Sohee Han: JFK and Cuban Missile Crisis

Sohee Han writes: In “John F. Kennedy, Cuban Missile Address,” Kennedy actually had many different ways to react against the Soviet Union. Rather than announce its risk, he could hide it from the public making secret compromise with Castro privately. This raises the question why Kennedy determines to publish such a danger to his people. I can think of two reasons why Kennedy took his action. First, he wants to show that he is not going to pull back from the war if the Soviet Union threats the United States. The United States and the Soviet Union held the major powers during the Cold War. If Kennedy pulled back when the Soviet Union showed some threats, the Soviet Union will belittle the United States and it can even bring worse result such as causing another war. The other reason I could think of is the reputation himself. By sharing such important news with people, citizens will trust him more and likely to follow his decision even though Kennedy may change his mind. The article “John F. Kennedy, Cuban Missile Address” is very interesting documents that makes readers to think why Kennedy takes such an action with taking risk.

Angela Kim: Democratic North Korea?

Angela Kim writes:

Title: The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea, not South)
As we talk about the communist regime in North Korea and how the Soviet has influenced that regime both in class (as the professor mentioned specifically today) and in the text, some may wonder why North Korea, of all countries, has its name so contradictory to its form of government. We all know that it is actually the farthest possible from a democratic country, with two consecutive generations of dictatorship and another one yet to come. The verdict is that the good old Soviet influence was not only conceptual but also nominal-- in the sense that it influenced the shape of NK's name as well. Well, there's three parts to the name: the "Democratic," the "People," and the "Republic." Starting from the last one, the "Republic" comes from the turn of history marking the end of the Russian Empire, the end of a monarchic rule. The "People," of course, refers to the socialist principle that was prevalent through the totalitarian governments during the Cold War Period. The last one, "Democratic," comes from the overall dedication of the government for the "people" in support for the riddance of classes. In relating the "people" aspect, they came up with the "Democratic" to insert into its name. And so, the big name The Democratic People's Republic of Korea was formed. Next time you read its name hopefully you won't be as confused.

Source: http://www.slate.com/id/2215156/

Sohee Han: Korean Cold War?

Sohee Han writes: What is the origin of the term “Cold War”? The term “Cold War” was originated from the post World War II where two major powers, the United States and the Soviet Union, fought over each other. However, this war was different from previous wars such as World War I and World War II, because unlike those previous wars, there was no arm used during Cold War. This reminds me the division between North and South Korea today. Once they were united into one country, but they are divided into two separate countries today. However, it is important to recognize that these two nations are not completely divided yet. Can these two countries be called Cold War? I doubt it. Although they are divided, they are not fighting. Thus, I don’t think the tension between North and South Korea can be called Cold War.

Sohee Han: Special Education and Segregation

Sohee Han writes: In the last decades, many public places were segregated and school was not an exception. In chapter 25, Brown v. Board of Education, it discusses about the unfairness of accepting students within the schools. Black people could not attend schools, not only by a prejudice perception, but as a law. Soon, under the Fourteenth Amendment, the black people also could have education but with separated facilities. Although the law states that black people have right to have equal opportunity as white people, the reality is different. As a future educator, it remained me the law in today’s society. Today, the United States published the law that all people who born in the United States have right to have education. This not only includes different races of people, but even people who are disabled. If a child is disabled in physically or mentally that may affected on learning, it is school’s responsibility to teach a child when his/her parents asked the school. This shows how the education system has improved over last several decades.

Sohee Han: Rosa Parks

Sohee Han writes: Losing act of rights due to the color skin is unfair and should not be placed. However, the segregation between whites and blacks remained fairly long in our history. Black people had to give up their rights for white people and even the laws supported this segregation. For example, black people had to give up their seats to whites in the bus. Not because white people pay more for the bus seats, but because they are white and the law said to do so. Rosa Parks is the one who recognizes as the first black person who refused to give up her seat. Since nobody refused to give up their seats before, her action put people in shock. Then, why did she not give up her seat? Was her action was planned before she get on the bus? There are many controversies on this subject and I found one interesting reason: she did not give up her seat because she was too tired from her long work on the following website: http://www.grandtimes.com/rosa.html. Also, there is description about her after story.

Karla Mercado: Pre-Rosa Parks Bus Activism

Karla Mercado writes: I heard from a friend who majors in American History that Rosa Parks wasn't the first to refuse to give up her seat on the bus for a white person. Nine months before, a 15-year-old named Claudette Colvin also refused. I found an article about her that was published less than a month ago. The site of the article is http://www.newsweek.com/id/187325. Her story was not overseen as thoroughly as Rosa Parks' story because of the fact that she was only a 15-year-old who became pregnant a few months later. The civil rights activists did not want a pregnant teenager to be the figure of their boycott. During Thursday's discussion, we noticed how Jo Ann Gibson Robinson's document on the Montgomery Bus Boycott lauded Rosa Parks' stature, stating that Parks was "dignified and reserved". We also heard from Lindsay that the Rosa Parks' incident was planned. I think that since Parks was part of the NAACP, the NAACP must've been aware of other people refusing to give up their seats on the bus for whites and decided that they needed an African American who was more involved with society and more respected to increase awareness. Civil rights activists needed a strong figure to represent their cause. I think that the activists were very clever to have chosen Rosa Parks, but at the same time, Claudette Colvin should also be remembered and recognized for her efforts.

Achieve in Africa

A Message From Boston University Student Brendan Callahan:



In my final year here at Boston University, I co-founded a non-profit organization called Achieve in Africa with another BU student, Alyssa Snow. Starting this organization has been something I have wanted to do ever since I visited Africa two summers ago (as a sophomore) and saw children thirsty for knowledge, but lacking the facilities and supplies needed for a proper education.



The mission of the organization is to give children in Africa the ability to achieve in school by providing the facilities and supplies needed for a proper education.



Currently, the goal is to raise $30,000 for Olasiti Primary School in Tanzania. This school was chosen because it is overcrowded and the villagers are mostly subsistence farmers who are unable to support the school since household incomes average between only $90 and $100 per year. For pictures and information about this school and the organization, please visit AchieveInAfrica.org



After graduation in May, I will be traveling to Tanzania in June to oversee construction. The cost of the flight will not be paid for by donations. All funds raised will go directly to the materials and labor required for this school. Since Achieve in Africa a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, all donations are tax-exempt.



I would appreciate if you passed on this email to anyone who you think would be interested in the cause. Thank you for taking the time to read this.



In Swahili, "Pamoja, Tutafaulu." Together, we will achieve.