Mike's General Comments

I enjoyed hearing the different presentations, experiences, and lessons learned from each person's project involvement. Additionally, I added my experiences at the end of class.

I also wish everyone a safe and enjoyable upcoming Independence Day weekend. Take a moment to reflect upon the sacrifices made by members of the US military that keep America safe.

Mike

POST Baghdad Burning HERE

Bagdad Burning Blog

Reflection:
Monday, January 05, 2004

We can automatically notice that Riverbend isn't too excited about the new year. With the present situation in her country, 2004 feels just like the year before, 2003. In the midst of it all, we can see how she always finds something positive to say. She is now aware that families find themselves closer together. Family togetherness during that time was viewed as a positive advantage in Riverbends eyes. Unlike new years eves before, this one was different. Riverbend describes new years 2004 similar to a family reunion. We can see in her blogs how much she cares about her family. Although she is enjoying her time with her family; she cant ignore whats going on around them. They can still feel the blast that shook the whole area. Situations like that one make Riverbend aware of her reality. The reality that her country faces isn't changed with the arrival of a new year.

Mike Vinson's--Baghdad Burning Blog

Baghdad Burning Blog For Friday, April 30, 2004, “Those Pictures…”

Description: Riverbend described the mental anguish she experienced while the American military occupied Iraq. She felt that her fellow imprisoned Iraqi citizens had been intentionally mistreated by their American captors. In the back of Riverbend’s mind, the prisoner could be a family friend, a parent, a doctor, or a total stranger that would receive their subjugator’s angry wraith and were powerless to stop them. Additionally, she revealed her inner feelings of helplessness and outrage at a scandal that involved the American military’s inhumane treatment of Iraqi prisoners at an infamous prison outside Baghdad (258).

Example: To the embarrassment of the US Government officials and American Army generals, the American news media outlet ABC (American Broadcasting Corporation) and several Arabian television stations reported on horrific treatment of Iraqi prisoners by American soldiers at the infamous Abu Ghraib Prison located in Baghdad, Iraq. Prior to the American invasion, this penal complex was used by Saddam Hussein to imprison, torture, and execute his political prisoners. After the Iraqi military forces were defeated in 2003, the Army used the Abu Ghraib top-security prison to imprison captured prisoners-of-war. American soldiers had done some of the following: starved prisoners, used military working dogs to intimate prisoners, took digital pictures of their prisoners in humiliating situations for their personal amusement, and American prison guards used “water board torture” to interrogate prisoners for American military intelligence gathering purposes. Instead of educating the American soldiers about the Geneva Convention, enforcing proper prisoner humane treatment procedures, and teaching Iraqi culture classes, the Army’s silence about the scandal, until it was announced by the press, fueled further Iraqi anger and outrage directed at the American occupation.

Reflection: Riverbend was furious when she heard about the Abu Ghraib prison scandal. Although she was quite upset, she continued to maintain her moderate views of America. Rather than calling for revenge attacks on the American forces, she documented the historical event perpetuated by their foreign military occupation. On behalf of the Iraqi prisoners, she sought to become their collective voice announcing their horrific treatment at the hands of the American captors and to increase the public’s awareness of prison’s illegal practices. When I read about the American forces’ scandal, I wondered why the Army’s chain-of-command tolerated their solders’ unethical behavior. As for President George W. Bush’s lack of actions, I perceived he condoned his troops’ actions. When I heard about the scandalous story in an ABC television news report in 2003, I felt anger and sense of powerlessness. Furthermore, I wanted those responsible officials to be held accountable for their actions. Even more so, I sought a cessation in the inhumane treatment of Iraqi prisoners. As for the American military service members in Iraq, I imagine each person worried about revenge suicide attacks by insurgents or being kidnapped by fanatical fundamentalists groups to be exploited for their religious and propaganda purposes. These reports of inhumane Iraqi inmate treatment may be used to justify retaliatory attacks upon US military installations, personnel, and sympathetic Iraqi civilians. Just because Riverbend is not able to immediately obtain justice against the American perpetrators does not mean that justice will not occur at a time in the future.

Works Cited
Riverbend. (2005). Baghdad Burning. New York, NY: The Feminist Press.

A suggestion for Reflections Exercise

If anyone has a "writer's block" with the assignment, then consider going to the Writing Center at the main campus. I use the Writing Center frequently to review and critique my assignments. The tutors offer meaningful advice or suggest new web sites that improve the quality of writing. Don't worry about paying for the service: it is already included in the course tuition you pay for.
Mike

Mike's final comments

Well, we had our last "official" class today. We have shared our views, experiences, and feelings with all on very diverse issues. As the only male student, I offered one perspective of many that builds upon the views, perspectives, and feelings of others.

Of all the classes I have taken so far at UCF, this is the first course where the teacher knew my name and took an active interest in me. With other instructors, I am a body in the classroom for the semester and have little knowledge, save for the teacher's expertise, that I learn about the facilitator.

Additionally, I did new activities that I had not previously considered such as the "Gender Busting" exercise. Getting to write the experience was exciting as well as expanding my perspectives.

I wish everyone success in their professional, social, and private pursuits

Regards,
Mike

My WISH TO MY STUDENTS-

• This is my wish to you ALLA-

In this life journey “being a woman” is defined by only you. Embrace all the aspects of your gender, mind and body. Understand that others might not follow your lead all the time but remember that you can and should lead your own life every day.

• This is my wish to you MICHAELA-

Every conversation, every decision of your day is seen through the eyes of gender.
I hope this class gave you strength, empowerment and resolution to be you and only you. Continue living life to the fullest and experimenting with motherhood. Enjoy all life can bring to you and the choices you have as an intelligent, capable and strong woman.


• This is my wish to you WANDA-

Although I know you are strong I also know you are living in two worlds every day. I hope your strength moves other Latinas to understand the beauty of loving self before loving another person. I trust this class gave you a glimpse of many other alternatives and possibilities. Use your intellect, strength and conviction in everything you do.

• This is my wish to you NICOLE-

I think your sense of pride and bravery is outstanding. Every day is a different challenge in a gender busting society. Keep your ground and stay strong. I hope you continue your journey knowing that being a woman is a complex and exciting proposition.


• This is my wish to you MIKE-

In this world of oppression and solitude your presence in class brought a ray of hope for the rest of men out there. I hope the readings and the discussion made you more aware of how complicated and beautiful is to be a woman. My wish for you is to live by example as a feminist.

• This is my wish to you DEANDRA-

I hope you explore life to its fullest potential. Discover other stories and realities in our society. All the experiences you started in this class can continue out of the classroom. Enjoy being a young, strong and intelligent women, who can think and decide by herself.