Throughout time, issues among one’s own occupancy, and that of a global standpoint have occurred, reoccurred, and in some instances, have never been resolved. All resolutions in history are the result of like-minded individuals, who as a whole, come together in support of an activist vision towards an issue in which passion is brought forth to. In many unfortunate circumstances, the lack of an uprising or citizen support, due to the absence of local, state, or even global knowledge, has prevented many issues to go unsolved. As mass media grows, one must question the morality of the hierarchy that controls what one is able to be shown. For example, the issues of human rights crimes that take place in continental Africa, whether in war, or due to government scare tactics, have occurred for hundreds of years on end. While further examining this issue, it is hard to believe the lack of knowledge and support that is given to educating, as well as ending human rights crimes, such as child soldiering, rape as a tool in war, and mass genocides.
With many activist organizations such as, the Enough Project and Invisible Children set up in order to help better inform, along with update individuals on current African news, one must question the true global concern, as well as American concern in order to inform and end the human rights violations occurring in Africa through mass media. In the case of the Enough Project, the slogan is, “The project to end genocide and crimes against humanity.” While intentions like these help bring education to this subject, it is civil rights movements in which controls all change to occur. Examples supporting this statement include the most prominent civil rights movements in American history, including, the Civil Rights Movement, Affirmative Action, the Women’s Rights Movement, and the Mexican American Civil Rights Movement . As one examines each case listed above, a common theme can be seen through all, the word “movement.” The definition of movement portrays the activities or actions of a body of persons with a common ideology. This represents, as well as supports, the manner in which issues among debate can be resolved, or bring about resolution through the acts of people with a common idea or goal. History has proven through a movement of people, change can occur. Knowing this, it is helpful in the way at which we tackle the issue of human rights crimes occurring in Africa. The framework of steps is clearly laid out; with all that is needed is the support of activists and citizens to employ the awareness and concern for the fight of liberation for the land that children, men, and women of Africa call their home.
With many not knowing the extent of the crimes against humanity, background information on this subject is necessary to inform and educate, while also relaying the message of support for the people of Africa. One of the most prevalent human rights crimes can be seen through the use of child soldiering in war. According to the Child Solider International, a child solider is a child associated with an armed force or armed group referring to any person below 18 years of age who is, or who has been, recruited or used by an armed force or armed group in any capacity, including but not limited to children, boys and girls, used as fighters, cooks, porters, spies or for sexual purposes. It does not only refer to a child who is taking, or has taken, a direct part in hostilities. While child soldiering can be seen in many other parts of the world, an estimated 300,000 child soldiers, some as young as seven, are currently fighting in more than 41 countries, with more than 120,000 children coming from Africa (http://www.un.org/ecosocdev/geninfo/afrec/vol15no3/153chil2.htm). Although these numbers are a rough estimate, it is truly impossible to give an exact number from a global figure. This is due to reasons consisting of concealment of children from outside observers, combat in inaccessible war zones, the recruitment methods, both formally and informally, the fluctuation of children from group to group, and the death of children during war, making up the largest portion of the reasons. In the words of the United Nations, child recruitments can offer, “Children [that] are cheap, expendable and easier to condition into fearless killing and unthinking obedience.” In the case of Sierra Leone born, Ishmael Beah, a child soldier turned civilian, the process and personal account of child solider to civilian is gruesomely followed in his personal memoir, A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Solider. Through the story, one learns first-hand the unthinkable brutality of life as a child solider, along with Ishmael’s rehabilitation process through the work of UNICEF, a global humanitarian relief organization that provides children with relief work through fundraising, advocacy, and education. In one account of the story, Ishmael Beah says, “ ….” Throughout Ishmeal Beah’s memoir, a vivid realization of life for a child soldier is painted through the vivid descriptions of a childhood filled with death and violence. With the ages of most child soldiers varying between ages as low as nine to seventeen years of age. With many viewing the child solider population as predominantly male, many females make up the population as well, with roles including anything from sexual fulfillments to combat fighting. While many children are forced into the military, others join in means of survival. With most parts of Africa still remaining unstable today, economic, social, community, as well as family instability, are driving forces that drive the voluntary enlistment of children. Factors among these help in the role government stability can play in the recruitment and voluntary enlistment of child soldiers. Through understanding the implications that need to be provided for a stable, non-dictatorial government, we as a people movement can enforce the steps in which can help mend the instability of the African countries most affected by government insecurity. If a democracy style government is implicated and practiced, one that allows for the government to be run by the people, with the supreme power remaining vested in the people and exercised directly by them or by their elected agents under a free electoral system.
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1.) Does your partner's essay identify a problem and offer a possible solution to the problem? What is the problem? What is the solution offered? If you are having trouble understanding the problem or solution, how might your partner clarify their position? not exactly clear. i want to hear a specific problem. it just seems very vague and too broad. you need to find one thing to focus on and stick with that.
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3.) Does your partner identify their own angle of vision, or a persona that they advocate from? Is there anything your partner could do to help clarify their angle of vision? like i said in the comment above, i was to hear more about you, along with what the people in all these orgs think about as well.
4.) Does the essay employ rhetorical appeals (logos, ethos, pathos, kairos) in a way that you feel is appropriate for the argument? Is there any advice you have to offer of ways to improve the rhetorical appeal of their argument? yes you give good pathos when talking about the children. it makes me feel terrible for them, im automatically on your side. when you have pictures it will be even better. you told me about your cousin and his org and the book he wrote about this topic so that could be used as your ethos.
5.) Does the essay use multiple modes (video, images, audio, text), and do they help frame or support the argument? If so, how so? If not, how might your partner resolve this for you as a reader? not yet, but i know when you have more later.
6.) Does your partner's essay use hyperlinks as citations, and do they work correctly? yes the one you have so far works correctly.