggests refugees aren't necessarily the economic leeches they're often made out to be. In Cleveland, for example, local refugee services agencies spent about $4.8 million in 2012 as they helped refugees get established in the area, according to a study conducted by Chmura Economics & Analytics. But the economic impact those refugees had on the community weighed in at about $48 million, roughly 10 times the initial resettlement costs. “Refugees are more likely to be entrepreneurial and enjoy higher rates of successful business ventures compared to natives," the report said. "At the local level, refugees provide increased demand for goods and services through their new purchasing power and can be particularly revitalizing in communities that otherwise have a declining population.". Also worth noting: Research has shown annual earnings growth among refugees living in the U.S. has outpaced pay increases among economic immigrants, or individuals who haven't been displaced by disaster, persecution or violence. There's an incredible amount of talent, and wisdom and accrued experience, These are people who are capable of thriving and being full-fledged members of whatever society they live in. In fact The Australian Bureau of Statistics released a study showing "humanitarian migrants," were more likely to start businesses than other kinds of migrants.
Another subject one might bring up is the screening process and if it is actually thorough enough. To be admitted into the United States a refugee must first be referred to the U.S.,Then every refugee goes through an intensive vetting process, but the precautions are increased for Syrians. Multiple law enforcement, intelligence and security agencies perform the most rigorous screening of any traveler to the U.S. Among the agencies involved are the State Department, the FBI’s Terrorist Screening Center, the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security. A DHS officer conducts in-person interviews with every applicant. Biometric information such as fingerprints are collected and matched against criminal databases. Biographical information such as past visa applications are scrutinized to ensure the applicant’s story coheres. As stated Refugees are subject to the highest level of security checks of any traveler category to the United States. So for ISIS to take advantage of the refugee program makes no operational sense, Given how easy it is to send a European extremist to the U.S. via Europe, why would an ISIS guy in Syria wait the three years it takes to get refugee status?
So overall The U.S. has a lot of experience with refugees and There is nothing about the Syrians that should deter us from admitting them in far greater numbers than we have so far. Besides, like it or not, we kind of owe them and though there are no real winners when millions of civilians are displaced from their homes, it may ultimately benefit the U.S. to take in more refugees.
You might ask if there a chance that these Syrian refugees could possibly be islamic terrorists attempting to make there way here? Which is a valid question considering the recent terrorist attack in Paris, but if you really think about it people who travel hundreds of miles on foot or crowd into rafts for ocean voyages typically have more pressing issues than terrorism. They do it to escape violence and extremism, not to spread it. If the goal is to combat extremism, taking in asylees is a better strategy than letting them stay in miserable camps. If you really think about it there is no better way to create a young terrorist than by leaving them to live in an under-resourced refugee camp.
Let’s flip the script for a bit, what if you were being forced from your home and doomed to live in under-resourced camp due extreme violence. And what if there were countries who had everything you would need and could make your life all better again, but what if these countries didn’t want to take you in because they believed there would be a chance that you were part of a domestic terrorist group, such as the KKK. But that probably wouldn't happen because we’re american right. So if we don’t believe that the possibility of a white or christian American being in the KKK should be brought up in a situation like this then why do people try to bring up the possibility of a syrian refugee being an islamic terrorist just based solely off their religion and ethnicity.
Another topic one may bring up is the effect on the economy. Many people have the incorrect assumption that syrian refugees have some sort of negative impact on our economy, however a growing pool of research suggests refugees aren't necessarily the economic leeches they're often made out to be. In Cleveland, for example, local refugee services agencies spent about $4.8 million in 2012 as they helped refugees get established in the area, according to a study conducted by Chmura Economics & Analytics. But the economic impact those refugees had on the community weighed in at about $48 million, roughly 10 times the initial resettlement costs. “Refugees are more likely to be entrepreneurial and enjoy higher rates of successful business ventures compared to natives," the report said. "At the local level, refugees provide increased demand for goods and services through their new purchasing power and can be particularly revitalizing in communities that otherwise have a declining population.". Also worth noting: Research has shown annual earnings growth among refugees living in the U.S. has outpaced pay increases among economic immigrants, or individuals who haven't been displaced by disaster, persecution or violence. There's an incredible amount of talent, and wisdom and accrued experience, These are people who are capable of thriving and being full-fledged members of whatever society they live in. In fact The Australian Bureau of Statistics released a study showing "humanitarian migrants," were more likely to start businesses than other kinds of migrants.
Another subject one might bring up is the screening process and if it is actually thorough enough. To be admitted into the United States a refugee must first be referred to the U.S.,Then every refugee goes through an intensive vetting process, but the precautions are increased for Syrians. Multiple law enforcement, intelligence and security agencies perform the most rigorous screening of any traveler to the U.S. Among the agencies involved are the State Department, the FBI’s Terrorist Screening Center, the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security. A DHS officer conducts in-person interviews with every applicant. Biometric information such as fingerprints are collected and matched against criminal databases. Biographical information such as past visa applications are scrutinized to ensure the applicant’s story coheres. As stated Refugees are subject to the highest level of security checks of any traveler category to the United States. So for ISIS to take advantage of the refugee program makes no operational sense, Given how easy it is to send a European extremist to the U.S. via Europe, why would an ISIS guy in Syria wait the three years it takes to get refugee status?
So overall The U.S. has a lot of experience with refugees and There is nothing about the Syrians that should deter us from admitting them in far greater numbers than we have so far. Besides, like it or not, we kind of owe them and though there are no real winners when millions of civilians are displaced from their homes, it may ultimately benefit the U.S. to take in more refugees.
The earth is a peculiar place
a poem by riley machado
1-7-16
The world is a very peculiar place. Typical families fill up every inch of land, thousands of puzzle pieces to the Earth. They plunder her natural resources, divide her body up into warring countries, and cut down her vivid green forests of hair. It has been this way since the beginning of time; or has it? Did no one ask the Earth herself if we could borrow her welcoming body? She responds to our cruelty to her by distributing rumbling earthquakes, powerful tsunamis, and disastrous volcano eruptions that end the lifes of many of these typical families. We then look at the Earth, screaming at her, blaming her for these people's deaths. She is a victim like many wrongly accused murderers awaiting trial in corrupt courts. As we lay in our warm beds, inside echoing houses that sit on land that used to belong to the Earth, we banter about endless amounts of tiny and insufficient things. We feel the need to complain when the Earth has always tried to, but yet no one ever listened to her. Our families listen to us, and also our accquaintances; but who does the Earth have to complain to? There is the Stars, twinkling freckles lining the night sky when the Moon comes to visit. The Moon proposed to the Earth many years ago; but the Moon fell in love with the Sun and the Earth was left alone, alone and sad. The Earth began to cry and the Moon has controlled the Earth's tides ever since. Yet the Moon and the Sun are stuck in a world just as tragic as the one in the tale of Romeo and Juliet. When one comes up, one comes down. They may never see each other, yet they are hopelessly in love. The Earth has no lover, and as she supplies her body with oxygen from her forests, no human chooses to love her for keeping their spirits alive. She serves as our home, as our supply for oxygen, but us humans continue to take too much from the Earth. Some human living on the Earth needs to stand up for her, and give her someone to complain to. Maybe then will she stop throwing fits of not so natural disasters.
The Earth is a beautiful place, but one day our cruel treatment could take its toll. We send black muffler gas into the air without respect for our Earth, we throw plastic into the ocean not caring that it could kill another creature that the Earth gave life to. I gave the Earth a human element in this poem because I feel that most people don't look at the Earth as "living". We take her for granted every single day. I want people to start treating the Earth with respect, after the countless gifts she gives us, including our lives. An excuse I often hear is "I'm just one person. I can't stop pollution." Or another one: "It's just ONE soda can I threw out into the street, no big deal." We need to take care of the Earth as if we each are the only individuals who can cure her. Then and only then can she flourish. The Earth is our home, and she's our only home. And all living things are a family, a community. Let's work together and make sure the Earth stays beautiful.
The Earth is a beautiful place, but one day our cruel treatment could take its toll. We send black muffler gas into the air without respect for our Earth, we throw plastic into the ocean not caring that it could kill another creature that the Earth gave life to. I gave the Earth a human element in this poem because I feel that most people don't look at the Earth as "living". We take her for granted every single day. I want people to start treating the Earth with respect, after the countless gifts she gives us, including our lives. An excuse I often hear is "I'm just one person. I can't stop pollution." Or another one: "It's just ONE soda can I threw out into the street, no big deal." We need to take care of the Earth as if we each are the only individuals who can cure her. Then and only then can she flourish. The Earth is our home, and she's our only home. And all living things are a family, a community. Let's work together and make sure the Earth stays beautiful.
A SOCIOLOGICAL approach to sexism and gender roles in video games
written by sam catalano
1-7-16
In an industry that aims itself towards young men and boys, game developers tend to make assumptions based on what they believe their audience would like: girls. Whether it be saving them from dungeons and castles or having them cater to the assumed interests of the male players, women are often unfairly portrayed in video games. Female characters’ duties are to serve the protagonist, to be rescued, and to be objectified. Even games that do have either mandatory or optional female playable characters often include tight, revealing clothing, and ridiculous stereotypes. Games like Grand Theft Auto, Mortal Kombat, Lollipop Chainsaw, and Bayonetta all objectify women while also enticing male players with the promise of violence; classic games such as the Mario Bros. series and the Legend of Zelda can also be considered sexist due to the fact that the female leads are always being abducted by villains and rescued by the male protagonist which makes them seem weak and helpless. Even looking at the box art of some games, one can see the blatant sexism that is presented in the game.
However, video games can also damage the way young men see themselves. These games teach that they need to be the brave, manly man that always needs to rescue the princess, or the barbarian that solves all of their problems with their fists. These are very harmful gender roles as well. Seeing that he can’t be like the characters he is used to pretending to be, the boy’s self-esteem is lowered and he begins to see himself as weak and inadequate. He can’t save the princess or beat bad guys with his bare hands.
It is important to recognize the effects of these sexist themes in popular video games to help combat and prevent the unrealistic standards that they can create. Since the main demographic of the video game industry is boys and young men, the earlier they are exposed to these ideas, the easier these ideas are to be ingrained in their minds. Looking at the video game collections of men aged sixteen through twenty-one, one can see that many of the popular games that they own include themes that unfairly portray women and generate images of men that they seek to emulate.
According to functionalist theories this issue is dysfunctional, causing an imbalance in gender role perception. By neglecting to eradicate gender roles, the video game industry creates more work for parents, educators, and other members of society by having them retract the idea of gender stereotypes from their young minds. Dysfunctions such as this one correlate directly with social instability. This school of sociological thought describes manifest and latent functions, as identified by Robert Merton, both of which have obvious examples in the concept of gender roles. The manifest function of gender roles and stereotypes in video games, the intended purpose, is to sell products by drawing the attention of an audience by advertising overly exaggerated images and themes that would entice possible buyers. However the latent functions are much more harmful. One lasting influence is the perpetuation of such stereotypes. Latent functions are often the unintended effects of the manifest function and the action itself. Preserving these false images is a major contributor to the way players see gender. It is a realized fact that the “most common ways of stereotyping in video games are ‘damsels in distress’ and sexual objectification” (Kondrat, 2015). Another latent function is the feeling of inadequacy brought on by the need to conform to an unattainable standard. A functionalist might use Durkheim’s term “anomie” to describe the sense of meagerness and insignificance that this social issue can cause. Anomie is defined by Ferris and Stein as “a sense of disconnection brought about by the changing conditions of modern life” (2014, p.22).
From a conflict theorist’s perspective, gender roles in video games can be seen as a social inequality caused ideology of stereotypes that are transmitted and even magnified by video game creators. Conflict theorists believe that social conflict brings revolutionary change. Social change is not possible through false consciousness. Marx, the philosopher whose ideas laid the groundwork for conflict theory, describes false consciousness as the denial of reality that allows inequalities to continue. Although this concept was originally designated for class inequities, the idea can be translated to other issues such as this one about gender roles. According to conflict theory, class consciousness (or revolutionary consciousness) allows the acknowledgement of social disparities by the oppressed groups, creating an opposition against the oppressive institution. As stated in the textbook, “This can only happen when people recognize how society works and challenge those in power. [Marx] believed that social change would occur when there was enough tension and conflict” (Ferris & Stein 2014, p.26). Following the rules of revolutionary consciousness, men and women affected by gender roles in video games can recognize that this industry is contributing to harmful stereotypes and oppression and they can help lead the efforts to discontinue these false ideologies. As a faction of conflict theory, feminist theory specifically acknowledges gender inequality as an aspect of society that constitutes the way we live. Feminism is an idea that promotes equality among the sexes. The feminism movement sparked male liberationism in the 1970’s, which then evolved into the pro-feminist men’s movement (Ferris & Stein 2014, p. 263-64). Both of these movements support the belief that men are harmed by gender roles as well, such as the ones presented in many video games.
George Herbert Mead and other interactionists would see this issue of stereotypes as a social construct. Interactionist theory suggests that everything we have constructed and given meaning to in society is done through interaction. This school of thought allows us to understand how society is constructed. According to these beliefs, gender roles and norms are simply social constructs created through interaction. This theory can be related to this topic by stating that the stereotypes presented are communicated through various channels, thus given meaning to. Erving Goffman states that our “self” is molded by society by interaction and communication. This suggests that these gender norms can leave impressions on the viewers, causing them to adjust to them. These expectations compel the audience (in this case the players) to want to adapt to them because that’s what they believe to be normal. Symbols of sexuality, violence, and hyper masculinity and hyper femininity affect the audience of these games. The players attach a meaning of normalcy to these characters and in turn expect to be like them.
I researched various video games and examined their content for gender roles and sexist themes. I used my own collection of video games for this content analysis to demonstrate that many popular games include these characteristics. After examining ten of my own games at random, I determined that 50% of these games included themes linked to sexuality. I also discovered that 30% displayed hyper masculinity, 10% displayed hyper femininity, and 20% displayed both.
These findings indicate that may be quite easy to discover the gender roles in the video game industry. Some of the games I studied included the “damsel in distress” themes, contributing to hyper femininity and a stereotype of weakness that is linked to the female gender. This form of media is guilty for often perpetuating the common stereotypes that are invalid and offensive. It also contributes to the lowered self-esteem of the young players who do not fit these standards.
However, video games can also damage the way young men see themselves. These games teach that they need to be the brave, manly man that always needs to rescue the princess, or the barbarian that solves all of their problems with their fists. These are very harmful gender roles as well. Seeing that he can’t be like the characters he is used to pretending to be, the boy’s self-esteem is lowered and he begins to see himself as weak and inadequate. He can’t save the princess or beat bad guys with his bare hands.
It is important to recognize the effects of these sexist themes in popular video games to help combat and prevent the unrealistic standards that they can create. Since the main demographic of the video game industry is boys and young men, the earlier they are exposed to these ideas, the easier these ideas are to be ingrained in their minds. Looking at the video game collections of men aged sixteen through twenty-one, one can see that many of the popular games that they own include themes that unfairly portray women and generate images of men that they seek to emulate.
According to functionalist theories this issue is dysfunctional, causing an imbalance in gender role perception. By neglecting to eradicate gender roles, the video game industry creates more work for parents, educators, and other members of society by having them retract the idea of gender stereotypes from their young minds. Dysfunctions such as this one correlate directly with social instability. This school of sociological thought describes manifest and latent functions, as identified by Robert Merton, both of which have obvious examples in the concept of gender roles. The manifest function of gender roles and stereotypes in video games, the intended purpose, is to sell products by drawing the attention of an audience by advertising overly exaggerated images and themes that would entice possible buyers. However the latent functions are much more harmful. One lasting influence is the perpetuation of such stereotypes. Latent functions are often the unintended effects of the manifest function and the action itself. Preserving these false images is a major contributor to the way players see gender. It is a realized fact that the “most common ways of stereotyping in video games are ‘damsels in distress’ and sexual objectification” (Kondrat, 2015). Another latent function is the feeling of inadequacy brought on by the need to conform to an unattainable standard. A functionalist might use Durkheim’s term “anomie” to describe the sense of meagerness and insignificance that this social issue can cause. Anomie is defined by Ferris and Stein as “a sense of disconnection brought about by the changing conditions of modern life” (2014, p.22).
From a conflict theorist’s perspective, gender roles in video games can be seen as a social inequality caused ideology of stereotypes that are transmitted and even magnified by video game creators. Conflict theorists believe that social conflict brings revolutionary change. Social change is not possible through false consciousness. Marx, the philosopher whose ideas laid the groundwork for conflict theory, describes false consciousness as the denial of reality that allows inequalities to continue. Although this concept was originally designated for class inequities, the idea can be translated to other issues such as this one about gender roles. According to conflict theory, class consciousness (or revolutionary consciousness) allows the acknowledgement of social disparities by the oppressed groups, creating an opposition against the oppressive institution. As stated in the textbook, “This can only happen when people recognize how society works and challenge those in power. [Marx] believed that social change would occur when there was enough tension and conflict” (Ferris & Stein 2014, p.26). Following the rules of revolutionary consciousness, men and women affected by gender roles in video games can recognize that this industry is contributing to harmful stereotypes and oppression and they can help lead the efforts to discontinue these false ideologies. As a faction of conflict theory, feminist theory specifically acknowledges gender inequality as an aspect of society that constitutes the way we live. Feminism is an idea that promotes equality among the sexes. The feminism movement sparked male liberationism in the 1970’s, which then evolved into the pro-feminist men’s movement (Ferris & Stein 2014, p. 263-64). Both of these movements support the belief that men are harmed by gender roles as well, such as the ones presented in many video games.
George Herbert Mead and other interactionists would see this issue of stereotypes as a social construct. Interactionist theory suggests that everything we have constructed and given meaning to in society is done through interaction. This school of thought allows us to understand how society is constructed. According to these beliefs, gender roles and norms are simply social constructs created through interaction. This theory can be related to this topic by stating that the stereotypes presented are communicated through various channels, thus given meaning to. Erving Goffman states that our “self” is molded by society by interaction and communication. This suggests that these gender norms can leave impressions on the viewers, causing them to adjust to them. These expectations compel the audience (in this case the players) to want to adapt to them because that’s what they believe to be normal. Symbols of sexuality, violence, and hyper masculinity and hyper femininity affect the audience of these games. The players attach a meaning of normalcy to these characters and in turn expect to be like them.
I researched various video games and examined their content for gender roles and sexist themes. I used my own collection of video games for this content analysis to demonstrate that many popular games include these characteristics. After examining ten of my own games at random, I determined that 50% of these games included themes linked to sexuality. I also discovered that 30% displayed hyper masculinity, 10% displayed hyper femininity, and 20% displayed both.
These findings indicate that may be quite easy to discover the gender roles in the video game industry. Some of the games I studied included the “damsel in distress” themes, contributing to hyper femininity and a stereotype of weakness that is linked to the female gender. This form of media is guilty for often perpetuating the common stereotypes that are invalid and offensive. It also contributes to the lowered self-esteem of the young players who do not fit these standards.