Journal of Reading on Anthropology - Paper Example

Week 8

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This weeks readings were quite illuminating. Lubans book provides readers with a special understanding of the warring activities during the twenty-first century. For example, the author mentions that during many of his experiences as a soldier, the amount of pain and suffering experienced by innocent civilians was unbearable. However, people are still made to believe that these wars are supposed to bring peace in such regions. Hence, he points out that more can be done by the intervening countries by establishing policies and goals, which have better implications.

The second reading helps one understand the extensive impacts of the world war in countries such as Yugoslavia. After the war had obliterated the country, people were fighting against themselves based on their ethnic backgrounds. Politicians, on the other hand, were feeding the public fantasies, which they said, could only be achieved if groups such as communists were eliminated. This led to many xenophobic acts in Yugoslavia that were baseless.

Bergs book on the Anthropology of Europe also makes the reader aware of the conflict that existed between European countries during the twentieth century. For example, the book covers the slave activities of Europeans especially in Africa. The demand for raw materials and cheap labour from Africa forced Europe into conflict. It took European countries time to come to an agreement. However, after the Berlin conference, the colonies were divided up among the member countries.

The fourth reading provides one with an understanding of the activities that took place during the era of genocide and how the US reacted to them. As seen in the book, Germany was undertaking a nationwide extermination of Jews. The US, on the other hand, found these activities to be highly disgraceful and inhumane. Hence, it distanced itself from such behavior. For example, the US threatened to boycott the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin if Germany did not stopped its annihilation of Jews.

Week 9

The first reading from week nine was also illuminating. It presents a case, which covered multicultural issues in France. During the period when the case was being heard, France was undergoing a series of cultural transformations. During the same period, France was also making great strides in development. The case provides a situation, which illustrates how Frances journey into secularism began. Whereas some individuals affiliated with strong cultural beliefs in France were keen on exposing secularism, others found that the multicultural state in France had brought about such behavior. Hence, fighting against it would imply discrimination against some cultures.

The second reading, on the other hand, was quite puzzling. It provides a thorough analysis of different identities and cultures. However, the author finds that over the years, feminism has become more prevalent than any other cultural identity. By exploring feminism, the author emphasizes why it is important to respect cultural identities. Feminism has enabled women to fight for gender equality. Through gender equality, women have been able to acquire equal opportunities as men. However, one also finds that, over the years, some women have exploited feminism and gender equality. This has created a problem for society because as much as people are willing to allow feminism and gender equality to prevail, the two cannot be used as a way out of any problem. Hence, as much as feminism provides freedom to women, it can also be used to justify behavior, which blinds people, especially those who support feminism.