Duncan Ogan
   Teacher Blog


   Esta pagina esta aun en construccion. En los proximos dias estare incluyendo material del curso
   de 1er Grado 2019.
   Los comentarios y preguntas son siempre bienvenidos.

   Atentamente,
   Duncan Ogan

Last November 10^th a significant election took place in my native country, Argentina. A runoff between officialist candidate Daniel Scioli and opposition leader Mauricio Macri ended up with a victory for Macri, and putting an end to 12 years of Kirchner government (Nestor Kirchner, then his widow Cristina Kirchner). The election was also significant because on the most important State (Buenos Aires) another woman from the opposition, against all odds, became the first female Governor defeating one of the most powerful leaders of the Kirchner government: Anibal Fernandez.

Maria Eugenia Vidal, the new Governor, was a virtual unknown just a few years ago, but worked hard and was never afraid to talk with anyone.  She toured the entire state (biggest province in Argentina and the most populated) and conquered the heart of people with her intelligence and charm.

In the midst of this historical election, one of the intellectuals who most vehemently has supported the Kirchners, philosopher, writer and columnist José Pablo Feinmann, spoke about new Governor Vidal in a way that far exceeds political strategy.  What Feinman said about Maria Eugenia Vidal is that “she is so pretty that she could easily end up being  a victim of human trafficking”.  He used an outdated expression “Trata de blancas” (white slavery) which is also offensive and incorrect as many of the victims of human trafficking are non-white.

Some of the considerations about Feinman’s statements have to do with his reputation as a philosopher, adviser, and propagandist of the Kirchner administration who has remained silent and has not condemned his remarks. In  a sexist country like Argentina it is not easy for a woman to become a political leader unless she is “the wife of”. This was the case of Evita Peron (who was never President  but sometimes overshadowed President Peron in the late 40s) Isabel de Peron (Peron’s second wife who became President in 1975 after Peron’s death) and Cristina Kirchner who became President after her husband passed away while in office.  When a woman like Maria Eugenia Vidal is judged by her looks, it becomes an insult rather than a compliment. Further than that she is threatened by the possibility of being exploited in human trafficking,  which is a serious problem in countries like Argentina. 

An image of some of these  intellectuals try to project is based on a mythic leftist past, a “progressive patina” that easily dissolves under scrutiny.  Feinman who once defended human rights has crossed the line utilizing threatening language that not only offends but dehumanize the woman people have elected to govern the most important State of Argentina.

http://www.perfil.com/politica/Feinmann-le-advirtio-a-la-chica-linda-de-Vidal-Puede-terminar-en-una-trata-de-blancas-20151112-0038.html

As we saw on the documentary "Not just a game" sports is a perfect vehicle to construct and perpetuate social norms of what it means to be a man, or a woman. Some of the attributions and expectations for men include not only displays of "manhood" and courage (toughen up) but patriotism and nationalism. But after the disclosure by the Department of Defense of the money spent to "honor the military" to professional sports team, it is reasonable to question this "paid patriotism" adding to the increasing criticism to the "non profit" status of multi-million dollar organizations like the NFL.

The reasons invoked by the Army include recruitment campaigns, while the Army recognized  that they are actually downsizing. Ten years ago during the war in Irak, the Army was recruiting in schools, it was recruiting Hispanics, who make the majority of field combatants (17.5%) and made up to 11% of the dead soldiers, when the percentage of Hispanic soldiers was only 9%. It was in 2002 that President Bush signed a polemic resolution giving path to citizenship giving path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants who joined the Army. Many like Jesus Suarez del Solar became citizens after finding death in Irak. This inspired his father to found Proyecto Guerrero Azteca to promote conscience about what it means to join the Army, and to make sure that families of potential soldiers (parents have to authorize before age 18) know their rights and know the risks they face. Some of these families for instance did not even know that the draft was not mandatory

 and made up to 11% of the dead soldiers, more than the percentage of Hispanic soldiers. It was in 2002 that President Bush signed a polemic resolution giving path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants who joined the Army. Many like Jesús Alberto Suárez del Solar became citizens after finding death in Irak, which inspired his father to found Proyecto Guerrero Azteca, to create conscience about what it means to join the Army, and to make sure that the families of potential soldiers know their rights and the risks they face. Some of these families for instance did not even know that this was not a draft, and it was not mandatory.

Chauvinism, patriotism and big bucks have very little to do with honoring the lives of our soldiers. it actually promotes brainwashing, imposing dominant ideologies and erasing everything that does not conform with these norms.

It is also a huge amount of money that could be used to build schools, to create jobs and opportunities for the less privileged who become a target when recruiting combatants, as for many joining the Army represents their only possibility of social advancement.

Religious references during these "patriotic" displays should also be challenged. Utilizing federal money to promote religious beliefs is a clear violation of the establishment clause of the First Amendment.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/defense-military-tributes-professional-sports_5639a04ce4b0411d306eda5e

http://www.20minutos.es/noticia/187905/0/muertos/irak/hispanos/

http://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias/2013/03/130327_irak_decimo_aniversario_guerrero_azteca_vp

 A special election on November 3^rd gave Houston voters the opportunity to support Proposition 1:  Houston's Equal Rights Ordinance (HERO) a series of anti-discrimination measures protecting against discrimination not only on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity but race, age, military status, a total of 15 categories in total. Opposition to this ordinance came from conservative Republicans including Governor Greg Abbott, anti-LGBT hate groups and religious groups, in spite that precisely religious organizations would be exempted. They presented the ordinance in very simple, reductionist and incorrect terms: "No men in women's bathrooms" was their slogan. An absolute ignorance and disdain for what it means to be a transgender, and labeling this target group as potential “rapists”. One of this hate groups, the Heritage Foundation, on the words of Ryan T. Anderson, stated that “employers all compete with each other for the best employees. They have incentives to consider only those factors that truly matter for their mission.” What they are basically saying is that we don’t have to provide equal opportunities as there will be other opportunities in the free market. I cannot even think how this would sound to the leaders of the Civil Rights Movement.

The attacks were even more personal, as the Proposition was identified as the last attempt of the “lesbian Mayor” to impose her agenda.

The Proposition finally was finally struck down by Houston voters in spite of the support of national figures like Hillary Clinton, Sally Field, Greg Louganis among others. Huffington Post attributed the defeat to the “factually dishonest message” that “proved to be incredibly effective”, as voters thought they were voting to disallow men entering women’s bathrooms and were unaware of the broader nondiscrimination protections in the measure.

Lance Berkman, a retired Houston Astros star, became a spokesperson of this campaign, stating on a TV sport that he was concerned about the safety of his female family members if HERO passed.  "Proposition 1 would allow troubled men who claim to be women to enter women's bathrooms, showers, and locker rooms”. Transgenders are “troubled men” according to Berkman, so it becomes obvious he is labeling anyone that does not conform to heteronormative values he assumes to be truth, as perverted or abnormal. 

It has been over 40 years that the APA no longer consider homosexuality as a perversion or mental disorder, but some (including Governor Abbott) seem stuck in the past.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/houston-equal-rights-ordinance_5638de92e4b00a4d2e0bee4e

A conference at the UNT Coliseum last Tuesday introduced me to an artist and activist from Portland, OR: Simon Tam. Leader of a music band "The Slants" (a denigrating name for Asian Americans they have appropriated to give it a whole new meaning) he is also an activist on human rights and specifically the issue of racism and discrimination.

Simon started by showing some slides, among them one that featured a Gallup statistic: 94% of White Americans thought that racism was no longer a problem in the United States. Interestingly, as he pointed out, racism is not an issue for White Americans, but what if we would ask the same questions to a member of any minority? All members of minority group have experienced racism in one form or another.

One of his friends mentioned that there is no more racism since we now have a black President. Tam’s answer to that is “then we don’t need to enact the American Disability Act since we had F.D.R. as President in 1932”.

Discussion about racism often lead to proving the other person is wrong and neither of the parties will change their preconceptions. It is essential according to Tam to provide some context to the discussion. It is also important to let the other person know that we value their opinion and avoid confrontation.

Tam offered some tips that I find very helpful for bringing the issue of racism into a discussion.

      1) Listen softly. To what the other person says and why they say it.

      2) Don’t use labels, but rather learn to say “I disagree”.

      3) Redefine racism. Not as a belief, but as an oppressive system, a social structure 
      that needs to be changed.

      4) Get informed. Not memorizing statistics, which you will probably forget when the 
      discussion arises. But events that are recent and that you and the other person can   
      relate to.

      5)  Share your story. A story is much easier to remember and is more personal than 
      any numbers.

      6) Ask questions. What is the other person definition of racism? What sources do they 
      use?

      7) Body Language is an important way of conveying information and disposition to 
      listen.

      8) Focus on Shared Values: as much as you can differ with the other person on many 
      issues, there is  always a common ground.

      9) Analogies always come handy. Such as the example of Obama being black and 
      FDR being physically challenged.

      10) Doing what is right, taking action. Is not enough to talk about racism, but to 
       change the system that perpetuates it. Participating in local organizations, in politics,  
       or even being a candidate!

I really thought of many occasions where I have judged somebody for their appearance. If someone looked Hispanic, I would immediately talk to him in Spanish. Not realizing that many Hispanics only speak English, and some are third or fourth generation Americans. On the other hand I have noticed how many Spanish speaking Hispanics talk to me in English even though I let them know I speak Spanish, as I do not fit the stereotypical image of a Hispanic and look “Anglo”.

Simon Tam proved to be not only an effective communicator but was able to establish connections with the audience, making us aware of our own prejudices. His 10 point approach to the discussion of racism is very valuable and I intend to follow it and treat others the way I want to be treated.