Democratization

"Insecurity and political values in the Arab World" by Melani Cammet, Ishac Diwan, and Irina Vartanova, deftly argues that feelings of perceived insecurity can reduce support for democracy in Arab countries. This contradicts longstanding assumptions that Islam or Arab culture makes the Arab world authoritarian.

This paper's findings are also in agreement with findings in an article by Mazaheri and Monroe that lower-middle class business owners supported mobilization against incumbent authoritarians in 2011 but opposed democratic activism when instability negatively impacted their businesses. 

Melani Cammett's current research explores development politics and social services provision, identity politics, and politics after conflict.

 The views in the article are the views of the authors and not of Taylor & Francis. 

 Melani Cammett, Ishac Diwan & Irina Vartanova (2020): Insecurity and political values in the Arab world, Democratization, DOI: 10.1080/13510347.2020.1723081. 

 Mazaheri, Nimah, and Steve L. Monroe. "No Arab Bourgeoisue, No Democracy? The Entrepreneurial Middle Class and Democratic Attitudes since the Arab Spring." Comparative Politics 50, no. 4 (2018): 523-550.

Excerpt from Rin Tin Tin: The Life and the Legend by Susan Orlean

He believed the dog was immortal. "There will always be a Rin Tin Tin," Lee Duncan said, time and time again, to reporters, to visitors, to fan magazines, to neighbors, to family, to friends. At first, this must have sounded absurd––just wishful thinking about the creature that had eased his loneliness and made him famous around the world. And yet, just as Lee believed, there has always been a Rin Tin Tin.

My Daughter Considers Her Body by Floyd Skloot

She examines her hand, fingers spread wide.
Seated, she bends over her crossed legs
to search for specks or scars and cannot hide
her awe when any mark is found. She begs
 me to look, twisting before her mirror,
at some tiny bruise on her hucklebone.
Barely awake, she studies creases her
arm developed as she slept. She has grown
entranced with blemish, begun to know
her body's facility for being flawed. She does not trust its will to grow
whole again, but may learn that too, freeing
herself to accept the body's deep thirst
for risk. Learning to touch her wounds comes first.

Aterrada

No estoy confrontando un huracán de un problema, pero estoy confrontando un problema pequeñó. Estoy aterrada al idea de alguien—más guapo, más gracioso, más genial—en particular, Garrett—viniendo al equipo del debate y causando todos los participantes a gustarle más que yo.  Es mál para tener los celos, pero es my personalidad. No quiero otra persona controllando el equipo que creí. Y no quiero este extranjero cambiar las reglas, cambiar el equipo, y robarme de la lealtad del equipo. Pragnya dijó que se sonida muy mál. Pero es que me siento.

Recibí el premio segundo a las nacionales, y me siento mál a este día. Pero estoy orgullosa de este premio al mismo tiempo. Y algunos veces, quiero gritarlo al cielo. Al todos. Pero hoy, cuándo dijélo rápido, sentí mál, porque nadie le gusta una fanfarróna. Pero me siento amenazado. Me gusta ser el tío genial, quien todos le encantan. Pienso que quiero más amor en mi vida, de personas quien no son de la familia. La gente prefiere hombres. Es la verdad. Son más graciosos, más geniales, más relajados. Las mujeres son madres, las personas quien hacer las decisiónes para la familia, formar las reglas, trabajar, trabajar, trabajar para generar niños de éxito. Pero no son geniales. Son aburridas. Mi sentimiento personal es que Hannah fue una entrenador y capitán de la personalidad “analítica.” No podía tener amigos del equipo o no la escuchaban. Es una posición difícil, y mientras les gusta a ella, yo estaba la favorita en el pasado–al menos, una persona genial. Pero ahora, estoy preocupada que otra persona será el entrenador favorito.

The Top 3 Annoying Things About Disney TV Shows

Hey guys,

Haven't posted in a while, but watching some Disney Channel clips gave me some inspiration for a post. So, here are the top 10 most annoying things (to me) about Disney Channel shows.

1. Ethnic Insensitivity--Disney would never in a million years say "Jesus" or "Oh, god" on one of their shows, so why do they think it is OK to have Ravi, an Indian kid with a terrible Indian accent on Jessie, say "Great Ganesh, I'm a human samosa!" I admit, in Hinduism, saying the name of God is not a bad thing at all--at prayers, you repeat the name of God many, many times. It is good luck if you say it. But for Disney Channel to go right out there and say that like it's a big joke, is disrespectful.

2. Lack of Reality--None of these kids are kids that I would ever know. The kids in Jessie are rich and powerful, and why the heck are they not attending a private school? The kids in ANT Farm have crazily unnatural gifts, except Chyna. I know kids in my own school who play violin, guitar, piano, and sing much better than Chyna. I don't think playing fifteen instruments or whatever makes someone a prodigy.

3. Snarkiness--I would never be friends with any of the kids on any Disney Channel Show. From a distance, Teddy, Chyna, Emma, Rocky, and Avery may look nice, but if you really imagine you saying some of the snarky things these characters say, your face will probably heat up. I know if I said any of the things that those characters say to their parents or friends, I would lose parents and friends.


Well, those are my top three annoying things about Disney Channel shows!

Srujana

Colorblind Casting: Indians and Asians

One of the things, being Indian American as well as a participant in my school's theater program, that has made a significant impact on my views are the lack of Indian-American actresses in the American media and in stage productions--onstage particularly, but also on TV and in movies. Not only that, but I have only seen one play where an Asian American played a lead role, and no musicals in which this occurred. And that's saying a lot, because I have seen at least twenty plays in my fifteen years--we have gone to at least five a year within the past three or four years. And that one time? The actress had been Indian American, and she was playing Narrator 1 in "The Brother's Grimm Spectaculathon". After that, she never got a role again, and had to stick with being stage manager.

I have a few hypothesis on why this color based casting may occur, and how directors may unconsciously color base cast.

1) Ethnic minorities are often raised to an invisible double standard. I believe that most directors do not color-base actors and actresses on purpose--but let's face it--when faced with a white kid and an Asian-American kid with equal talent auditioning for the same role--whose going to be cast? The white kid. Realistically, the Asian American would have to be twice as good as the white kid in order to stand out past him. He'd never get the part unless he really was much better.

2) Ethnic minorities don't "fit in". When casting siblings, say in "The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe", or "The Boxcar Children", the director won't put three white kids together with an Asian, or a black or Latino kid. It just doesn't "fit". The director notices this, whether being aware of his racial casting or unaware, it makes a difference ultimately in the choice.

Our next question is, is this wrong? I can see both sides of this issue. On one hand, our constitution guarantees the right to be hired and/or employed without decision on race, creed, color, gender, or disability. But some argue that in the theater, when race, gender, and ability do play a part in the result, this shouldn't matter. Many people also believe that historical realities should be preserved at all costs. But in a day when a quite a hefty number of plays and musicals are historically based in a western setting, it is difficult for ethnic minorities to get jobs in shows like these, particularly Asian-Americans.

Just my thoughts,
Srujana

Newsies in India, and Broadway

Ever heard of the musical, Newsies, starring the legendary Jeremy Jordan, soon to be replaced by the young hopeful, Corey Cott? Well, let's just say that I'm a pretty big fan. OK, a huge fan. Though I would be lying if I said I was the biggest fan. If I was the biggest fan, I would have already seen it...so you may call me hypocritical for talking like this if I haven't even seen this musical, but here's the proof.

1. NEWSIES was nominated for 8 Tonys.
2. NEWSIES won two tonys.
3. NEWSIES is inspirational.

I love Newsies because the music is awesome, I love theater, the singers are authentic (I'm completely against autotune and voice coaters, because what's the point of being a singer if they are  no good really?) and mostly because the musical and lyrics are so inspirational.

Child labor makes me really sad. I know that if you are reading this, you probably have never witnessed child labor. I haven't. In America at least. In India, where I was just a few days ago, it's everywhere. And you see it. Everywhere. In fact, I bought a paper from a newsie in India just last week. For three rupees, the equivalent of about six cents. Perhaps the same cost that the newsies back in 1899 were payed for a paper. Perhaps the old American newsies were payed less.

Indians have a strangely sensible idea of how to stop child labor, but I don't believe it actually works. Indians believe that if they ignore child laborers and do not buy their papers or products, the child laborers will not make any money, and will go to school, and the government will pay for the education. The truth is, if they can't make money, they'll starve. And I'm pretty sure that these kids would rather eat and be uneducated than be educated and hungry. And who can study on an empty stomach? I know I can't.

All in all, I think Newsies is an inspirational story. And it is applicable today. For even if perhaps child labor is diminishing in the USA, it is still growing, flourishing even, in many developing countries. Perhaps, Newsies can be an inspiration to these countries too.

Srujana

Thoughts About a Play

 

My sister is doing a great job performing in a play, "Robin Hood".  So many people come and congratulate her! I'm stage crew with some other kids. It's pretty awesome, but I haven't acted in a play in about a year, and I'm excited to get back onstage. In the fall my school is putting on "The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe". I don't really care what part I get, though I would like to be Susan or Lucy.

 I'm wondering what version of LWW my school is doing. I've looked at some. I really like when there is good historical background in plays, and one thing that bothers me about all the play versions is that very few include the whole bit about the blitz. Anyone who's read the Narnia series or watched the movies knows that the blitz plays a rather important part in the character development of all the Pevensies, particularly Edmund, since he goes without his father during the war and experiences trauma he tries to hide. This makes him irritable and annoying, but there is a reason why. Without the blitz, there isn't a whole lot of reason for the kids to be at the professor's house, and Edmund just seems like a jerk.

 One version, I think by Robinette, said that the children were "taking a trip to the countryside for a while" or something along the lines of that. What kind of parents would send their kids to a random professor's house in the country for just a weekend? Another version talked about the professor doing country visit trips for city children. This seemed a bit more feasible, but I feel like the blitz is the true background and is better for the story.

Just some musings,

Srujana

Absolutely American Girl Changes It's Meaning

OK, so I haven't posted here in a while...a long while...but it doesn't mean I can't come back! I started another blog called Srujana's Musings, but it didn't seem to get a lot of views...this blog was originally about American Girl Dolls, but I'm kind of over that. Now, this blog is about an absolute American girl--me! Srujana!

 Anyone and everyone with any thoughts on what I have to say or anything are welcome to post them on comments, with some rules of course. If you have any ideas for topics or posts for this blog, please share too!

1. We're all nice people here, I hope. Please be kind and do not put insulting remarks. Anything with swear words would be considered insulting and will be deleted immediately.

2. Please read the post before you comment.

Here are some things I thought I might tell you about myself:

•  I have played violin for eight years, and I'm good, but not great. I'm no expert, but I know a lot about music. I like it a whole lot!
• I'm Telugu, but I don't speak it.
•   I love drama/theater a lot!! 
• I like to write (that's why I'm writing this blog...???)

I hope lots of people may read this blog and be inspired to write something back. 

Thanks for reading!
Srujana

Sevick

Today, I practiced some Sevick violin exercises, and went to school. We are illustrating children's books. It's pretty fun. But Beckie was absent today. I wonder why.
Ruthie

Things You Should Know About Me-Sonali

Name-Sonali Mythri Matthews

Favorite Subject-English

State-Oregon, but I'm a Minnesota girl through and through!

School-Currently attending Daisy Harris Doll Academy for the Arts.

Hobby-Swimming and making leis.

This will be AAG's last post for a while, since we are very busy these days. I hope you don't mind and keep checking back every once in a while!
Sonali

Busy-A Haiku

These long days.
These ongoing days.
Seitz Concertos and homework.
By Ruthie

I'm Bored by Rebecca

We were going to have a beginning of spring ball with CAKE (plus we were going to have it because our student teacher is leaving), but it was canceled for some stupid reason. So now I'm bored. And Sravana is supposed to be saving up for Kaya, and she has enough money, but she doesn't keep her room clean enough so she can't buy Sonali. Apparently we dolls clutter up her room. So why should she get another one? She says. But she promised herself she would get Kaya. So she'll get her sometime. Hey, I use "so" a lot, don't I? And after Sravana get's Kaya, she'll have to get her own camera, because her doll pictures clutter up the camera. Any ideas on how not to be bored and ideas on cleaning rooms that have a ton of dolls in them? Well, I have to go. I have to practice Moment Musical on the piano.
Rebecca

My Day Yesterday

8:45-Read First Light by Rebecca Stead.
8:55-Decide I hate First Light.
11:00-Finish First Light.
11:15-Eat popcorn.
11:45-Start reading Jane Eyre.
12:00-Get obsessed with Jane Eyre.
12:15-Eat lunch while reading Jane Eyre.
12:30-Mom comes and picks you up.
12:45-Practice violin. (Carl Flesch A Major scale sequence, anyone?)
2:00-Go shopping.
3:00-Go to the violin once again.
4:00-Go to the library.
7:00-9:30-Read Koyal Dark, Mango Sweet.
9:45-Go to bed.

I'm bored. As you can tell.

Sravana

A New School Building!

Rebecca here! Okay, something is seriously wrong with our camera, so I will now just write for a while until Sravana has enough money for a new camera. Sorry I haven't posted often. It's hard being everywhere at once! We have a new school building, and everyone needs help getting unpacked into the newly-improved dorms. Also, we have a solo/ensemble competition soon, and everyone is practicing. Not to mention finals last week and tons and tons of homework. And detention. Not that I'm a bad kid or anything, but I can't help it exactly if I was chatting with Julie in Spanish and math.
Rebecca

School Program

We're having a school program! It's so exciting. We have auditions coming up. Everyone gets a part. The program is Alice in Wonderland, and I really want the part of Alice. I flipped through our last school programs, and I smiled at the memories.
Rebecca

Randomness

Somewhere...............in a little city.....

I practiced my French pavane. The picture is not mine, by the way. The piece is really pretty, but the rhythm is complicated. This is Ruthie, by the way. Sonali and I want to try to play the piece together as a duet. Sonali plays flute, for those of you that don't know.

Well, I have to go. I'm just bored. Bye!
Ruthie

KAYA CAME BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry. Not much time for pictures. Kaya is back, and I am listening to my Mp3 player. Here, she wants to write something.

Hi! I'm here! I am very happy to be back. My English is good now. I am happy to be back with all my friends and Sravana, and happy to write here.

That's what Kaya says. I hate to discredit her, though, but the English teacher helped her a lot.

No! Sonali........

Sonali and Kaya

Stuff

Here's us watching our new TV that Sravana made us. We are watching a baseball game.Here is how our TV works. We yell into the TV what we want to watch, and almost like magic, it springs up a guide of choices.
Yeah. I know. It's made out of a massager box.
And this is our TV from the front.
And please, pretty please, again please, see this post. It's one of my best. Thank you. Okay, so these are the five things Sravana wants to buy now (dream list);
1) Camera
2) Sweet Treats Table
3) Julie's School Lunchbox
4) Petal Pink Outfit
5) Nightstand and Lamp Set

The camera would go to Sravana. The sweet treats table would go in Sonali and Gwen's room (lucky big dolls!), the lunchbox would go to Neela, but the stuff inside would be stored in the big dolls room. The petal pink outfit would go to Gwen, and the nightstand and lampset would be divided. The nightstand would go to Julie, the rug to moi, Rebecca, the lamp to Ruthie, the telephone to Sonali, and the notepad to Felicity, but still, I would have to share my rug with Felicity, since we share a room. Big upset. But not really. I guess. I had to share my room with Sadie and Sophie back home.
Rebecca

150th Post Special Picture Story~Yippee!

I didn't really expect to get many gifts on Christmas Day.
Sonali really is my only friend at school, so when we gathered by the Christmas Tree by Sravana's game shelf, I sort of sat aside from the rest.
Sonali opened Julie's present-a stuffed monkey from Gladrags. She cuddled it and hugged Julie lightly, since Sonali is kind of a giant to Julie.
Suddenly, Sonali pushed forth a beautiful present wrapped in silver gift wrap covered in pastel pictures of presents, trees, starts, hats, mittens, and boots. On the top was a label with a Christmas Horn with a green ribbon that said "To: Gwen Thompson" and "From: The Gang".

I just stared at the gift for a long time. Then, Rebecca grumbled, "Well, we pitched all our money in for those things you wanted, so you might as well open it and slip your feet in."
I still stared at that silver wrapping, decked in pastel.......
AAnd my name, written neatly in black ink above the horn.
I looked at the present one more time before taking a deep breath and picking it up.
I stared at my name one last time and ran my hand over that silvery paper.
I I slowly began to take the tape off the present, when Ruthie shook her head and said "She's one of those." I laughed. Ruthie was so funny sometimes. I don't mind her much, because she's one of SSonali's good friends.
II gasped as I took off the lid of the box, to find Fiona Monari Etude shoes!
I stared. They were the perfect ebony black-I had been admiring them for weeks outside of The RRunning, Dancing, and Walking Factory
""Well? What are you waiting for? You should try them on!" Neela cried.
SSo I did.AAnd they were sooooo comfy!
""You deserved those shoes, Gwen," Sravana said softly, squeezing my shoulder lightly.
IAnd here are my shoes!TThey are a perfect ebony
They are a beautiful ebony. Shiny too. They go good with my good dress.
The next best thing next to UGG boots.

WWe all laughed and chatted as we opened the rest of the presents, and I tucked my shoes away for later. For the Winter Formal Dance.
SI came to Sonali later and asked how she planned it. All she said was "it was Chrissa's idea."

Well, I have to go. I have to help Ruthie with her 2nd position C Major exercise.
Gwen Thompson