Jacqueline's Global Scholars Blog

Last night's screening of Tel Aviv on Fire and discussion facilitated by director Sameh Zoabi at the Los Angeles World Affairs Council was thought-provoking. The award-winning film, which premiered internationally at the 75th Venice International Film Festival, brings to light the plight of Isreali Arabs. Neither "entirely Palestinian in the eyes of the rest of the Arab world " nor "entirley Israeli," the movie conveys the dilemma that Palestinian filmmakers must contend with when their craft is supported with Israeli funds. This dilemma is not confined to the work of artists but reflects the situation of the community at large. Essentially, both sides - the Israelis as well as the Palestinians - want to ensure that their stories are depicted from their perspective - a task that seems nearly impossible. Yet, Zoabi approaches the topic in an outstandingly fair and light-hearted manner. Rather than emphasize the horrific and inhumane realit...

China's Ire: Protesters in Hong Kong incur the Communist Party's Wrath, T he Economist, 7/22/19; Why are there Protests in Hong Kong? All the Context You Need, BBC 7/25/2019 Reading abo ut the protests in Hong Kong this week was a bit startling. Not surprising, however, given the Chinse philosophy of filial piety which emphasizes respect of authority, was the government’ s quick response and reprimand. According to reports in The Economist on Monday, a statement on the government’s website states that the demonstrators have “seriously challenged the central government’s authority” and “insulted the country and its people.”  Having had a fairly in-depth conversation with a tour guide when I was in Hong Kong at the start of the year, I had been somewhat privy to the sentiment of “Hong Kongers” and their relationship with mainland China before reading the article. The tour guide had explained that most “Hong Kongers” were not happy about the r...

Downtown, Los Angeles I hadn’t been to Downtown L.A. for over a year, so last night’s Summer Mixer at the Chinese American Museum was a cultural event for me on several levels. As we strolled by Union Station, Queen of Angels Church, City Hall, Olvera Street, the Italian American Museum, and a plethora of unique street art, I was reminded how fortunate I am to live in a city so dynamic and diverse.  I was especially struck by the mural located along the south side of the Hollywood Freeway between the Los Angeles and Main Street overpasses. Titled, “L.A. Freeway Kids,” I discovered that it was painted by Glennal Avila in 1984 as a “celebration of children and an expression of exuberance and happiness associated with the 1984 Olympics”. The artist chose the location because of its proximity to El Pueblo Historic Park and the Children’s Museum which attracts a large number of elementary students. She also liked the numerous palm trees that line the wall as she feels they sym...

The Democratic Republic of the Congo Given my year abroad in China, my recent interest in the news has largely been focused on China-America relations. However, an article appearing today in the Middle East and Africa section of the Economist captured my attention because it describes the current situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a country located in Central Africa. I studied this area of the world during my sophomore year while reading The Heart of Darkness in English class and simultaneously writing a research paper in history class focusing on the paradox as to why the Congo - a country blessed with more natural wealth than any other place on earth - remains poverty-stricken.  As described in the Economist , Ituri - one of the “bloodiest theaters” of the second Congo war of 1998-2003 - is in danger of reliving its past. Ituri is the scene of conflict between two ethnic groups: the Hema, backed and armed by neighboring Rwanda; and the Lendu, backed and ar...

To celebrate Independence Day, my family and I visited Santa Cruz Island, the largest of the Channel Islands Biosphere Reserve. While there, we enjoyed kayaking through caves and giant kelp forests as well as hiking in the hills covered with stunning red coastal sage scrub (see photo below).  Upon returning home, I researched the Channel Islands on UNESCO’s website, a specialized agency of the UN dedicated to historical and cultural preservation. According to UNESCO, the Channel Islands Reserve “offers one of the last examples of natural mediterranean ecosystems in North American and some of the few remaining natural southern California coastal ecosystems.” The picture below also caught my eye because the red flora reminded me of Santa Cruz Island. I discovered that the photo is an image of the Coast of the Yellow Sea-Bohai Gulf of China. It was added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List yesterday (7/5/19) during the 43rd session of the World Heritage Committee because of its “g...

Having returned from a week at the Naval Academy’s Summer Seminar, I find myself reflecting upon the experience particularly in relation to my year in China. Perhaps the two words that might best be used to describe how I feel now are: “Culture Shock.” I learned so much from both experiences; yet, the truth is that they couldn’t have been more different. I now find myself attempting to make meaning for myself in terms of putting the pieces together, so-to-speak. At the Naval Academy, I essentially learned what it would be like to go to school on an active military base. In addition to physical training and waking up every day at 5 am to the screaming voices of midshipmen, I was educated about what it means to be a soldier of the United States Navy. The self-discipline, mental and physical strength, and commitment of the officers to the United States was inspiring.  On the other hand, I was taken aback by a few Naval students’ responses or questions to me when I told th...