more politics and pictures

Someone was quoted in the NYTimes last week saying that this is the most exciting Presidential election in a LONG time. At least for me, I know that I read my Times and Washington Post emails to stay updated on how Clinton and Obama are doing in the primaries.

Obama's political narrative

Asian America and Obama:
Obama's Asian Problem?
Some response from Racialious


Speaking of politics, the Dominican Republic's presidential election is in May. According to my Political Process professor, Dominicans are fanatics for their preferred candidate. There are street parties on Sundays that stop traffic to rally support in communities. I think that's really cool. The only problem is that each party seems to have the same ideals and according to my professor none have proposed specific plans for the economy, improving politics, anything...

Referring back to my previous post where I mentioned liberal arts education, a friend from Amherst emailed me saying that the real problem is how those that can change the country leave. (BTW, I love responses and criticism so send some more.) I tried to figure out the number of Dominicans immigrating out of the DR but I don't have anything from a reputable source. I'm sure immigration adds to the weakness of the economy though. My professor here defines the DR's economy with 3 points: 1) tourism, 2) free trade zones (la zona francas), where foreign companies do not pay tariffs to the country for having factories or importing materials; and 3) remittances ($ from American relatives sent to the country). The communality: foreigners. The economy is controlled by outsiders.

The real point of debate with this friend comes down to a chicken and egg question. Change education first to change the people? Or change the people first, who can later change the education? It's not so clear-cut for sure. I say we're both right. But either way, the change has to come willingly from the people... And that is why more and more, I am convinced that gobalization does not benefit the Third World. How can the people truly decide for themselves when some of the strongest intellectual/cultural forces are from outsiders? The import of ideas can be a good thing, but the ideology and interests of capitalism is not good at all when countries are not ready for the pressures of global market.

Switching to socialism, Catro resigned. Whether or not it changes much from a new president, this makes Cuba an even more interesting case. I wonder how Castro has prepared the country for this? And particularly for me, Cuba interests me because of the ideas of 1) how can socialism work? 2) the incorporation of multiple facets of identities. Last night, I was talking to Jenny, an independent Canadian study abroad student about Cuban life. She spent her last semester in Cuba and was telling me how strong the Cuban celebration of AfroCaribbean roots are, ESPECIALLY compared to the DR. And I'm want to learn more about Cuba's role in the world... I'll get my chance soon.

Oh yes, more pics... ack. I need to do my HW....








This is a Methodist church (in a Catholic country). It was founded by former African American slaves who were invited to live in the country when Haiti controlled the entire island during Presdient Boyer in 1822. They still speak English in the region today.












We stayed at a ridiculous resort that trapped us in the role of tourists... not what I wanted. But the group did go whale watching... The whale is in this picture, I swear. Some of us also met this great Dominican biology student on the boat. Now me and the other two girls who talked to him must scheme to win his heart... haha we liked him a lot, ok? He might even be the Dominican feminist we all want.









seriously?