Extra Note:

Well my fellow bloggers, after writing the proposal for you all last night, the fact that I had narrowed it down to the tribes in Paraguay kept gnawing at me. I guess knowing that I have all this information at my disposal and that I could, in all honestly, cover more ground if I spread myself out, finally got me to decide that I will be incorporating the Guarani people as a whole. It is a bit more to cover, but should pay off in the long run. I just don't want to limit myself. All right, Im off too scan your blogs. Toodles!

Jocelyn =)

I will be their megaphone =)

In my research paper, I wish to address the impact of environmental exploitation, (for example: deforestation), economic growth ( for example: cattle ranching, rather than horticulture), racism and outsiders (for example: missionaries and of course, the evil Western land developer), on the Guarani people of Paraguay. The Guarani are an indigenous peoples dispersed throughout South America, and the term itself refers to their language, as well as their heritage. These people take pride in their culture and in the face of change, desperately try to hold on to this, because at times it is all they have left.

For centuries, the Guarani have been trampled on and the land they had long hunted and gathered on, taken from them. Entire tribes were removed and forced deeper into the forest, or onto plots of land, where they could barely grow enough food to support themselves. Just as their land is taken, so is their dignity and way of life. It has gotten to the point that, in the last decade alone, over 200 individuals have committed suicide. Among them, cases of mothers unable to feed children, children as young as nine, and young girls dreading having to raise a family in those conditions. Ranchers raid, shooting rounds near play areas, raping women, and beating the men as they see fit. To them these are not people, they are animals with no rights, no home and most of all, no voice. All these people end their lives, fearing losing themselves in this change; suffering watching others suffer.

These atrocities, however, seem to go unnoticed to a certain extent. It is not until a tribe leader makes an effort to speak to an official, or contact relatives that have migrated into the cities for wage labor, that word gets out. Sadly, the government is just recently beginning to get involved in tribal affairs, and from what I have gathered there has also been an increase of Western pressure (for example: humanitarian organizations). There has even been a petition to recognize their language and make it official, for more than 90 % of Paraguay’s population know a bit of it. Surprisingly, efforts to gain some land rights have succeeded and a few tribes are occupying the lands of their parent’s and grandparent’s generations once again.

I came across this subject in my Cultural Anthropology class, while reading an ethnography on the Guarani tribes. I was intrigued, and this paper will give me the creative outlet.

Let’s see to who I write this paper? Well, in all seriousness, first off, to all those Guarani who felt the need to end their lives in this environmental and racial conflict. Second, to the land developers who are constantly taking chunks of their rainforest away, degrading their living standards and social patterns. And lastly, to all those who will hear the message and have a voice to relay it.
Who will publish this? Hmm, I would like to post it online, the information should be available. I don’t see why not. Maybe at a site dedicated to campaigning for the improvement of the these hostile situations or an environmental organization shedding light on the social effects of land development.

(1) Alright, this site contains about five articles that I will be using as research, but I decided to post the home page for your browsing pleasure. There you will find some the cases I mentioned in the abstract, including an article about the tribe’s “land victory”. This source offered some insight into the problems constantly faced by the people, as well as a few interesting quotes that set the tone for their view on life. In regards to relentlessly fighting for their rights, one man says, “If you kill an ant, more come out to be killed. We Indians are like that.”

(2) Oh, surprisingly, this source was found on Blogger!! Mentioned here is the brutality experienced by the Guarani peoples in Bolivia. Although I tried to narrow down my spectrum to Paraguay, or I would possibly have too much to write, I want to make a place for this in my work. These people are being exploited for cheap labor and are practically slaves. Apparently, these acts are justified as an effort to “civilize them”. You decide.

(3) So, here we have a letter in which the an organization of “multilingualism” which advocates the need for Guarani to become an official language noted in the Mercosur Parliament. The author states several reasons why the language should be validated, like the fact that it is a language taught in school, and had been declared an “official language alongside Spanish” in the Republic of Paraguay in 1992. Another argument is that other languages rarely spoken in Mercosur, have been made official. Therefore, it is only fair that the people who speak do Guarani deserve to be recognized, and to have it recognized, like any other form of communication. I plan to make note of this discrimination in my paper, as well as take into context the distribution of the language among different countries.

(4) Lastly, before I melt your poor little eye sockets: The link won’t work, but this is an article found through LexisNexis called Jungle tribe quarantines itself from West~

It describes a tribe's efforts to lower suicide rates in its teenagers, and limit their contact with what they consider to be “the modern world”. Therefore, for two months there are restricting their children and teens from going into the main villages, interacting with tourists, and drinking alcoholic beverages.

The elders have brought forth intervention with high hopes that they could rekindle the spirituality in these youngsters. They hope to shower them with cultural virtue and prevent, what I believe is, the contamination of their souls. Passing down the knowledge they acquired from elders before them about such things as “jungle plants with medicinal qualities”, brings them closer together. Change is not good for these people, and holding on seems to be the only remedy for their distress. Once again, their struggles are highlighted. The effect that change in location, and ways of living have effected the Guarani. I will make an example of the elders attempts to salvage their younger generations and maintain their interest.

Well, hope you enjoyed, and are at least a bit intrigued lolz I will be checking yours out in bit! =)

Jocelyn =) Much Love!

(Idon't know why the space is like that =( I am so not computer savvy =( so suggestions are appreciated lolz)

Oh no! My Reese's!!

Hmmm, let’s see what has changed over these last six weeks… As I have mentioned before I have always cared about the environment and acknowledged the effects of global warming. I have done my best to apply energy saving techniques at home and share my beliefs with the younger generations. I guess that watching Gore’s film, The Inconvenient Truth, along with reading the book, really struck a cord with me. I had heard of the poor drowning polar bears, of the glaciers disappearing, of storms and heat waves getting worse, but the harsh reality that we would be seeing the “Day after Tomorrow” effects in less than another hundred years left me thinking. I had actually had a conversation with my mother about the issues, and at one point even thought that maybe bringing a child into this world wouldn’t be a good idea. I mean, my children’s children could be living in the disastrous wasteland that lies ahead of us. My mother argued that if more people thought like me, maybe we would solve the population problem. Then, she added that she REALLY wanted a grandchild though…”Maybe one”, I said. =) So I guess I am just more scared, than I was before. I sound like a lunatic, ( my mother says =) ) talking about how if we don’t change it’ll be the end of the world as we know it. Another point, is a question the professor had asked us earlier on, “Do believe that we will eventually be a utopia or a dystopia?” I said that I reserved a bit of hope, that I hadn’t seen too much willingness in the public, but that maybe, just maybe, there would be a day that we would be more environmentally conscious. After reading the five blogs for Blog 5, and checking out those of my fellow classmates, I have to say that my hope is stronger and steadier than before. Universities, corporations, and regular people, like us, are worried about what’s going on, and are trying to get the word out there. There are so many solutions being outlined, new problems being discovered, and the prospect of a new world on the horizon. As of late, I have seen a boom of commercials and ads about recycling, being “green”, and even the Sundance channel is giving way to a slew of environmentally friendly programs. In the train, at school, on billboards, during my favorite shows, the showering of advertisements telling us that we must do our part to protect this world. There are angles about great savings in the long run, healthier and happier lives, and being “green” as a fashionable trend. Hey, I still say “Green is the new Black.”, and I’m going to get my slogan printed on a second-hand t-shirt. Lol I’m going to patent that! The group project provided more insight that religion and spirituality could be used to enlighten people. Certain religious ethics are trying to be implemented in environmental education and conservation projects. People sometimes find these ideas more relatable to everyday life, and accept them more readily. So all in all, this has been an wonderful experience and an eye opener as well. I look forward to our trip to the museum and want to check out the water exhibit as well. The research project seems like its going to a fun and interesting undertaking. Where is this all taking me, you ask? Well, in Fall 2008 LaGuardia is hoping to start an Environmental Science course, and I am so in! I will continue being my “super hippie” self, as my friends call me, and keep propelling toward a career where I can make a difference. Jocelyn =) “Stop global warming now, or all the Reese’s will melt.”

Making Differences, One Blog at a Time

Well, forgive me if this entry lacks some energy, but I am feeling particularly under the weather. The blogs, however, served as some upliftment for they expressed genuine interest in the global issues. For example, The Sustainable Cities Blog is in conjunction with CUNY and reports on events and seminars, as well as local news. I liked the way this blog was organized because it pointed out things that are effecting New Yorkers everyday. The MTA, statistics about how climate change will affect our region, and the intergration of more non-white researchers. Although, these topics correlate with environmentalism, I didn't feel a connection between the blogger and I. I felt that the topics were just being reported and informational. The GristMill also has this reportative kind of feel. It is a base for "environmental news and commentary". I really liked the most recent article about carbon dioxide levels in the ocean and how it is changing the face of photosynthesis as we know it. Funny enough, we just started the topic of photosynthesis in my Biology class, so I plan to post this link on our discussion board. Overall, it gave me the same impression as the first. I did find the post weird in a way, I don't know, all the ...'s, I wasn't sure if he was just putting down excerpt's from the article or his own thoughts. Again, it was interesting but not as intriguing as I had hoped. Let's see, for Green as a Thistle , I really felt like Vanessa was really trying to reach her audience. She's funny and most importantly, honest, so as you follow her journey you can't help but cheer her on. She mentions a book deal, so of course, you guys know I'm getting that! I thought her entries showed how she changed as a person, as well as how she changed her lifestyle. I plan to read some more entries, and keep up with her updates. Now, No Impact Man was really interesting. Knowing that he is trying to do this in New York City of all places, really gives off a sense of allure. I love how he mentions bringing along his " baby daughter, and Prada wearing, Four Seasons- loving wife" for the ride. The rent-a-toys scheme is something I hope will take off, and I will try to find one organization that does it in Manhattan. Well, it was his blog that I commented on. His point about establishing "a materials economy based on things that last instead of things designed to be thrown away", really reminded me of standing in line at the store and looking at a wall and seeing disposable cameras, pens, eating ware, cell phones and lighters. I just don't see why most of these things have to be disposable, we can reuse things like this. Use a regular camera: replace film or memory card, refill pens, wash dishes and utensils (don't be lazy) and refill lighters. I guess if we did these things the manufacturers wouldn't make any money then, right? Lastly, the Eco Geek is also an informative blog, but the way it is written shows alot more personality than the prior blogs. The information about the waterheaters, hybrid cars, and energy sufficient houses was put across not only with facts but with a supportive opinion. He even mentions things he disagrees with. So it goes to show that although it might mean green, it doesn't necessarily mean its a full-proof idea. I guess that's a little about each of the blogs. Short and sweet, which is new for me lolz Hope you enjoy. I plan to check up on each of these regularly to follow any new issues that I may miss. To all my fellow ranters, Goodnight. Jocelyn =)