I recently accepted a position at Liberty in North Korea (LiNK), where I will spend 3 months on the road with an awesome team to educated Americans about the North Korean crisis! I'm super excited & also super nervous. We will be living out of a van and crashing on peoples' floors, couches, or extra beds for a whopping 10 weeks. Yes, I might be crazy, but it is going to be quite an adventure :)
I leave for training at the LiNK headquarters in Torrance, CA (just south of LA) on August 30th, and will be on the road shortly after that! Woah. That's pretty soon :)
And a request...
Since graduation from Cal Lutheran, I have been searching for a job that incorporates my three majors of political science, international studies, and German, as well as my passion for social justice. During my senior year, I was introduced to an international crisis that caught my attention, the North Korean crisis. I was originally researching North Korean nuclear proliferation, and came across the issue of the North Korean refugees.
Not only does the North Korean government limit free speech, assembly, press, and religion, but wrong doers and wrong thinkers are also punished in ways we could never imagine, sometimes even with death. There is also a large amount of people who are malnourished because the government barely rations enough food to keep people alive. This situation is worsened when the North Koreans try to flee their country in search of food and/or freedom, but are not welcomed in neighboring countries and are often killed in the process of making a better life for themselves and their families.
This fall, I have decided to intern with Liberty in North Korea (LiNK). On August 30th, I will be moving into a house with all of LiNK’s interns. After a few weeks of training, we will all head out on the road as Nomads to show a film called “Hiding” at various locations around the country to educate people about the North Korean crisis. We will be on the road for 10 weeks.
LiNK is a non-profit and all of the interns are volunteers, so I will not be getting paid. I still have to pay for my food, toiletries, outings, and other bills during my three month adventure. This is why I am writing to you: to ask for your help in making this trip a possibility. I know money is tight for everyone right now, but every little bit helps. If you are unable to help monetarily, that is okay—just keep me in your thoughts and prayers as I travel around the country. If you would like to donate, please make your check payable to LiNK and send it to:
LiNK
1751 Torrance Blvd, Suite L
Torrance, CA 90501
Please be sure to write my full name on the memo line so they can deposit it into my account. Please note that all donations are tax deductible.
Thank you very much for your support. While on the road, I will be keeping a blog at www.kelafry.blogspot.com, please feel free to follow my trip. If you would like to learn more about LiNK and the North Korean crisis, you can visit their website at www.linkglobal.org.
Thanks!
Kelley Fry
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Friday, May 7, 2010
Reflection on Citizenship & Civic Engagement
This semester, I worked with an organization called Liberty in North Korea (LiNK). In March, I went down to their headquarters in Torrance, CA to volunteer for a day. While there, I emailed and called over 100 of their donors to get their support on the Pepsi Refresh project. This got me involved with my online activism, which was promoting LiNK's cause for the Pepsi Refresh project.
They are looking to win $250,000 to open a house for North Korean refugees who are sent to the United States. Usually, they are spread out throughout the country, with over 90 refugees who basically have not way to contact one another. Instead, LiNK would like to host them in a house in Los Angeles so that they can become more assimilated in American society before they are sent off to fend for themselves. I promoted this idea through this blog and Facebook. I also sent several emails to friends and family who do not have Facebook.
My campus activism was also through LiNK. They came to campus to show a film "Inside North Korea," a National Geographic documentary. About 30 people showed up to learn about life and craziness inside the country. They also sold LiNK apparel with lovely shirts that have great political statements, such as shirts with Kim Jung Il's face, and others that say "Run DMZ" or "Legalize Adoption for children without a country," supporting LiNK's newest cause to adopt North Korean children.
My views on citizenship have not changed much from this class, but it has been very insightful, looking at what can be considered citizenship. I have always thought that it is important to be involved in the community, especially with causes that one is passionate about. I don't think that anyone HAS to participate in community organizations, but I think it helps to feel included in society.
The End. Booyah.
They are looking to win $250,000 to open a house for North Korean refugees who are sent to the United States. Usually, they are spread out throughout the country, with over 90 refugees who basically have not way to contact one another. Instead, LiNK would like to host them in a house in Los Angeles so that they can become more assimilated in American society before they are sent off to fend for themselves. I promoted this idea through this blog and Facebook. I also sent several emails to friends and family who do not have Facebook.
My campus activism was also through LiNK. They came to campus to show a film "Inside North Korea," a National Geographic documentary. About 30 people showed up to learn about life and craziness inside the country. They also sold LiNK apparel with lovely shirts that have great political statements, such as shirts with Kim Jung Il's face, and others that say "Run DMZ" or "Legalize Adoption for children without a country," supporting LiNK's newest cause to adopt North Korean children.
My views on citizenship have not changed much from this class, but it has been very insightful, looking at what can be considered citizenship. I have always thought that it is important to be involved in the community, especially with causes that one is passionate about. I don't think that anyone HAS to participate in community organizations, but I think it helps to feel included in society.
The End. Booyah.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Digital Citizenship
This IS the issue I'm working on. North Koreans do not have access to information communication technology. There has been a recent increase in the number of North Koreans who are able to access technology and information, but it is super dangerous for them to possess any form of communication with the outside world.
The internet is a great way to spread awareness about the issues that North Korea faces, but is not particularly helpful to the North Koreans themselves. TV does not really have an effect on the issue of North Korea either. North Koreans are forced to listen to and watch TV that is all propaganda about their great supreme leader, Kim Jung Il, his father, and his son. We might complain about how biased each news network is here in the US, but at least we have options, and opposing opinions. North Koreans are not even allowed (or capable of) to think about contradicting Kim Jung Il.
The internet is a great way to spread awareness about the issues that North Korea faces, but is not particularly helpful to the North Koreans themselves. TV does not really have an effect on the issue of North Korea either. North Koreans are forced to listen to and watch TV that is all propaganda about their great supreme leader, Kim Jung Il, his father, and his son. We might complain about how biased each news network is here in the US, but at least we have options, and opposing opinions. North Koreans are not even allowed (or capable of) to think about contradicting Kim Jung Il.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
UnCitizenship
Information is the most important thing on the issue of human rights in North Korea. Without anyone being informed of the issue, it is impossible for anyone to address it. The media does not even address this issue. They focus mostly on the nuclear proliferation. Granted, it seems to be a more pressing, threatening issue, but that does not mean that it is the only thing going on in North Korea. Media fragmentation is not the problem-- the media itself is the problem. They have to decide what is news-worthy and what is not, so they focus on what they think will get more attention. Nukes are much more of an audience-catcher than human rights abuses. News about these human rights abuses is hard to get out into the media because there are so few people who are able to represent their issues.
However, there is a bill that was introduced on March 25th of this year that addresses the issue of adopting children who have no country & not legal papers (see Legalize Adoption campaign through LiNK). I'm not sure where that is going, but there is still no media coverage on the issue. No one seems to care that much (except myself and a few other people). The news media probably does not think that it is entertaining enough-- there isn't usually even a mention of it on the ticker at the bottom of the screen.
There is definitely a decline in association with the organization LiNK. They have a program where they automatically charge your credit card $9 each month to donate to their "9 Lives Campaign." You don't even have to write a check each month, so you don't even have to think about it. That is all that these people do, too. When LiNK was doing well in the Pepsi Refresh project the first month (February), people were voting every day because they were excited, and LiNK was doing well. Now that they have not won for 3 months in a row, people are becoming more and more disengaged (including myself, though I hate to admit it). LiNK is in 95th place now, unlike back in February when they were in 4th, or even March when they got 12th place.
I think it is difficult to disagree that what is happening in North Korea is a bad thing. I think the controversy might come in what to do about it. There probably will not be much polarization on the issue of adopting the stateless North Korean children (though that sounds like an oxymoron, doesn't it...?). I cannot imagine any arguments that might be used against it, except maybe some sort of fear of North Korean retaliation. I can see where there would be a split in decision-making about what to do about the human rights abuses. I worry that if there is too much polarization, congress will not be able to come up with any sort of policy that will allow us to do anything about the human rights abuses, or anything else that is even remotely involved with North Korea.
However, there is a bill that was introduced on March 25th of this year that addresses the issue of adopting children who have no country & not legal papers (see Legalize Adoption campaign through LiNK). I'm not sure where that is going, but there is still no media coverage on the issue. No one seems to care that much (except myself and a few other people). The news media probably does not think that it is entertaining enough-- there isn't usually even a mention of it on the ticker at the bottom of the screen.
There is definitely a decline in association with the organization LiNK. They have a program where they automatically charge your credit card $9 each month to donate to their "9 Lives Campaign." You don't even have to write a check each month, so you don't even have to think about it. That is all that these people do, too. When LiNK was doing well in the Pepsi Refresh project the first month (February), people were voting every day because they were excited, and LiNK was doing well. Now that they have not won for 3 months in a row, people are becoming more and more disengaged (including myself, though I hate to admit it). LiNK is in 95th place now, unlike back in February when they were in 4th, or even March when they got 12th place.
I think it is difficult to disagree that what is happening in North Korea is a bad thing. I think the controversy might come in what to do about it. There probably will not be much polarization on the issue of adopting the stateless North Korean children (though that sounds like an oxymoron, doesn't it...?). I cannot imagine any arguments that might be used against it, except maybe some sort of fear of North Korean retaliation. I can see where there would be a split in decision-making about what to do about the human rights abuses. I worry that if there is too much polarization, congress will not be able to come up with any sort of policy that will allow us to do anything about the human rights abuses, or anything else that is even remotely involved with North Korea.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Citizenship & Public Spheres
I don't know that deliberation on the issue of Human Rights is the best way to go about solving the problems in North Korea. The United Nations has already laid out a plan for what should be done about human rights violations. Even better would be if the North Korean people could be deliberative themselves, so that they could decide what they wanted in their government. Unfortunately, that idea is so far fetched that it seems almost comical. The only person allowed to have any ideas is their supreme leader, Kim Jung Il, and no one is allowed to contradict what he says. Once the human rights crisis is solved, we can start talking about other forms of deliberation.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Citizenship & Deliberation
The issue of North Korea is not a well-known issue here in the United States, outside of their nuclear proliferation. There are very few experts on North Korea itself, and those who are experts are not well-heard in Washington, mostly because there are so few of them and it is not a pressing issue. Knowledge within North Korea (especially of the outside world) is non-existent, even though there have been recent increases in communication through cell phones.
I don't know that public knowledge would help on this issue, since no one really knows anything about it, and it is regarding a completely different set of people who have a different culture and don't necessarily know what they want or need.
I think applying Fung & Wright's model to this issue is extremely difficult because of the lack of information both within North Korea, and coming out of it. No one knows exactly what is going on, even though we have countless stories from refugees. No single person can know every little detail.
I don't know that public knowledge would help on this issue, since no one really knows anything about it, and it is regarding a completely different set of people who have a different culture and don't necessarily know what they want or need.
I think applying Fung & Wright's model to this issue is extremely difficult because of the lack of information both within North Korea, and coming out of it. No one knows exactly what is going on, even though we have countless stories from refugees. No single person can know every little detail.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Feminist and Critical Approaches to Citizenship
I think in general, the rights of North Koreans should be the same as any citizen of the world, however, they have not been treated with human dignity. In this case, they might need to be treated as a special, perhaps protected group of people. Differentiated citizenship would definitely include guaranteed rights to the North Koreans who escape from their country. Koreans are now being treated with a "universal" notion of citizenship-- especially in China and Russia. They are being seen as illegal immigrants and shipped back to their home country. This needs to change so that the North Koreans can be treated with respect, and as refugees instead of immigrants so that they can know that they can safely escape the country.
On another note, there are rumors coming from North Korea that they have been sending out new propaganda in support of Kim Jong-Il's son, Kim Jong-Un. They have also been having some troubles with their currency, and it is causing a bit of uprising within the country. It is uncertain how far this uprising will go. The UN Human Rights council also condemned North Korea for their torture & labor camps. Even though this is just talk, it is important for the UN to follow through on their words with actions.
On another note, there are rumors coming from North Korea that they have been sending out new propaganda in support of Kim Jong-Il's son, Kim Jong-Un. They have also been having some troubles with their currency, and it is causing a bit of uprising within the country. It is uncertain how far this uprising will go. The UN Human Rights council also condemned North Korea for their torture & labor camps. Even though this is just talk, it is important for the UN to follow through on their words with actions.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Citizenship & the Rights of Others
Totalitarianism is completely relevant to North Korea and its refugee problem. It is the issue. Kim Jung Il has been ruling with an iron fist since he took power when his father, Kim Il Sung died. This could potentially be attributed to the propaganda that is put out by the North Korean government, but it is more due to the brainwashing tactics used by the government. Some citizens of North Korea don't know that there is much more in the world than North Korea-- most of them don't even know that there has been a man on the moon!
Benhabib's article is also extremely relevant because the North Korean's need to be able to escape the country and be able to be protected elsewhere when they do. They need to be protected when they escape to China, South Korea, or elsewhere, both from repatriation and from human rights abuses from the government in which they seek refuge.
The reason that China is deporting the North Korean refugees is that they are being considered illegal immigrants. Unfortunately that means that the North Koreans have nowhere to go, except South Korea, which is virtually impossible to defect to.
Benhabib's article is also extremely relevant because the North Korean's need to be able to escape the country and be able to be protected elsewhere when they do. They need to be protected when they escape to China, South Korea, or elsewhere, both from repatriation and from human rights abuses from the government in which they seek refuge.
The reason that China is deporting the North Korean refugees is that they are being considered illegal immigrants. Unfortunately that means that the North Koreans have nowhere to go, except South Korea, which is virtually impossible to defect to.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Mulitcultural and Cosmopolitain Citizenship
North Koreans do deserve rights-- the same rights as everyone else in the world (at least the basic ones, laid out by the UN). They do not necessarily deserve to be a protected group throughout the world, they just need to be treated with dignity and respect, especially in their own country! One of the major problems that North Koreans run into when fleeing their own country is deportation back into NK. They might need to be given protections allowing them to claim refugee status, since that is what they are-- NOT illegal immigrants, as China seems to think.
Modern (or Western) ideals have been spreading quickly, especially since the end of the Cold War. These include human rights and democracy. North Korea is one of the few countries left in the world with an authoritative, Communist government. As far as purposely spreading Western ideas, there has been major resistance from the North Korean government, and not much effort on the part of any Western countries to "westernize" North Korea. There has not been much push for Western ideals in North Korea, nor has there been much attention paid to the situation at all.
The system that is in place currently is one of complete oppression of the people, just to keep them under the control of their leader, Kim Jung Il. The system is clearly working for the elites, and the people have absolutely no say, making it difficult for anything to change. Another challenge in this situation is the nuclear arsenal that North Korea has been building up for a while. They might not have perfected the delivery of these weapons, but they are dangerous none the less, making it harder for any changes to be suggested or made.
There has not been much thought given to the issue of North Korea or North Korean refugees (except maybe when President Bush included them in the "Axis of Evil"). If the problem was acknowledged, I think there would be a fair amount of consensus that something needs to be done, but the extent to which something should be done would be a major debate. If something were to be done, there would be a large amount of resistance from North Korea-- mostly the government, but also from the people. They have been forced into submission, and have been told that the North Korean way is the only, best, correct way, and that their leader, Kim Jung Il is essentially equivalent to a god.
On another note, I went down to the LiNK headquarters in Torrance with Megan this past Thursday. It was a really fun day, with some awesome experiences. We were essentially in charge of contacting their past supporters to ask them to vote for LiNK in the Pepsi Refresh project, where LiNK is in the running to win $250,000 towards the Liberty House (which is the safe house that North Koreans can stay at until they learn English & are legally allowed to move freely).
Modern (or Western) ideals have been spreading quickly, especially since the end of the Cold War. These include human rights and democracy. North Korea is one of the few countries left in the world with an authoritative, Communist government. As far as purposely spreading Western ideas, there has been major resistance from the North Korean government, and not much effort on the part of any Western countries to "westernize" North Korea. There has not been much push for Western ideals in North Korea, nor has there been much attention paid to the situation at all.
The system that is in place currently is one of complete oppression of the people, just to keep them under the control of their leader, Kim Jung Il. The system is clearly working for the elites, and the people have absolutely no say, making it difficult for anything to change. Another challenge in this situation is the nuclear arsenal that North Korea has been building up for a while. They might not have perfected the delivery of these weapons, but they are dangerous none the less, making it harder for any changes to be suggested or made.
There has not been much thought given to the issue of North Korea or North Korean refugees (except maybe when President Bush included them in the "Axis of Evil"). If the problem was acknowledged, I think there would be a fair amount of consensus that something needs to be done, but the extent to which something should be done would be a major debate. If something were to be done, there would be a large amount of resistance from North Korea-- mostly the government, but also from the people. They have been forced into submission, and have been told that the North Korean way is the only, best, correct way, and that their leader, Kim Jung Il is essentially equivalent to a god.
On another note, I went down to the LiNK headquarters in Torrance with Megan this past Thursday. It was a really fun day, with some awesome experiences. We were essentially in charge of contacting their past supporters to ask them to vote for LiNK in the Pepsi Refresh project, where LiNK is in the running to win $250,000 towards the Liberty House (which is the safe house that North Koreans can stay at until they learn English & are legally allowed to move freely).
Friday, March 12, 2010
Vote Daily for LiNK
Vote Daily for Liberty in North Korea (LiNK) to win $250,000 from Pepsi for the Liberty House!
Vote Here!
For more information about LiNK, www.linkglobal.org. You can also check them out on Facebook: LiNK: Liberty in North Korea, Liberty in North Korea Pepsi Grant
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Social Citizenship
If the United States decides to do something about the refugee crisis in North Korea, some may question why we would help a country that does not support the human rights laws of the world, and has a major disregard for any international laws, especially those about nuclear proliferation. Korean Americans might argue yes-- because they are related to those people who are being affected. Others might argue no-- because the money we spend giving aid to North Korea or its citizens could be used to help other problems back home here in America (such as homelessness, poverty, or even to reduce taxes).
Each of these arguments presents a very strong side, and on the topic of citizenship, it does not matter. Both sides are becoming more involved in the issues, and therefore are becoming better citizens. However, by helping the North Koreans, we are also indirectly helping their citizenship. If we get them food, water, and shelter, we are giving them a better quality of life with which they can begin to question their government. This is definitely a social right, but they are the basics. These people do not even have the ability to think about having liberty, and the pursuit of happiness is definitely skewed, since happiness for them is believing in their great leader, Kim Jung Il. I think it is important for those in North Korea to start by increasing their social citizenship, and then they can move on to have more civil and political citizenship (in that order).
At the same time, I think my project will be working to improve the civic and political engagement of the North Koreans. The civic would be human rights-- really to the right to be treated like a human being. They need to be given their basic rights. Political rights also need to be a major focus because of resource allocation. The North Koreans need to be given more resources, including education (that is not brainwashing), as well as open and unbiased information. This project is focusing mostly on getting the people out of North Korea, but there are many other things that can and need to be done to completely solve the issues.
The New Right Critique would argue otherwise. They would say that North Koreans need to get themselves up off the ground without the help of outsiders such as the United States giving them aid. They need to be self reliant. I have to disagree with this approach, at least on this issue because the North Korean people are not able to get up on their own. If it was a smaller, select group of people in the country, the N.R.C. would make sense. However, it is an entire country, and they will not be able to completely pick themselves up and go in an entirely different direction, at least while under the same leadership.
One question that needs to be asked is whether the goal of helping the North Koreans is to moderate the leadership (Kim Jung Il) or to get the people out of the country (safely). I think it is important to let those who want to leave out. Those who stay need to be allowed to have access to good information and to have a leader that does not force horrible ideas and ideals on them. It needs to become a more open system.
In this situation, I think both Positive and Negative liberty need to be addressed. The government of North Korea needs to back off of its citizens, especially on the education of the people (at least the biased education), but at the same time, it needs to help the people to get on their feet, feed them, and make sure that they can survive. The focus of my project is more on negative liberty, because it is important for the government to get out of these people's way as much as it is right now.
Each of these arguments presents a very strong side, and on the topic of citizenship, it does not matter. Both sides are becoming more involved in the issues, and therefore are becoming better citizens. However, by helping the North Koreans, we are also indirectly helping their citizenship. If we get them food, water, and shelter, we are giving them a better quality of life with which they can begin to question their government. This is definitely a social right, but they are the basics. These people do not even have the ability to think about having liberty, and the pursuit of happiness is definitely skewed, since happiness for them is believing in their great leader, Kim Jung Il. I think it is important for those in North Korea to start by increasing their social citizenship, and then they can move on to have more civil and political citizenship (in that order).
At the same time, I think my project will be working to improve the civic and political engagement of the North Koreans. The civic would be human rights-- really to the right to be treated like a human being. They need to be given their basic rights. Political rights also need to be a major focus because of resource allocation. The North Koreans need to be given more resources, including education (that is not brainwashing), as well as open and unbiased information. This project is focusing mostly on getting the people out of North Korea, but there are many other things that can and need to be done to completely solve the issues.
The New Right Critique would argue otherwise. They would say that North Koreans need to get themselves up off the ground without the help of outsiders such as the United States giving them aid. They need to be self reliant. I have to disagree with this approach, at least on this issue because the North Korean people are not able to get up on their own. If it was a smaller, select group of people in the country, the N.R.C. would make sense. However, it is an entire country, and they will not be able to completely pick themselves up and go in an entirely different direction, at least while under the same leadership.
One question that needs to be asked is whether the goal of helping the North Koreans is to moderate the leadership (Kim Jung Il) or to get the people out of the country (safely). I think it is important to let those who want to leave out. Those who stay need to be allowed to have access to good information and to have a leader that does not force horrible ideas and ideals on them. It needs to become a more open system.
In this situation, I think both Positive and Negative liberty need to be addressed. The government of North Korea needs to back off of its citizens, especially on the education of the people (at least the biased education), but at the same time, it needs to help the people to get on their feet, feed them, and make sure that they can survive. The focus of my project is more on negative liberty, because it is important for the government to get out of these people's way as much as it is right now.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
The Foreigner, Racial Order, and Power
My service project will include volunteering with Liberty in North Korea (LiNK) in their office in Torrance, CA. I have not been able to set up an exact date yet, however, it will be within the next month. I have been in contact with the organization, and was offered a volunteer position over this weekend, but was unable to go due to prior commitments.
Update 3/4/10:
Megan & I will be traveling down to the LiNK headquarters in Torrance, CA next Thursday, March 11th for the afternoon. They are having a month-long campaign to win a $250,000 grant from Pepsi & need volunteers to help get the word out.
Campus Activism:
Film screening on Thursday, March 18th at 7:00 PM in the Chapel. "Inside North Korea." Presented by LiNK.
Clearly, North Koreans are foreigners here in the United States. The reason that I was originally interested in this issue was because I went to the screening of "Seoul Train," which told the stories of three groups of North Korean refugees fleeing to China and all getting caught in the process. Just seeing the film inspired me to do more. I am probably more interested in this particular issue because I am passionate about international human rights, but seeing the suffering of the North Koreans alone will convince others to care about these people.
I don't believe that racial order has much to do with this issue, at least in relation to the United States. The North Koreans are being persecuted because they are from North Korea, but not because they are Asian, or because they look or act different than anyone else, but because there are political benefits for the Chinese government's relations with North Korea for repatriating the refugees, who they see as illegal immigrants. My campus activism project does not engage the racial order, because it is not an issue on this campus, in the community, or even in the country.
Power has a very important role in campus activism. Showing a film about North Korea does not necessarily directly engage the powers of the US and NK governments, but it does allow for the people (at least of CLU) to get involved. The statement "knowledge is power" can be demonstrated here because the film will inform everyone as to what life is like inside North Korea.
The US government is focusing mostly on North Korea's nuclear proliferation (clearly a more prominent threat than refugees), which makes it difficult for them to see beyond that to the suffering of the North Korean people. Sure, there is food aid going into North Korea, but it is the bare minimum, and sometimes it doesn't even make it to that. The people are suffering greatly, and food aid has been diminishing as a response from the world to North Korea's nuclear activity. It is important for the powers that be to acknowledge the growing challenges that the North Korean people face instead of just focusing on the nuclear proliferation.
Also, check out the Pepsi grant competition: Vote for LiNK to win $250,000 this month! Vote every day until March 31st!
http://www.refresheverything.com/link
Update 3/4/10:
Megan & I will be traveling down to the LiNK headquarters in Torrance, CA next Thursday, March 11th for the afternoon. They are having a month-long campaign to win a $250,000 grant from Pepsi & need volunteers to help get the word out.
Campus Activism:
Film screening on Thursday, March 18th at 7:00 PM in the Chapel. "Inside North Korea." Presented by LiNK.
Clearly, North Koreans are foreigners here in the United States. The reason that I was originally interested in this issue was because I went to the screening of "Seoul Train," which told the stories of three groups of North Korean refugees fleeing to China and all getting caught in the process. Just seeing the film inspired me to do more. I am probably more interested in this particular issue because I am passionate about international human rights, but seeing the suffering of the North Koreans alone will convince others to care about these people.
I don't believe that racial order has much to do with this issue, at least in relation to the United States. The North Koreans are being persecuted because they are from North Korea, but not because they are Asian, or because they look or act different than anyone else, but because there are political benefits for the Chinese government's relations with North Korea for repatriating the refugees, who they see as illegal immigrants. My campus activism project does not engage the racial order, because it is not an issue on this campus, in the community, or even in the country.
Power has a very important role in campus activism. Showing a film about North Korea does not necessarily directly engage the powers of the US and NK governments, but it does allow for the people (at least of CLU) to get involved. The statement "knowledge is power" can be demonstrated here because the film will inform everyone as to what life is like inside North Korea.
The US government is focusing mostly on North Korea's nuclear proliferation (clearly a more prominent threat than refugees), which makes it difficult for them to see beyond that to the suffering of the North Korean people. Sure, there is food aid going into North Korea, but it is the bare minimum, and sometimes it doesn't even make it to that. The people are suffering greatly, and food aid has been diminishing as a response from the world to North Korea's nuclear activity. It is important for the powers that be to acknowledge the growing challenges that the North Korean people face instead of just focusing on the nuclear proliferation.
Also, check out the Pepsi grant competition: Vote for LiNK to win $250,000 this month! Vote every day until March 31st!
http://www.refresheverything.com/link
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Plans for Campus Activism
CLU has seen a lot of campus activism, recently with the Prop 8 campaign last year. GSA has become more prominent on campus, and Prop 8 really helped to give it a huge leap forward. This type of activism and campaigning was very shocking for some people, especially on such a small campus. Sure, the methods that they used were not as extreme as SDS, but they were effective. They brought awareness to the issue, and they gave a very strong argument for voting "No" on Prop 8. Other groups were also present presenting a strong front for "Yes" on Prop 8 as well. The people involved were extremely passionate about the issue and brought that issue to the attention of the whole campus.
Other issues on CLU's campus, and campuses across the country have seen similar movements over the years. The activists who start the movements are always passionate and wish to share their passions with their peers. SDS used more radical forms of activism, which definitely garnered the attention of their peers. The more radical protests were effective in their own right, but are not the only way to bring attention to an issue. There are many other ways to be an activist on a college campus, including tabling for an issue, handing out fliers, screening informative films/documentaries, and holding peaceful protests or rallies. These forms of activism are probably more effective on the CLU campus than things such as taking over the administration building or (in very extreme cases) blowing up empty buildings.
North Korean refugees, and the issues associated with it (nuclear proliferation, the Korean war, and a crazy dictator), are not very well known issues. Bringing about awareness is one of the most important things that can be done for any issue, especially something sensitive that can majorly affect international relations. SDS used very shocking, radical forms of campus activism. I don't think that it would be possible to have such shocking activism for the issue of human rights in North Korea. A better way to go about it would be to promote more awareness on campus and in the community.
There are a few things that can be done to bring about on campus awareness of the issue of the poor treatment of the North Korean immigrants. Handing out fliers or tabling at the flagpole always garners attention. However, I believe that working with LiNK for this will also be very beneficial. Last semester, we brought LiNK in during the International Relations class to screen a film "Seoul Train," which directly addressed the North Korean refugees attempts to escape North Korea into China, and the failures and hardships that they faced. I believe that this helped our class and those who came just for the film to be more aware of the issue of North Korean refugees.
This might not be the most radical way to bring about awareness, but it is effective. LiNK helps to raise awareness throughout the country with the help of schools, churches, and other organizations who wish to screen the film. They also help the North Korean refugees to escape to safe houses and help them to start new lives in South Korea, the US, or elsewhere. This is made possible by donations, generally given at their film screenings. They take donations, and they also sell T-shirts, that really help to raise awareness. People always ask about special shirts that people wear, so they can take that opportunity to spread the word.
Other issues on CLU's campus, and campuses across the country have seen similar movements over the years. The activists who start the movements are always passionate and wish to share their passions with their peers. SDS used more radical forms of activism, which definitely garnered the attention of their peers. The more radical protests were effective in their own right, but are not the only way to bring attention to an issue. There are many other ways to be an activist on a college campus, including tabling for an issue, handing out fliers, screening informative films/documentaries, and holding peaceful protests or rallies. These forms of activism are probably more effective on the CLU campus than things such as taking over the administration building or (in very extreme cases) blowing up empty buildings.
North Korean refugees, and the issues associated with it (nuclear proliferation, the Korean war, and a crazy dictator), are not very well known issues. Bringing about awareness is one of the most important things that can be done for any issue, especially something sensitive that can majorly affect international relations. SDS used very shocking, radical forms of campus activism. I don't think that it would be possible to have such shocking activism for the issue of human rights in North Korea. A better way to go about it would be to promote more awareness on campus and in the community.
There are a few things that can be done to bring about on campus awareness of the issue of the poor treatment of the North Korean immigrants. Handing out fliers or tabling at the flagpole always garners attention. However, I believe that working with LiNK for this will also be very beneficial. Last semester, we brought LiNK in during the International Relations class to screen a film "Seoul Train," which directly addressed the North Korean refugees attempts to escape North Korea into China, and the failures and hardships that they faced. I believe that this helped our class and those who came just for the film to be more aware of the issue of North Korean refugees.
This might not be the most radical way to bring about awareness, but it is effective. LiNK helps to raise awareness throughout the country with the help of schools, churches, and other organizations who wish to screen the film. They also help the North Korean refugees to escape to safe houses and help them to start new lives in South Korea, the US, or elsewhere. This is made possible by donations, generally given at their film screenings. They take donations, and they also sell T-shirts, that really help to raise awareness. People always ask about special shirts that people wear, so they can take that opportunity to spread the word.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Service & Social Capital
I think the issue of the human rights of North Korean refugees is deeply affected by international social capital. It is difficult for countries to be able to trust each other, since, for the most part, countries are only looking out for themselves and their self-interests. Since North Korea is kind of a taboo country, especially on human rights as well as nuclear proliferation, it is difficult to get many countries to agree on policies regarding human rights.
Volunteering with LiNK will not only help me to understand the issue better, but it will also increase the ability of LiNK to help North Korean refugees. LiNK uses a network of safe houses and contacts to help smuggle the refugees out of North Korea and to help keep them from being deported back to North Korea by the Chinese government. It is important for the refugees to trust the workers from LiNK in order for them to escape safely.
Ignoring the problems of North Korea seems to be a norm throughout the world, however, the refugee and human rights crisis is not something that can be ignored any longer. I think more education about the crisis in North Korea will help to increase the ability of organizations like LiNK to help the people of North Korea. Increased awareness might also bring the issue to national attention, which will make the US government more likely to address the issue.
Volunteering with LiNK will not only help me to understand the issue better, but it will also increase the ability of LiNK to help North Korean refugees. LiNK uses a network of safe houses and contacts to help smuggle the refugees out of North Korea and to help keep them from being deported back to North Korea by the Chinese government. It is important for the refugees to trust the workers from LiNK in order for them to escape safely.
Ignoring the problems of North Korea seems to be a norm throughout the world, however, the refugee and human rights crisis is not something that can be ignored any longer. I think more education about the crisis in North Korea will help to increase the ability of organizations like LiNK to help the people of North Korea. Increased awareness might also bring the issue to national attention, which will make the US government more likely to address the issue.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Service Learning Experience
As I have stated in my previous post, I am extremely interested in working with the non-profit organization Liberty in North Korea (LiNK). They work with North Korean refugees who have escaped from the repressive government there. It is difficult for these refugees to flee the country because of the tight security at the borders, and if they are caught, the consequences are often life imprisonment in the equivalent of Nazi concentration camps. It is virtually impossible for refugees to cross into South Korea, so most of them flee to China. However, the Chinese government considers these refugees as illegal immigrants, and when they are caught, they are sent back to North Korea. The human rights that are being violated in this situation have really torn at me, especially since working with LiNK last semester as a part of the International Relations course.
Not only do I want to help these people as the service learning portion of this class, but I also feel that something needs to be done to help the refugees. LiNK helps the refugees get to the border, across it, and into safe-houses scattered throughout southeast Asia. I don't think that everyone is obligated to participate in service learning projects, but I do believe that if one feels passionately about an issue, they should help to bring awareness to the issue and do what they can to help resolve it. I think that I have a mixed view of citizenship. I believe that people should help out at some point in their lives as more of obligatory thing, but at the same time, no one can be forced into enjoying doing service. Since this is an issue that I care about, I will enjoy the project more, and therefore get more out of it.
Not only do I want to help these people as the service learning portion of this class, but I also feel that something needs to be done to help the refugees. LiNK helps the refugees get to the border, across it, and into safe-houses scattered throughout southeast Asia. I don't think that everyone is obligated to participate in service learning projects, but I do believe that if one feels passionately about an issue, they should help to bring awareness to the issue and do what they can to help resolve it. I think that I have a mixed view of citizenship. I believe that people should help out at some point in their lives as more of obligatory thing, but at the same time, no one can be forced into enjoying doing service. Since this is an issue that I care about, I will enjoy the project more, and therefore get more out of it.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Project Ideas
I have been thinking about what kinds of things I can do for my project. I want to focus on making sure that people who vote are informed. One of my political passions is making sure that everyone votes, and that they are voting for the right reasons. Keeping that in mind, here are some thoughts that I had:
Community Service Project: ?? (Volunteer at a polling place-- if there are elections... I need to look into this more)
Campus Activism: Voter Registration, or something involving voting/elections/etc.
Online Activism: Informed Voters (party/candidate platforms, election dates, polling places, etc)
Another one of my passions is something I discovered last semester during the International Relations course, in which I wrote policy recommendations for North Korea's nuclear proliferation. While doing this research, the North Korean refugee issue was brought to my attention through an organization called Liberty in North Korea (LiNK). I would love to do something with them that would bring more attention and awareness to the situation in North Korea:
Community Service: Volunteer with LiNK
Campus Activism: Start a local chapter of LiNK, fundraise, and/or just bring awareness about the NK refugees to campus
Online Activism: Again, something either related to LiNK, or anything to help the NK refugees/bring about awareness to the situation
Those are my two main ideas... I think I'm leaning more towards North Korea :)
Community Service Project: ?? (Volunteer at a polling place-- if there are elections... I need to look into this more)
Campus Activism: Voter Registration, or something involving voting/elections/etc.
Online Activism: Informed Voters (party/candidate platforms, election dates, polling places, etc)
Another one of my passions is something I discovered last semester during the International Relations course, in which I wrote policy recommendations for North Korea's nuclear proliferation. While doing this research, the North Korean refugee issue was brought to my attention through an organization called Liberty in North Korea (LiNK). I would love to do something with them that would bring more attention and awareness to the situation in North Korea:
Community Service: Volunteer with LiNK
Campus Activism: Start a local chapter of LiNK, fundraise, and/or just bring awareness about the NK refugees to campus
Online Activism: Again, something either related to LiNK, or anything to help the NK refugees/bring about awareness to the situation
Those are my two main ideas... I think I'm leaning more towards North Korea :)
Monday, January 25, 2010
The Beginning
Here we go! This is my lovely blog for Pols 476: Seminar in Citizenship and Civic Engagement for Spring 2010! :)
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