There’s a part of me—sometimes small, sometimes large—that positively
loves documentaries. Solar Mamas definitely put me in the large love
category. Seeing what so many women go through in the eastern countries (and comparing
that to those in the west) was remarkably eye-opening. The way Rafea and her family
had to live in Jordan, their entire village unemployed, makes me feel awful
about myself. The next time I want to complain about something in my apartment I’m
going to stop myself, think about this film and how Rafea and her family lived
in a tent.
The global inequality between us in the United States and
Rafea in Jordan is unbelievable. What’s even more ridiculous is that we rarely
think about how hard life is in those countries. Most likely, the majority of
American citizens are unaware of the lives Jordanians lead—or even Kenyans or
Colombians. In this documentary we got to see women trying (and succeeding) to
prove themselves to their families, their villages, their countries. These women
wanted so badly to gain an education and make something of themselves. And here
we are, skipping classes and complaining about doing homework. It makes me feel
really sad how often we take things for granted here in the US.
http://jeffiscool.com/pictures/Foxtrot/foxtrot_homework.JPG
This comic is a very accurate depiction of most American
high school, middle school, and college students. To us, learning and going to
school becomes a bit of a burden. During elementary school, we’re usually
excited to go to school. But after many years of doing so day after day, we get
sick of it. We get annoyed with our teachers, impatient with our homework, and
tired of being cooped up for eight hours a day. Once we get to high school, we
only like school because we get to see our friends every day. Is this how Rafea
felt? Nope. Sure, she was happy to see her friends, but that’s not the sole
reason she wanted to go to school. She actually wanted to learn. And she was
even learning in a totally different language. Can you imagine us going to
school and learning everything brand new in a language we didn't know? We certainly
wouldn't take it as easily as Rafea and her friends did. When Rafea was
struggling, she laughed. If only we all had such a positive outlook on life and
learning like Rafea.
I enjoyed reading your blog! I had many of the same thoughts while watching that documentary. We take so many thing for granted and don't even realize how other people have it. If it weren't for documentaries like this one we wouldn't have as much knowledge about how those other countries live. I'm glad we are able to learn and become more grateful for things we have.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy the way that you organize and present your thoughts in your blog. I agree with the fact that most people in the United States are ignorant and don't recognize how well off we are. We take many of the things that we have for granted and it's really unfortunate.
ReplyDeleteThe video really shows how societies tend to focus on themselves. We often joke about 'first world problems'... but in reality its very true. Other countries and people are worried about getting any education at all or how they will find clean water and we are worried about the scratch on our 4th Iphone. It quickly puts things into perspective.
ReplyDeleteI really like how you mentioned how in the US we take things like education for granted, and may even consider them a burden. However, in the video it showed how much this woman was willing to give up just so she could get that education a provide a better life for herself, her children, and her community. I think a lot of things in our society are taken for granted.
ReplyDeleteI agree with everything you said! We had many of the same thoughts! Americans take so many things for granted and we give ourselves a bad reputation because of it! People need to be exposed to things like this to see how east we really have it. Even with homework and 8 am classes, at least we have roofed placed to live with clothes, food, and water. Jeez..
ReplyDeleteIt's great that this documentary was able to influence you in such a way. We Americans really do take too much for granted when it comes to our education. People don't appreciate the benefits we have living in this country and how hard other people who lives in less developed places have it.
ReplyDeleteI loved ready your blog I feel the same way the documentary was a real eye opener and it is crazy how much us as Americans take pretty much everything for granted. great job!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great blog! I loved your comic it was a funny representation of us! Me personally I am a huge documentary nut, I love them. Didn't it just make you sick the way Rafea's husband treated her? I know that's the way it is for their culture but the way he said yes, then changed his mind and blamed it on her for getting the information wrong. it's just sad. I will do my best not to complain on how hard these last few weeks are of school when work to Rafea and those women in Kenya, Jordan and other countries would die for the opportunity.
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