Half the Sky (Final Reading Post)

After finishing Half the Sky and hearing about various tales and triumphs of women, all ages included, and what is going on in some parts of the world, I think it's safe to say that I am very fortunate and that some change needs to happen...and fast. Basically, what Kristoff and WuDunn repeatedly state throughout this book is that these problems, thousands of miles away, involving different cultures that seem foreign to us, and are so far away from our problems that our mental capacity has a hard time understanding NEED to be obligations for American citizens.

Kristoff and WuDunn quote, "we single out the West, because even though they are peripheral to slavery and the horrors occurring, our action is necessary to overcome this necessary evil" (143). I think Kristoff and WuDunn are 100 percent right in fact. Our country possess the resources, capacities, and funds to enact change. Whether it be by education the rest of the world, providing aid, or making it a part of our political agenda - something NEEDS to be done.

Personally, I think the most important part is educating everyone about what is going on and also educating the women in these predicaments in Pakistan, Cambodia, etc. that they have other options and this is not the way things should be (if we could get past cultural and religious beliefs and histories). However, education is definitely the most important thing surround a solution to this issue.

The second largest issues becomes the law, and laws don't mean much if they are not followed. This relates to all women traffickers and prostitutes, but mostly Kristoff and WuDunn recognize this when they explore female genital mutilation in Africa.

However, one solution they provide is that if everyone could look past the failures and differences of multiculturalism and work together, educate together, and understand then some real progress could be made, and I agree. It's hard to imagine any real tangible change happening -simply because who will be a "doer" and who will start? BUT I do believe it's possible.

Thanks Professor for assigning this book to read, and opening my eyes to some issues going on in the world that I had no idea about. I really learned a lot from your class! Thank you!

Books2Share

Mission: To provide individuals with an interactive community to share books, in every language, from every part of the world, and for free. Books provide individuals, groups, and the world at large with knowledge, insight, and prospective. If there was a community in every part of the world, compromised of an eclectic mix of races, ethnicities, cultures, etc. that shared books that were important to them, you not only would learn about all types of peoples, cultures, and history, but also would gain more understanding about what is going on in different corners of the world. Stories, experiences, and histories that are so vital to one group of people could be translated and transplanted into another culture and transform the way they think about themselves and about others. It would create an environment of understanding and empathy to know what is important around the world and why it is important. Books2Share would connect individuals with the capacities to send their favorite books around the world in the hopes that someone else would read them and it would transform their entire perspective - think a global book club or Amazon without paying for books, simply sharing.

Books2Share most importantly - educates. It gives individuals a change to understand and learn from other people while sharing a part of themselves through their books. Reading and learning should be continuous in someone's life and Books2Share could provide a platform that could make that a reality for someone who lacks the resources for literary retailers.

Books2Share is a unique organization because it takes something as simple as books, which are going out of style, and finds a way to connect individuals without using technology. Reading books is a lost art these days thanks to numerous devices that allow you to read "plugged in". To recreate the joy and simplicity of books and sharing books by word of mouth - or in this case through written word of mouth - is much more powerful and meaningful then online recommendations from strangers and computer calculated suggestions. Books2Share creates an organic environment for individuals to share, meet, and connect while learning and educating themselves.

Anima Mundi Development Partners should support Books2Share because of the message it is creating. Reading, learning, and knowledge are important. And more than that, connecting and understanding with different peoples from all walks of life creates an empathic and peaceful environment. If we could connect individuals and conflicting groups through something everyone has -  books - and something everyone does - read - we could solve real problems.

For example: Books2Share has connected two individuals, one young adult living in Beverly Hills in California and another young adult living in Nepal. The young adult in Beverly Hills sends his favorite book, The Alchemist, while the young adult in Nepal sends a book about the harmful world of sex slaves and child prostitution occurring in his country. The young adult in Beverly Hills reads about the horrific crimes going on in Nepal and decides he has the resources and the capacities to bring attention to this matter, and he could personally do something to help. Consequently, the you'd adult in Nepal reads the Alchemist and is inspired by the overarching theme in the book, that when you want something, all the world conspires in helping you achieve it. The young adult in Nepal is suddenly inspired to change his life, get an education, and help others. This may be far fetched, but you never know the power of words and of lessons you learn from others and from reading books about others stories, experience, and learned knowledge that becomes shared knowledge.