Oppresion

 “Indigenous Resistance and racist schooling on the borders of empires: Coast Salish cultural survival” by Michael Marker’s  informs of us of the issue of assimilation. Towards the indigenous people of North American in the Washington State/Canada area during the 1800’s and the mid 1900’s. The tribes lived without borders throughout the area, then the white man came and imposed borders between families and friends. Separating families and friends, completely disrupting their way of life. Then to make matter worst the new Americans tried to eliminate the indigenous culture through the process of schooling. In the 1800 the children of the tribes were forced  to attend boarding schools. Far away from their families and where they forced to abandon all of their traditions and accept the modern ways of life. The parents of these children would have rather had their children not attend school then loss their traditions. With grandparents becoming the most influential person in the tribe thanks to their knowledge and wisdom. Once children were stopped being forced to go to boarding schools by the federal governments they had to attend newly unsegregated public schools. The children that attended these schools faced harsh criticism and bullying for being different. In time the parents were choosing to send their kids to boarding schools, the same ones they had wanted to leave, instead of publics schools. There their children would be with other Native America just like themselves.
    I enjoyed reading this article. It informed us on history of the United States that is not taught in school, coming from the “other sides” perspective. The perspective that is not often heard due to oppression and being forgotten. At first I had a hard time understanding what exactly what was happening. I felt like a lot was being thrown at me. As I read more the article started to take a chronological form. Then I was able to make out what was happening and relate it to everything else. I find the history of this country pretty brutal and horrendous. While the African-American population was dealing with their Civil Rights movement, other groups were also being oppressed. The indigenous people in this article are a fine example, but also the Chinese population along the west coast, Hispanic population along the South, and the German-Irish population of the 1800s. History is taught by the victors and their point of view. I would like to imagine a world were we all knew the very many different sides.   

The Meatrix

The Meatrix presented information in a fun easy to learn way. The videos simplified all of its main points into a way that anyone could understand. The use of animations presented the information in a non-dull way. Making this viewer want to actually watch the video, as well as the sequels. I was a bit sad when it came to an end and there where no more clips. Using "The Matrix" as the setting for the videos, with their own twist, presented the content in a manner familiar to the audience. Having any one that has watch the original movies, or have an idea on what they are about, be able to draw connection between the two. Besides providing the main topics in a fun familiar way to the audience, at the end of the videos the characters informed the viewer on what he could do to help change the current situation. Including reading the labels of their foods more carefully, to try to stay away from factory farm products and support independent farms. As well as providing a website and link where more information on the topic and what can be done could be found.
Charlotte is the largest city in the the State of North Carolina. With a population of 1.8 million people. It is best know for its banking and not agriculture. To provide food for all of these people grocery stores can be found be practically found in every shopping center. With the grocery stores utilizing factory farms and manufacturing plants to provide their produce and goods. With only a small selection of organic and substitutable food sources sold. In the heart of the city it is very fast pace, with people always on the go. Due to this fast food establishments are one of the most common sites while on the road. These establishments are much worst then grocery stores when it comes to where their food comes from and what goes in it. That does not stop consumers from shopping at these restaurants due to the convenience of fast tasty food available whenever and wherever one will go.
While Charlotte is a massive city is is surround by many rural and urban communities. These communities- such as York County, Gaston County, Albemarle, Mattews, Monroe, and Mint Hill- are for the majority farm based. Instead of fast food restaurants dotting the country sides farms can be seen for as far as the eyes can see. These cities and counties help provide healthier food supplies to the city of Charlotte. I live on the outskirts of Charlotte. Just a 5 to 10 minute drive from my house I can visit a multitude of farmer markets. If I travel further down the road into South Carolina I can find immense farms, both factory and self sustained farms. If people took the time out of their busy schedules to take a ride to one of these local farms they actually buy and meet the people growing their food. Finding out exactly how their food is grown, helping slowly pull back the curtain put in placed by major companies.  

Reading

The reading this week was on a topic I could really relate to- writing from a scientific view point. The chapter was titled, "Biotechnology: Building Consensus for Progress." It touched upon many key point on how to write a scientific paper. This included persuading with a balanced argument. Which is something I try to obtain in all my writing. Through the methods of stating facts and creditable sources, maintaining an unbiased tone, and presenting the information in a way that can be understood by everyone. Where I struggle is stating my own opinion in the writing, being able to fit it in with all the facts and statistics. What I have learned over the past couple weeks is to state a fact to support your argument and then elaborate on it. Slowly building up your own opinion on the subject. While maintaining a balanced reasonable argument.
The reading included in the chapter was by Gordon Conway and Gary Toenniessen titled, "Feeding the World in the Twenty First Century." It touched about the subject of genetically modified foods from a scientific biotechnology perspective. Previously I had written a paper on genetically modified foods but from an ethical and moral stand point. By completing the reading I was able to further learn about the subject. What I found more interesting was how the authors organized their topics, an area where I struggled with. Not just organizing but also the diction, tone, and style they used. Which was greatly different from mine. While I struggled to emphasize on my subject for my paper, Conway and Toenniessen smoothly transition from topic to topic. Relating it all back to their thesis. What I found was that when it comes to writing I would much rather take a scientific stand to my subject then a humanities viewpoint. I just find it easier and more comfortable.

Hydraulic Fracking

    Hydraulic Fracturing is a process by which gas and petroleum products can be removed from a rock source. Millions of gallons of water, sand , and chemicals are pumped underground to break apart the rock in the Marcellus Shale. These millions of gallons help create fissures and cracks along the shale. Providing the natural gas and petroleum products and avenue by which to escape. Once the well reached the Marcellus Shale it slowly turns horizontal as to allow for a larger area to be covered. Hydraulic fracking is used in every nine out of ten gas wells in the United States. Helping keep gas and energy prices lower then the natural average. While providing a relief to the energy crisis.

In the article I had to read this week hydraulic fracking was covered, more precisely how hydraulic fracking has led to water contamination in areas where it is implemented. In Wyoming the EPA drilled two water monitoring wells to the depth of 1000 ft. The test revealed high levels of carcinogenic chemicals such as benzene and 2 Butoxyethanol which are used in fracking. This problem occurred due to weakening of the cement barrier meant to protect the ground from the chemicals used in the well. Allowing gas and chemicals to leak into the ground and water source.   Cases water contamination due to fracking have been on the raise in reason years. With hydrocarbons, methane, and other fracking chemicals found in drinking water. Leading the EPA to cation resident not to drink their water and ventilate their home. Due to the explosive properties of methane found in the water. When the concentration is high enough instead of a stream of water, a stream of fire will emit from the water faucet. The EPA took these water samples and concluded their test in 2008. Residents had been complaining of  fouled water since the mid 1990s. The question is why did it take the EPA so long to respond when the problem had been made nice and clear? The only possible answer could be that the EPA is making deals with gas companies under the table to protect both their backs. At the cost of their consumers health.
    Just recently a bill to allow hydraulic fracking in North Carolina was vetoed. As long as their are health issues associated with fracking it will meet opposition were ever it goes. Scientist and Engineers alike need to acquire a better understanding of the process. To find out what exactly is happening thousands of feet below them in the well and shales. So that the current issues can be handled. Once advancements are made and the process becomes safer to the environment fracking could become one of our main sources of energy. Helping the United States and other countries depend less on fossil fuels. 

A video that explains fracking in a "hip" new way: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=timfvNgr_Q4

http://www.propublica.org/special/hydraulic-fracturing-national

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=fracking-linked-water-contamination-federal-agency