Post Card

As I was writing down my observations for this postcard assignment in Red Square I remember at first feeling a little strange sitting there writing notes as I just observed people. However as the time passed by I started feeling more comfortable, especially as I realized nobody was really paying attention to me watching them.At the time when I first started observing in Red Square, the scene was actually pretty similar to the the scene in the postcard. Except perhaps it was a little less sunny than depicted. At 1:20 the scene was entirely opposite, the empty serene square became completely alive and filled with students making their way to their next class. It was so interesting to observe the dynamics between friends, some people were really animated as they talked to each other, and other people had their headphones plugged in and seemed very much in their own world. Overall the picture in the postcard reflects a calm tranquil scene that is not observed in peak hours.

Initial Thoughts: Research Group Project

There are two areas of interest that I have are Education or Healthcare. I'm very interested in access to health service, perspectives of healthcare and education access, and a comparison of the education system. My specific interest within these larger ideas is disability studies. I'm particularly interested in Autism, but more broadly special needs and disabilities. I want to investigate how people with disabilities' access to healthcare differs in the three countries. I'd also be interested to investigate what special education programs are set up in each country and how that works, i.e. what professionals work with children with disabilities and how easy or difficult it is for families to get the interventions they need.

Providing Creative Solutions: artists engaged

Germany 

One message that I see transcending is of cultural identity. Each artist has their 
own story and shares it through their art.  I particularly was interested in the street art because I feel like it is such a liberating artistic expression and it evokes a feeling in the viewer. Graffiti gives a sense of identity to the hidden artist and allows the artist to express their individuality. I noticed a lot of art by Turkish-Germans which I think speaks to the coming together of cultures and starts the conversation about racial tensions. I would say that the art movement in Germany is focused on acknowledging and dealing with emotional trauma in their history and is liberating them for their past.


Spain 

The art seems to be a social commentary on the economic crisis, the high unemployment rates. I particularly loved the flash mob performance art events built on fake spontaneity that was a form of protest. I liked how the unemployment office responded back in a flash mob, but their message was of support for those seeking employment.  The film pieces often discussed the Civil War and Franco era and addressed how to move forward. There were also films that addressed the everyday effects of the economic state and how it affects individuals and groups within society. Overall the contemporary art in Spain reflects the effects of the state of the economy and unemployment, and the questions about identity lingering from the Civil War.

Spain- The Past & Present

Ghosts of Spain: Chapter 1- Secretos a Voces

 The title is so significant because it conveys precisely what is happening in Spain in regards to the civil war. It is like the elephant in the room that everyone sees, but no one addresses. The extent to which Spain buries their past is immense. I think it is doing the death of thousands citizens a dishonor, to disregard the past and the conflict between Communist and Socialist ideals that caused the events that would follow in the World War. It is a dishonor to not teach future generations about it either, while the history is unclear and subject to interpretation it should still be taught.  I was so clueless about the details of the Spanish Civil War and this chapter was none the less enlightening and disheartening. I think part of the reason they don't bring up the Spanish Civil War is because of the fear that the continuous division will threaten national unity.

What is lost when you bury history to avoid pain; isn't it necessary to address it and feel the pain, in order move forward? What emotional toll does merely "forgetting" have on Spanish citizens?


Immigration and Welfare State in Spain

The increasing number of immigration flowing into Spain that has caused the need for change in the welfare system, clearly relates to the immigration disputes in the United States. Even though often the immigrants have a higher education, they are often delegated to low paying labor-intensive jobs that native Spaniards don't or wouldn't do. I found it interesting the way Spain allocates their funds, spending above average on retirement, and little on housing and family. I was surprised how fast the immigration population grew in Spain, and would be interested to learn how that compares to Germany and other European countries. It was interesting, but not surprising that the attitude towards immigrants shifted from positive/neutral to negative following the economic crisis.

I would be interested to learn how immigrant in Spain are treated. How do immigrants contribute to unemployment rate?

National Identity

Becoming a German, What does it Mean?

This article was particularly relevant and interesting to me because it addressed the issues of minorities in European countries, in a population that is predominantly white. I think it is a common belief that in this day in age racism and prejudice have only occurred in history, but there is always inequity between white and minority. I was so surprised to learn that there are some regions in Germany where minorities genuinely fear for their safety, especially considering Germany's past. I can personally relate to being a minority, growing up as a Latina in a predominately white suburb in Vancouver, WA; I have always had to work a little harder to dispel the stereotypes strangers have towards me, whether it be as a student or merely just a member of my community.

Why does Germany discourage the acceptance of minorities, despite their history? What needs to happen for this minorities' rights movement to be successful?

The Nation Form

I was very intrigued by the claim made that nations are never the final product, they will always evolve and change. I think this statement has the power to be so profound because it leaves room for growth and it leaves hope perhaps to minorities in their oppressed countries. I had never really given thought to the question "what is a nation and how does it form?" A nation can be described as a physical boundary or a group of people that hold common beliefs. A nation's identity is produced by the projection of individual identities. This sparked questions in me about what the purpose of a nation is and the role it plays in everyday life. I found it very interesting when reading how ethnicity is defined, I find it kind of comical how in every survey that I have taken when asked my ethnicity the only two options are Hispanic and Latino OR Not Hispanic of Latino. I do think that language plays such an important role in ethnicity because it unites a group of people. If I am put into a group of people and we all have the same race and all these common factors, unless there is a common language there will be no unity.

What is the difference between a state and a nation? How do different definitions of ethnicity and race affect the ability to define a national identity?

Germany & Spain in context

Ghosts of Spain
Giles Tremlett

 This reading gave me a broad understanding of Spain's History and the deep divisions in their political system. Their presently liberal, "live in the present, and optimistic attitude came about because of their historically conservative and Franco's fascist dictatorship. I think that is attitude is rooted in their eager to forget their past. So much so in fact history is skewed and taught to cater different region's political goals. I feel like their reluctance to address their past may prevent them from moving forward as a united nation. It's interesting how Spain's reaction to historical regrets compare to Germany's.

Is their disagreement on history playing a role in their economic woes? How will reflecting on their history drive divisions within the country? Is the division between left and right still as strong as it was after the civil war?

Ghosts of Berlin
Brian Ladd

It was so interesting to discover how architecture can store such social and political history that is interpreted differently by individuals. The communist east embraced the wall as a symbol of socialism, in contrast the capitalist west resented and ignored the existence of the wall. Keeping the Berlin Wall signifies celebrating East German government, which doesn't take into account the victims of the wall and how that will continue divided Berlin. On the other hand it could serve as a memorial of their past, to ensure it will not be repeated and to inspire future generations to continually ask questions. It is all contingent on what aspects they want to forget and what they want to celebrate.

Is Berlin still somewhat separate from the rest of Germany? How much of this debate affects the general public? How does the separation of Germany to the two Berlins affect the economy?

Kotti & Co Tenant Initiative

I gained significant insight that the housing situation in Berlin is causing severe financial woes for many of its citizens. It is interesting to read how the group Kotti & Co challenged migration discrimination against immigrants in their protest of rising housing and apartment rents. They are striving to change housing policies in a way that benefits the entire Berlin population, not just private companies. I applaud their to mission to ensure that everyone in Berlin has a voice and the value they place on diversity.

Are they innovators in this field of protest? Would government involvement ease the situation?

Berlin Wall and Memorialization and Gentrification

 This article really conveys the division among Berlin in terms of their past. It illustrates the emotional debate between either tearing down or maintaining the wall. Initially when the wall was set to be demolished, the general sentiment were  of relief and happiness. However I think after time and reflection this turned into reminiscence and it inspired creativity on the wall itself.  In contrast to Ghosts of Berlin, it seems as though the common sentiment is to maintain the wall; and the demolition of the remaining pieces of the Berlin Wall has inspired a united anger towards those responsible .

Should any more of the Berlin Wall be destroyed, or should it be preserved? What is the current public sentiment about the Wall?