It's been a busy week for all of us considering we had our papers to crank out and turn in. It's funny seeing how 30 college kids do their work. Some get stuff done ahead of time and right away, some do it in small parts, and then there's the ones that are typing it all out the night before. Fairly certain everyone finished it, though, so they all work.
On Tuesday, I finally presented my project on the South African and United States electoral systems. It was put off by a week. I thought it went well and now I know a lot more about how we elect people so that's a plus. I guess that was the point of the project, though. Ha! It feels good to have it out of the way.
In peace studies we discussed the principles (indivisible, universal, incontrovertible, inalienable, etc.) that surround and help define what human rights are and how complex and complicated they can get when dealing with the law. For example, the Oscar Pistorius case is gaining speed and it is the thing to be watching down here. This is the amputee Olympian from South Africa who murder his girlfriend and then said he thought that she was an intruder coming into his home. Whatever, dude. If you didn't like her all you had to do was break up with her. Unreal. Anyways, sorry for the tangent - back to my point. The judge ordered that journalists could not use social media, print, or TV to inform the public of the details of her death. The debate is that he is limiting freedom of speech, but then he countered saying that the deceased and family have a right to privacy. So, are certain human rights more important than others? One human right isn't supposed to have preference over another.So, that's the question and problem we were getting at. Pretty interesting.
We watched a documentary on the TRC in seminar today. The TRC, Truth and Reconciliation Committee, was set up after Apartheid to bring out the truth about crimes against humanity. The TRC allowed for victims and their families to hear what happened and for perpetrators to apply for amnesty, a pardon. The world was stunned at how South Africa was able to forgive. Not all, but many perpetrators were granted amnesty by the victims families so that they could move on and live their lives. A major case was about Amy Beihl. Amy was a U.S. student who also was an anti-apartheid activist. She got caught up in a riot in 1993 and was killed because she was white. They wanted to send a message to the oppressors (whites). Unfortunately, they attacked the wrong person while doing so. The parents were able to forgive the young man who committed the crime. I find this amazing because I am not quite sure how I would react if I was in their situation. Ours and the worlds justice system is more of a punishment system, for obvious reasons. However, I find it very intriguing to see this side of it, amnesty and all. It's great but tends to be hard to grasp because were so used to the punishment system. I think setting up the TRC was a very good idea that succeeded for South Africa.
Little side note: Ordered a hamburger and fries the other day and the waitress responds saying they don't have any of those. Just beef burgers and chips. Come to think of it, she's right. It is beef. Thought that was kind of funny. Interesting to see how countries and different parts of the world do things differently. Especially in what they say and call things.
Other than discussing fun topics in class and typing that paper things are going smoothly. There was some rain yesterday but the sun is back today. Nice 72 degrees. The South Africans are getting worried that winter is coming. Us Minnesotans just laugh under our breath. I'd take this any day over our -30 winters.
Looks like there's just a test and one more presentation over the next two weeks before spring break (or is it fall break?) Vacation spot = Cape Town!!! So awesome. Can't complain, life is good. Very excited for that week because I hear there is lots to do there. Should be a blast!
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