(Virtual) Campus Event Reflection

Oct 25 2020, Zoom

I attended this month’s current events catch-up via Zoom. One of the news stories that stood out to me the most was the tragic killing of French teacher Samuel Paty. The perpetrator Abdoullakh Anzorov had travelled almost 60 miles to attack Paty after the history teacher showed caricatures of the Muslim Prophet Mohammad in class. Paty was a strong believer in France’s system of laïcité, the strict secularism that many French consider integral to their democracy, and showed depictions of other major religious figures as well. The killing has led to a flaring up of French nationalism across the country, and French president Emanuel Macron would go on to give strong statements condemning the attack, saying that “Islamists want our future and they know that with quiet heroes like him they will never have it.” The governments of many Muslim majority nations have been critical of President Macron’s response with calls to boycott French goods and Turkish President Erdogan calling President Macron’s mental health into question. These events have also brought a key question to the forefront of discussion in France: is the system of cultural and political assimilation through public schooling in need of major change? Some believe that strongly pushing for assimilation breeds xenophobia across France, as it embeds an idea that otherness is to be looked down upon. Those who do not attain a sense of belonging in France via schooling can be come ostracized and detached, lacking a concrete sense of identity. One thing is for sure, the case of Anzorov is a sign that integration program reform is deeply needed in France.

Academic Event Reflection

24 October 2019, Page Hall

I attended a talk on the work of the Ohio State Global Water Insitute and general water insecurity. Prior to the talk, while I did have some understanding of the worsening global water crisis, my depth of knowledge on the subject was quite limited. It was shocking to hear about the scarcity of secure sources of clean water in nations such as Tanzania, and unthinkable that over half of clinics in some areas do not have constant access to clean drinking water. It was uplifting to hear about the water institute and all of their projects. The work the GWI does is impactful and meaningly addresses local issues at their core, rather than putting a bandaid on them. While some charities may approach the issue by perhaps giving a diesel water pump to a village and call it a victory, the truth is not so. We learned about the various effects the introduction of the pump could have, and how important it is to coordinate with local leaders first. In a similar case, the village’s diesel reserves had run out and overreliance on a pump had dangerous repercussions. Domestic violence had increased as a result of the increased time women spent at home rather than collecting water, putting them in a risky environment. Some of it could have been predicted, but some not. GWI makes sure to meet with communities to ensure that their specific needs are being met and that the implementation will go smoothly, resulting in sustainable sources of clean water. GWI also requires that women be actively involved in the running of the water source, helping ensure opportunities for those who may have trouble finding adequate work. This experience gave me valuable insight into the nuances of effective foreign aid and how international crises can be tackled.

Academic Event Reflection

20 October 2019, Smith-Steeb Hall

I attended a showing of the acclaimed documentary American Factory, which illustrated a harrowing future for manufacturing in the United States. With the rise of Chinese investment in the US, we see the opening of Fuyao Glass America in Dayton replacing the previously defunct GM factory. Initial talks of the future of the factory and its workers are incredibly optimistic, speaking of a new era in bright US-China relations and the rebirth of Ohio industry. I was shocked by the reception to Sherrod Brown’s speech on unions, where Chinese executives stated that they would immediately shut down the operation should a union form. It set the tone of the documentary and it only continued to darken.

Relations between American workers and Chinese supervisors were often tense and featured sporadic clashes on issues of worker safety and conditions. Chinese executives often made remarks about Americans, speaking of their “fat fingers” and comparing them to donkeys. At one point, a supervisor proposes forcing workers to work overtime as is done in China. Another responds that that isn’t legal, to which the former replies “What will they do, sue me?” Although there were occasional moments of friendship and comradery between Americans and Chinese, they were always blotted out by worsening developments in the factory. Union activists are targeted and fired. Many lose both their jobs and their homes. If the future of manufacturing in my home state is represented by Fuyao, I’m incredibly worried for this foreign investment may end up affecting labor laws in favor of Chinese factories. Considering Fuyao paid over $1 million to prevent workers from unionizing, to lobby through money would not be far off. The extreme contrasts between American and Chinese work dynamics are the embodiment of the focus of International Affairs, and I’m incredibly glad I watched the film.