(After nearly eighth months the HistoryLynx is still working out how to present its "prey" and manage the blog. This is the first update since Update V on May 28th. I’ve not added any new activities here but I hope that the content and links will assist you in adapting or revising activities provided in the original posts. For those who might need them, all the linked items appear as full citations with their URLs in the RESOURCES section. Also, the Lynx would like to hear from you about HistoryLynx activities and resources that you’ve found useful in your classrooms or projects. Please use the blog’s email (historylynx@gmail.com). I look forward to hearing from you.)
This post covers the following topics:
1) Iraq's Syrian Dilemma
2) Syria's Economy under Sanctions
3) Finland and the Crisis in the Euro zone
4) A Community Empowerment Project in Kenya
5) Italy's Political and Economic Woes
UPDATE: In Syria: Six Months and Counting (September 21) I reported that the Iraqi government had joined the chorus calling for President Bashar al-Assad to resign. The spokesman who was the source of this news is now repudiating that it, claiming that he was quoted inaccurately. For a brief but nuanced exploration of what’s going on see Juan Cole’s post on Informed Comment, where he points out that this supports the view that "Iraq, of course, is being pulled in different directions over Syria by its Iranian and American allies." Cole notes that in addition to the original report (now denied) in the New York Times, it had appeared in a Kurdish source (link provided but its in Kurdish).
UPDATE: In the same post on Syria I suggested in passing that perhaps economic conditions will play a large role in the collapse of the Assad regime (if, in fact, that is what happens). In Who Will ‘Eat’ Syria (July 28th) I had pointed out that losing the loyalty of the business elite--if the economy tanked–would endanger the Assad regime. Since then it is apparent that international sanctions, especially the EU’s oil sanctions are biting much harder. This week the Syrian govt imposed rather severe import restrictions. At the same time it is facing difficulties as it tries to secure alternative markets for its oil. This is covered well by Ehsani, writing on Syria Comment, in a piece that includes several links and also republishes two recent articles from the Financial Times. Ehsani, a Syrian-American businessman, has been writing for Syria Comment since 2006 and recently, he and a colleague have taken charge of it (while Joshua Landis is busy writing a book). In the meantime, at the UN Security Council efforts to draft wider-based sanctions "bumped along an old rut" (as Neil MacFarquhar puts it) in which the major obstacles are the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) and the sanctions were dropped from the resolution.
UPDATE: The European debt crisis is now in the news every day and having a major impact on stock markert swings in the US and most other markets. In Finland: The Mouse That Roared (May 4th) I highlighted the potential of Finnish politics and public opinion to nix a pending bailout for Portugal. Finland and the Euro crisis were also included in Update V. In the meantime, the travails of the euro zone crisis have intensified, requiring a much larger bailout fund (that is, by most accounts, still too small). For weeks the focus has been on Greece, and to a somewhat lesser extent on Italy and Spain. In the Finnish Parliament on Wednesday (September 28th) the Finns voted to approve changes to the bailout in a measure ensuring that the Finns would ante-up their share if a bailout client defaults (actually doubling their liability). The Finns, however, are still insisting on some form of collateral. The New York Times article reporting this vote puts it into a larger perspective and mentions other proposal for dealing with the crisis. The Finnish vote leaves seven nations still on the ratification roster. Rumor has it that this time it will be the Slovokian mouse’s turn to roar–since many Slovaks resent being asked to helping out the wealthier Greeks. This would delay the fund’s ability to rescue Greece or any debt-endangered euro zone country. See also Simon Johnson’s Economix post, where he compares the current approach to the problem in Europe with the IMF’s economic stabilization strategy during Mexico’s 1994-95 currency crisis. Johnson is a former chief economist at the IMF.
UPDATE: Just before Mother’s Day New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof issued a plea to his readers, urging them to support organizations working to improve the lives of women and girls around the world. It did much to inspire my post, Mother’s Day–for Mothers Everywhere. In today’s column Kristof he tells us what was accomplished with the $135,000 that MothersDayMovement.org sent on to Shining Hope for Communities, a grassroots organization in Kenya. What Shining Hope is doing for people living in Kibera, one of Nairobi’s direst slums, should inspire us all. Go to their website for more about Kibera and what Shining Hope is trying to do for its people, especially its girls. And the Shining Hope story is a love story, too–don’t miss reading about it.
UPDATE: Italians are getting fed up with the soap opera being staged–daily it seems–by the Italian political elite. In Aretha Franklin and the ‘Italian Street’ (February 14th) I wrote about how protesting Italian women were challenging President Silvio Berlusconi to "respect women" and respond to their complaints. Now the Roman Catholic Church has registered its disgust with a government embroiled in scandals–while the public as a whole is becoming "increasingly intolerant of the ostentation of lifetyles that are shamelessly immoral" (Rev. Antonion Sciortino, as quoted in the New York Times). On September 15th an Italian court charged eight more people were the crime of supplying Berlusconi and his cronies with prostitutes–expecting in return jobs, contracts, or other favors. The next day Parliament approved an austerity package that included both higher taxes and large spending cuts. Angry Italians protested in the streets. Father Sciortino, who has criticized the government’s failure to support programs designed to assist families in need, will need to continue speaking out.
RESOURCES
Syria
Cole, Juan. "Iraq Denies Calling for Syrian President’s Resignation." Informed Comment (September 22, 2011): http://www.juancole.com/2011/09/iraq-enies-calling-for-syrian-presidents-resignation.html
Ehsani. "Syria Faces a New Economic Reality." Syria Comment (September 26, 2011): http://www.joshualandis.com/blog/?p=12233
Krauss, Clifford and Neil MacFarquhar. "Feeling Pinch of Europe’s Oil Embargo, Syria Urgently Seeks New Customers." New York Times (September 27, 2011): http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/28/world/middleeast/europes-oil-embargo-forces-syria-to-urgently-seek-new-customers.html?scp=1&sq=clifford%20krauss%20syria&st=cse
MacFarquhar, Neil. "Disagreements at U.N. Stall Sanctions on Syria." New York Times (September 28, 2011): http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/29/world/middleeast/disagreements-at-un-stall-sanctions-on-syria.html?scp=4&sq=syria&st=cse
Schmidt, Michael S. and Yasir Ghazi. "Iraq Calls for Change of Syrian Regime." New York Times (September 20, 2011): http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/21/world/middleeast/iraq-tells-bashar-al-assad-of-syria-to-step-down.html?ref=todayspaper
Finland and the European Debt Crisis
Ewing, jack and Stephen Castle. "Europe’s Bailout Fund Advances in Finland." New York Times (September 29, 2011): http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/29/business/global/expanded-euro-bailout-fund-clears-hurdle.html?ref=todayspaper
"Parliament Passed nearly EUR 14 Billion in Loan Guarantees." Helsingin Sanomat (September 29, 2011): http://www.hs.fi/english/article/Parliament+passed+nearly+EUR+14+billion+in+loan+guarantees/1135269593661
Johnson, Simon. "What Would It Take to Save Europe?" Economix: New York Times (September 29, 2011): http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/09/29/what-would-it-take-to-save-europe/
Kibera Project
Kristof, Nicholas. "Just Look at What You Did!" New York Times (September 28, 2011): http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/29/opinion/kristof-just-look-at-what-you-did.html?src=ISMR_AP_LO_MST_FB
Shining Hope for Communities: www.shininghopeforcommunities.org
Italy
"Eight Charged for Supplying Berlusconi with Escorts." AFP on Google (September 15, 2011):
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5guaoR2JM30-cyEnzotCz4-93edpQ?docId=CNG.e1465939d455269e644b03f32cb36848.01
D’Emilio, Frances. "Italy Gives Final Approval to Austerity Plan." BusinessWeek (September 16, 2011): http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9POPIR00.htm
Povoledo, Elisabetta. "Quiet for Years, Italian Church Blasts Behavior of the Nation’s Poltical Elite." New York Times (September 28, 2011): http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/29/world/europe/italian-church-criticizes-licentious-conduct-of-the-elites.html?ref=todayspaper
Showing posts with label Italy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Italy. Show all posts
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Update: Week II (2011)
First, a clarification about sources: names in bold are web sites (e.g. BBC News) while those in italics or underlined are in print (or I’m using the print version). Material from many print sources, however, is available online, including articles in major newspapers. For example, you can always search the New York Times web site (http://www.nytimes.com/), using the byline and key words from the headline (though NYT print and online headlines are not always identical).
Please look for an addition to the format: some posts now have notes, with citations and/or comments that do not fit easily into the main text. Look for these either BEFORE or AFTER the lists of resources. Find notes for this Update at the end. (In the future I’ll try to be more consistent about this.)
Black History Month
Two recent posts link current events to Black History Month themes. These exemplify the kind of links that the Lynx finds most intriguing–the unexpected ones. Check-out the following posts:
The Serbs drew inspiration from the ideas of an American, Gene Sharp, whose book From Dicatatorship to Democracy, is available online–in 25 languages, including English, Arabic, and Farsi--courtesy of the Albert Einstein Institution (2). This raises the question of whose ideas influenced Sharp. I intend to pursue this, but it is very likely that he consulted the works of Gandhi and Martin Luther King. Intellectual history is just so convoluted!
More on Aretha Franklin’s legacy: Cairo disk jockey Mohammed Safi, who was protesting in Tahrir, has returned to work at Nile FM, an English-language radio station. He told a reporter that the first disk on his playlist would be the Egyptian national anthem. After that, a roster of tunes–and definitely "Respect" by Aretha Franklin (3).
Journalists
Yesterday’s news about the sexual assault and beating of Lara Logan, while reporting from Tahrir Square on Friday, serves as another reminder of the risks of "frontline reporting" (Feb 11 post). The attack occurred after Mubarak’s resignation had been conveyed to the crowd. On a previous trip to cover the uprising, Egyptian authorities had detained and interrogated her–but she came back (4). For more information go to the web site of the Committee to Protect Journalists (http://ww.cpj.org). Ms. Logan is a member of the CPJ board.
Egypt and the Mideast
Reporters David Kirkpatrick and David Sanger have written an excellent piece giving us detailed information about the strategies of Tunisian and Egyptian activists, their collaboration, and the role of social media (5). They begin with the founding of the April 6 Youth Movement in 2005. Moreover, these reporters write from a balanced point of view concerning the role of the military and the Muslim Brotherhood. Since the article follows the Egyptian uprising from its inception on January 25 to its moment of triumph in Tahrir Square on February 11, you can assign it as an overview. It is self-contained enough to serve as a stand-alone reading assignment–even for students who know little about what has happened. For students more engaged with events in Egypt and the Mideast, it will help to pull together what they have learned from other sources.
The Lynx is recommending two videos of special interest to students:
Another valuable resource, as we keep trying to understand Egypt’s revolution and transition (to what, exactly, is still uncertain) is Fouad Ajami’s "Egypt’s ‘Heroes’ With No Names’" (8). This insightful column suggests, poignantly, that "the Egyptians may give us a consoling tale of an Islamic people who rose to proclaim their fidelity to liberty, and who provide us with a reminder that tyranny is not fated for the Arabs." (Thanks to Mr. Moran of the APWH listserv for posting this item.)
Protests continue across the Arab world and in Iran, generating abundant, frequently updated sources. For a clear, concise place to start, check-out "Five Arab Countries That the "Jasmine Revolution" May Spread to Next" (9). It’s short enough to print and distribute as a hand-out. The author writes for Think Progress (http://thinkprogress.org). (Thanks to History Bobcat for this item.)
Also useful for its summaries of background information is a NYT interactive chart, "Reasons to Seethe" (10). The chart covers Tunisia, the Palestinian Territories, Lebanon, Egypt, Jordan, and Syria. It can be downloaded as a PDF.
Berlusconi’s "Soap Opera"
An Italian judge in Milan, Cristina De Censo, decided yesterday on a trial date of April 6 for President Berlusconi. He has been charged with paying a minor for sex, and more generally with abuse of office. And he will face a panel of three judges, all of them women. See the Guardian article for a picture of the Karima el-Mahroug (an alleged victim), Berlusconi’s and el-mahroug’s denials, the response of Italian Bishops, and Italian legal procedures (11). Go to this article for links to articles (2003, 2006, 2009) about Berlusconi, his government, and prior allegations of corruption.
For more about Sunday’s demonstrations and the views of working to change the position of women in Italian society, see Sabina Zaccaro, "It’s a Lot Worse than Sex Parties" (12).
Notes
1) Kirkpatrick, David D., and David E. Sanger. "A Tunisian-Egyptian Link That Shook Arab History." New York Times (2-14-11); online (2-13-2011).
2) Sharp, Gene. From Dictatorship to Democracy: A Conceptual Framework for Liberation. Originally published in 1999–for Burmese activists in Thailand. http://aeinstein.org/organizations4caf.html
3) View the NYT video "Egyptian Protester Back on the Airwaves" and listen to Safi’s playlist near the end. ASK: why do you think he chose to play these selections?
4) "CBS’s Lara Logan Attacked by Egytian Mob in Cairo." BBC News (2-15-2011). Brian Stelter, "CBS Reporter Attacked in Cairo," NYT (2-16-2011).
5) See note #1.
6) Video: "Cairo’s Facebook Flat." Produced by Rob Harris and Ed Ou. New York Times (2-8-2011). 03:06 mins. http://video.nytimes.com/video/2011/02/08/world/middleeast/1248069622796/cairo-s-facebook-flat.html?nl=multimedia&emc=focusema1
7) Video: "Egyptian Protester Back on the Airwaves." Produced by David Botti. Featuring Mohamed Safi. New York Times (2-13-2011). 04.16 minutes. http://video.nytimes.com/video/2011/02/13/world/1248069634893/egyptian-protester-back-on-the-airwaves.html?nl=multimedia&emc=focusema1
8) Fouad Ajami, "Egypt’s ‘Heroes’ With No Names.’" Wall Street Journal (2-12-11). http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704132204576136442019920256.html
9) Jilani, Zaid, "Five Arab Countries That the "Jasmine Revolution" May Spread to Next." Truthout (2-??-2011). http://www.truth-out.org/five-arab-countries-that-jasmine-revolution-may-spread-next67695
10) "Why the Arab World is Seething." New York Times (2-6-2011). Also In the print edition’s "Week in Review’ section as "Reasons to Seethe."
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/02/06/weekinreview/06marsh.html?ref=weekinreview
11) Hooper, John. "Sivio Berlusconi Sent for Trial Accused of Paying for Sex With Teenager," The Guardian (2-25-2011). http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/feb/15/silvio-berlusconi-trial-teenage-sex
12) Zaccaro, Sabina. "It’s a Lot Worse Than Sex Parties." Inter Press Service (Rome: 2-14-2011). http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=54463
Please look for an addition to the format: some posts now have notes, with citations and/or comments that do not fit easily into the main text. Look for these either BEFORE or AFTER the lists of resources. Find notes for this Update at the end. (In the future I’ll try to be more consistent about this.)
Black History Month
Two recent posts link current events to Black History Month themes. These exemplify the kind of links that the Lynx finds most intriguing–the unexpected ones. Check-out the following posts:
- Martin Luther King and Cairo (Feb 13)
- Aretha Franklin, Queen of Soul, and the ‘Italian Street’ (Feb 14)
The Serbs drew inspiration from the ideas of an American, Gene Sharp, whose book From Dicatatorship to Democracy, is available online–in 25 languages, including English, Arabic, and Farsi--courtesy of the Albert Einstein Institution (2). This raises the question of whose ideas influenced Sharp. I intend to pursue this, but it is very likely that he consulted the works of Gandhi and Martin Luther King. Intellectual history is just so convoluted!
More on Aretha Franklin’s legacy: Cairo disk jockey Mohammed Safi, who was protesting in Tahrir, has returned to work at Nile FM, an English-language radio station. He told a reporter that the first disk on his playlist would be the Egyptian national anthem. After that, a roster of tunes–and definitely "Respect" by Aretha Franklin (3).
Journalists
Yesterday’s news about the sexual assault and beating of Lara Logan, while reporting from Tahrir Square on Friday, serves as another reminder of the risks of "frontline reporting" (Feb 11 post). The attack occurred after Mubarak’s resignation had been conveyed to the crowd. On a previous trip to cover the uprising, Egyptian authorities had detained and interrogated her–but she came back (4). For more information go to the web site of the Committee to Protect Journalists (http://ww.cpj.org). Ms. Logan is a member of the CPJ board.
Egypt and the Mideast
Reporters David Kirkpatrick and David Sanger have written an excellent piece giving us detailed information about the strategies of Tunisian and Egyptian activists, their collaboration, and the role of social media (5). They begin with the founding of the April 6 Youth Movement in 2005. Moreover, these reporters write from a balanced point of view concerning the role of the military and the Muslim Brotherhood. Since the article follows the Egyptian uprising from its inception on January 25 to its moment of triumph in Tahrir Square on February 11, you can assign it as an overview. It is self-contained enough to serve as a stand-alone reading assignment–even for students who know little about what has happened. For students more engaged with events in Egypt and the Mideast, it will help to pull together what they have learned from other sources.
The Lynx is recommending two videos of special interest to students:
- "Cairo’s Facebook Flat" (posted online on February 8): NYT videographer Ed Ou lets the savvy sons and daughters of the elite explain why they are taking part, what their parents think about their participation, and how they are networking. Of particular interest to historians are their efforts to collect the testimonies of fellow protesters. Also, note that these young people were quite cognizant of what might happen to them if they failed. (See note #6.)
- "Egyptian Protester Back on the Airwaves" (mentioned above): Mohamed Safi reflects on his part in the protests but shows us that he’s happy to return to his radio job. This footage shows a very vocal six-year-old protester, perched on her father’s shoulder, that captivated him. (See note #7.)
Another valuable resource, as we keep trying to understand Egypt’s revolution and transition (to what, exactly, is still uncertain) is Fouad Ajami’s "Egypt’s ‘Heroes’ With No Names’" (8). This insightful column suggests, poignantly, that "the Egyptians may give us a consoling tale of an Islamic people who rose to proclaim their fidelity to liberty, and who provide us with a reminder that tyranny is not fated for the Arabs." (Thanks to Mr. Moran of the APWH listserv for posting this item.)
Protests continue across the Arab world and in Iran, generating abundant, frequently updated sources. For a clear, concise place to start, check-out "Five Arab Countries That the "Jasmine Revolution" May Spread to Next" (9). It’s short enough to print and distribute as a hand-out. The author writes for Think Progress (http://thinkprogress.org). (Thanks to History Bobcat for this item.)
Also useful for its summaries of background information is a NYT interactive chart, "Reasons to Seethe" (10). The chart covers Tunisia, the Palestinian Territories, Lebanon, Egypt, Jordan, and Syria. It can be downloaded as a PDF.
Berlusconi’s "Soap Opera"
An Italian judge in Milan, Cristina De Censo, decided yesterday on a trial date of April 6 for President Berlusconi. He has been charged with paying a minor for sex, and more generally with abuse of office. And he will face a panel of three judges, all of them women. See the Guardian article for a picture of the Karima el-Mahroug (an alleged victim), Berlusconi’s and el-mahroug’s denials, the response of Italian Bishops, and Italian legal procedures (11). Go to this article for links to articles (2003, 2006, 2009) about Berlusconi, his government, and prior allegations of corruption.
For more about Sunday’s demonstrations and the views of working to change the position of women in Italian society, see Sabina Zaccaro, "It’s a Lot Worse than Sex Parties" (12).
Notes
1) Kirkpatrick, David D., and David E. Sanger. "A Tunisian-Egyptian Link That Shook Arab History." New York Times (2-14-11); online (2-13-2011).
2) Sharp, Gene. From Dictatorship to Democracy: A Conceptual Framework for Liberation. Originally published in 1999–for Burmese activists in Thailand. http://aeinstein.org/organizations4caf.html
3) View the NYT video "Egyptian Protester Back on the Airwaves" and listen to Safi’s playlist near the end. ASK: why do you think he chose to play these selections?
4) "CBS’s Lara Logan Attacked by Egytian Mob in Cairo." BBC News (2-15-2011). Brian Stelter, "CBS Reporter Attacked in Cairo," NYT (2-16-2011).
5) See note #1.
6) Video: "Cairo’s Facebook Flat." Produced by Rob Harris and Ed Ou. New York Times (2-8-2011). 03:06 mins. http://video.nytimes.com/video/2011/02/08/world/middleeast/1248069622796/cairo-s-facebook-flat.html?nl=multimedia&emc=focusema1
7) Video: "Egyptian Protester Back on the Airwaves." Produced by David Botti. Featuring Mohamed Safi. New York Times (2-13-2011). 04.16 minutes. http://video.nytimes.com/video/2011/02/13/world/1248069634893/egyptian-protester-back-on-the-airwaves.html?nl=multimedia&emc=focusema1
8) Fouad Ajami, "Egypt’s ‘Heroes’ With No Names.’" Wall Street Journal (2-12-11). http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704132204576136442019920256.html
9) Jilani, Zaid, "Five Arab Countries That the "Jasmine Revolution" May Spread to Next." Truthout (2-??-2011). http://www.truth-out.org/five-arab-countries-that-jasmine-revolution-may-spread-next67695
10) "Why the Arab World is Seething." New York Times (2-6-2011). Also In the print edition’s "Week in Review’ section as "Reasons to Seethe."
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/02/06/weekinreview/06marsh.html?ref=weekinreview
11) Hooper, John. "Sivio Berlusconi Sent for Trial Accused of Paying for Sex With Teenager," The Guardian (2-25-2011). http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/feb/15/silvio-berlusconi-trial-teenage-sex
12) Zaccaro, Sabina. "It’s a Lot Worse Than Sex Parties." Inter Press Service (Rome: 2-14-2011). http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=54463
Monday, February 14, 2011
Aretha Franklin, Queen of Soul, and the ‘Italian Street’
(Yesterday’s post featured a link between the peaceful tactics of Egypt’s revolution and the non-violent message of Martin Luther King. While reading today’s NYT, the Lynx found another Black History Month tie-in to current events. DISCLOSURE: Aretha’s "Chain of Fools" album was among the few LPs I took with me to Uganda in 1969).
Last night in Los Angeles the Grammy Awards show began with tributes to Aretha Franklin, one of the greatest-ever gospel and soul singers (1). For many of us growing up in the Sixties, Aretha defined what it meant to be a "natural woman" AND a woman deserving
R-E-S-P-E-C-T. Now 68, she recently had surgery but intends to resume performing. I sure hope so because we all, but especially young women, need to draw inspiration from her strong voice.
Now let’s shift the scene from Los Angeles to the streets of Rome, where Italian women have said "Enough." Disgusted with the "unbecoming-a-president" lifestyle of President Silvio Berlusconi, Italian women and some men turned out on Sunday to express their frustration (2). In the words of Susanna Camusso, head of Confindustria (Italian General Confederation of Labor), Berlusconi has turned Italy into "an ugly television soap opera." Also speaking on the stage in Rome were a nun, Sister Eugenia Bonetti; and a center-right politician, Gianfranco Fini. Fini, who is the speaker of the lower house of Italy’s parliament, broke away from Berlusconi’s coalition last summer. The high-profile participation of Sister Bonetti and Mr. Fini means that this was not just a crowd of fanatical, radical feminists.
Berlusconi is just as clueless about what Italian women want as Mubarak was about what the Egyptian protesters wanted. In Egypt people sought to end a repressive, stagnating regime as a means of ending an era of national decline--in which Egypt’s regional power declined, the economy declined, and people's self-respect declined. In Italy too there is a sense that the government has been unresponsive–and not just to women’s issues. As Susanna Camusso puts it, a country failing to support its women’s "capacity for growth" is "a country that goes backward" (3).
Among the signs held by protesters, this one caught the NYT reporters’ eye: "We want a country that respects women." That’s where Aretha comes in. On Sunday, in the streets of Rome, protesters were dancing to her great anthem "Respect"–an anthem for all women, for all people everywhere (4). We need to keep dancing to that tune!
"Respect" was written and originally recorded by Otis Redding, but Aretha made it her own. According to Wikipedia, during the 1970s her version "came to exemplify the feminist movement" but an editor’s note tells us that this claim needs a citation. After Sunday, the song’s feminist (or womanist) legacy is not longer in doubt.
You can bring this legacy into the classroom in several subject areas. You might focus on Aretha Franklin and the larger context of the Civil Rights movement, the Sixties, Soul music, and African American and/or women’s history. In doing so, mentioning the protests in Italy to expand the topic beyond the US. This could be part of a social studies or sociology class or a reading-across-the curriculum activity in a language arts class. With more discussion of the song’s transatlantic/global influence, it would fit well in a world history or European history class.
LISTEN: Jump-start a lesson with an audio/video of "Respect" (see Resources).
VIEW: A great photo accompanies the WP article. Save it for a PowerPoint and project on screen to introduce the topic of the Italian women’s protests. Also, there are many excellent, current and vintage photos of Aretha Franklin online.
VIEW: The documentary "Aretha Franklin" at Biography.com is excellent. Its six segments follow her story from childhood to the present. Preview these and select according to themes and content suitable for your class. Since each segment is just over six minutes long, you could shown one per day, followed by a brief discussion, and still leave time for the day’s regularly scheduled work. One segment shows Martin Luther King with Aretha Franklin.
READING: Select the NYT, WP, or NPR (Reuters) article as a reading comprehension exercise–with students reading online or from print-outs. If time is a constraint, use the article to teach scanning skills by asking students to scan to find answers to specific questions (check questions against content of selected article):
Who is Aretha Franklin?
Why were women in Rome dancing to "Respect" (her 1967 hit song)?
Who is Susanna Camusso?
Why doesn’t Ms. Camusso like President Berlusconi?
Why did Sister Bonetti join the demonstration?
Why did Gianfranco Fini desert President Berlusconi?
EXPAND/RESEARCH: In AP European History, learn more about African Americans musicians, writers, and intellectuals living in Europe in the 1920s/30s and after World War II (e.g. James Baldwin). What drew them to Europe? How did they influence European culture?
EXPAND: The Arabic word for "Enough!" is "Kefaya!" It seems that people everywhere reach a point where they are just fed up. What are the equivalents in other languages? (This would be very appropriate in an ESL or foreign language class.)
SHARE: Info about the World Economic Forum report with any feminist (female or male) math teachers. This PDF includes a wealth of statistical data to study and manipulate. Also useful in sociology and global studies classes.
Notes
1) Widely reported in US media. See The Los Angeles Times: "Singing Aretha’s Praises: Jennifer Hudson" (2-14-2011). http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2011/02/aretha-franklin-jennifer-hudson
2) Based on Donadio/Povoledo article, NYT (2-13-2011).
3) As quoted in Donadio/Povoledo article.
4) Also reported by The Washington Post and The Associated Press (as posted on the NPR site).
Resources: The Protests
Donadio, Rachel and Elisabetta Povoledo. "Italians Protest Over Berlusconi Scandals." NYT (2-14-11). Article with link to TT: Aretha Franklin.
D’Emilio, Frances. "Women Denounce Berlusconi." Washington Post (2-13-11).
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/feb/13/women-denounce-berlusconi [if this doen’t work, search WP’s "World" section]
"Italian Women Protest Against Silvio Berlusconi." Associated Press (2-13-1011). NPR
http://www.npr.org/2011/02/13/133732293/italian-women-protest-against-silvio-berlusconi
Alberici, Emma. "Italian Women Protest Over Berlusconi Sex Scandal." ABC [Australian Broadcasting Corporation] News (2-14-2011). Article is transcript of audio available here (listen to voices of Ms. Camusso and Sister Bonetti)–or view video shown on ABC News TV.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/02/14/3137665.htm?site=news
Makenzie, James "Berlusconi Refuses to Resign, Dismisses Protest.’ Reuters (2-14-2011). Yahoo! News. http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110214/wl/nm/us_italy_berlusconi
Resources: Aretha Franklin
Aretha Franklin http://www.aretha-franklin.com/bio.htm
"The Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin." Short biography at aretha-franklin.com. Scroll down past the "Strawberry Fields" trailer to find it.
"Aretha Franklin." Biography (cable network). A documentary in 6parts (each just over 6 minutes long). http://www.biography.com/articles/Aretha-Franklin-9301157
"Aretha Franklin." Wikipedia. This article includes citations and links throughout–as well as a list of worthwhile external links. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aretha_Franklin
"Respect." Wikipedia. Detailed information about the song, its original version, Otis Redding’s reaction to Aretha’s hit, its chart history, and covers by various artists. The covers included one by a Basque fusion-rock band, not too surprising–given the Basque struggle for autonomy and respect. Access from "Aretha Franklin" article.
"Aretha Franklin--Respect Lyrics." These lyrics are correct–with TCB at end of line that is sometimes misquoted. For the meaning of TCB see Wikpedia article. http://www.lyrics007.com/Aretha%20Franklin%20Lyrics/Respect%20Lyrics.html
To listen to "Respect" (02:24):
http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/f/aretha_franklin/index.html
NPR. http://www.npr.org/ Search "Aretha Franklin NPR" to access several NPR stories.
Bego, Mark. Aretha Franklin, The Queen Of Soul. St. Martin’s Press, 1989.
Salvatore, Nick, Singing in a Strange Land: C. L. Franklin, the Black Church, and the Transformation of America. New York: Little Brown, 2005.
Resources: Berlusconi and Women in Italy
Donadio, Rachel. "Surreal: A Soap Opera Starring Berlusconi." NYT (1-22-2011). This "news analysis" appeared in the Sunday Week in Review section. About half of it discusses why Berlusconi is still in power (with a reference back to late Roman times).
Donadio, Rachel. "Prosecuters Seek Immediate Trial for Berlusconi." NYT (2-9-2011).
Donadio, Rachel. "Under Threat, Berlusconi Enlists His Media Empire." NYT (2-11-2011).
Times Topics: Silvio Berlusconi (Access to the Donadio articles and much more.) http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/b/silvio_berlusconi/index.html
NYT Room for Debate. "Decadence and Democracy in Italy" (January 26, 2011).
http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2011/01/26/decadence-and-democracy-in-italy?ref=europe
Corporate Gender Gap Report 2010: Part 2: Country Reports. World Economic Forum. Countries are listed on page 3 but page numbers are those of the printed report and do not correspond to the PDF page numbers. So slide down to find any country (arranged alphabetically). http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_GenderGap_CountryProfiles_2010.pdf
Last night in Los Angeles the Grammy Awards show began with tributes to Aretha Franklin, one of the greatest-ever gospel and soul singers (1). For many of us growing up in the Sixties, Aretha defined what it meant to be a "natural woman" AND a woman deserving
R-E-S-P-E-C-T. Now 68, she recently had surgery but intends to resume performing. I sure hope so because we all, but especially young women, need to draw inspiration from her strong voice.
Now let’s shift the scene from Los Angeles to the streets of Rome, where Italian women have said "Enough." Disgusted with the "unbecoming-a-president" lifestyle of President Silvio Berlusconi, Italian women and some men turned out on Sunday to express their frustration (2). In the words of Susanna Camusso, head of Confindustria (Italian General Confederation of Labor), Berlusconi has turned Italy into "an ugly television soap opera." Also speaking on the stage in Rome were a nun, Sister Eugenia Bonetti; and a center-right politician, Gianfranco Fini. Fini, who is the speaker of the lower house of Italy’s parliament, broke away from Berlusconi’s coalition last summer. The high-profile participation of Sister Bonetti and Mr. Fini means that this was not just a crowd of fanatical, radical feminists.
Berlusconi is just as clueless about what Italian women want as Mubarak was about what the Egyptian protesters wanted. In Egypt people sought to end a repressive, stagnating regime as a means of ending an era of national decline--in which Egypt’s regional power declined, the economy declined, and people's self-respect declined. In Italy too there is a sense that the government has been unresponsive–and not just to women’s issues. As Susanna Camusso puts it, a country failing to support its women’s "capacity for growth" is "a country that goes backward" (3).
Among the signs held by protesters, this one caught the NYT reporters’ eye: "We want a country that respects women." That’s where Aretha comes in. On Sunday, in the streets of Rome, protesters were dancing to her great anthem "Respect"–an anthem for all women, for all people everywhere (4). We need to keep dancing to that tune!
"Respect" was written and originally recorded by Otis Redding, but Aretha made it her own. According to Wikipedia, during the 1970s her version "came to exemplify the feminist movement" but an editor’s note tells us that this claim needs a citation. After Sunday, the song’s feminist (or womanist) legacy is not longer in doubt.
You can bring this legacy into the classroom in several subject areas. You might focus on Aretha Franklin and the larger context of the Civil Rights movement, the Sixties, Soul music, and African American and/or women’s history. In doing so, mentioning the protests in Italy to expand the topic beyond the US. This could be part of a social studies or sociology class or a reading-across-the curriculum activity in a language arts class. With more discussion of the song’s transatlantic/global influence, it would fit well in a world history or European history class.
LISTEN: Jump-start a lesson with an audio/video of "Respect" (see Resources).
VIEW: A great photo accompanies the WP article. Save it for a PowerPoint and project on screen to introduce the topic of the Italian women’s protests. Also, there are many excellent, current and vintage photos of Aretha Franklin online.
VIEW: The documentary "Aretha Franklin" at Biography.com is excellent. Its six segments follow her story from childhood to the present. Preview these and select according to themes and content suitable for your class. Since each segment is just over six minutes long, you could shown one per day, followed by a brief discussion, and still leave time for the day’s regularly scheduled work. One segment shows Martin Luther King with Aretha Franklin.
READING: Select the NYT, WP, or NPR (Reuters) article as a reading comprehension exercise–with students reading online or from print-outs. If time is a constraint, use the article to teach scanning skills by asking students to scan to find answers to specific questions (check questions against content of selected article):
Why were women in Rome dancing to "Respect" (her 1967 hit song)?
Who is Susanna Camusso?
Why doesn’t Ms. Camusso like President Berlusconi?
Why did Sister Bonetti join the demonstration?
Why did Gianfranco Fini desert President Berlusconi?
EXPAND/RESEARCH: In AP European History, learn more about African Americans musicians, writers, and intellectuals living in Europe in the 1920s/30s and after World War II (e.g. James Baldwin). What drew them to Europe? How did they influence European culture?
EXPAND: The Arabic word for "Enough!" is "Kefaya!" It seems that people everywhere reach a point where they are just fed up. What are the equivalents in other languages? (This would be very appropriate in an ESL or foreign language class.)
SHARE: Info about the World Economic Forum report with any feminist (female or male) math teachers. This PDF includes a wealth of statistical data to study and manipulate. Also useful in sociology and global studies classes.
Notes
1) Widely reported in US media. See The Los Angeles Times: "Singing Aretha’s Praises: Jennifer Hudson" (2-14-2011). http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2011/02/aretha-franklin-jennifer-hudson
2) Based on Donadio/Povoledo article, NYT (2-13-2011).
3) As quoted in Donadio/Povoledo article.
4) Also reported by The Washington Post and The Associated Press (as posted on the NPR site).
Resources: The Protests
Donadio, Rachel and Elisabetta Povoledo. "Italians Protest Over Berlusconi Scandals." NYT (2-14-11). Article with link to TT: Aretha Franklin.
D’Emilio, Frances. "Women Denounce Berlusconi." Washington Post (2-13-11).
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/feb/13/women-denounce-berlusconi [if this doen’t work, search WP’s "World" section]
"Italian Women Protest Against Silvio Berlusconi." Associated Press (2-13-1011). NPR
http://www.npr.org/2011/02/13/133732293/italian-women-protest-against-silvio-berlusconi
Alberici, Emma. "Italian Women Protest Over Berlusconi Sex Scandal." ABC [Australian Broadcasting Corporation] News (2-14-2011). Article is transcript of audio available here (listen to voices of Ms. Camusso and Sister Bonetti)–or view video shown on ABC News TV.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/02/14/3137665.htm?site=news
Makenzie, James "Berlusconi Refuses to Resign, Dismisses Protest.’ Reuters (2-14-2011). Yahoo! News. http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110214/wl/nm/us_italy_berlusconi
Resources: Aretha Franklin
Aretha Franklin http://www.aretha-franklin.com/bio.htm
"The Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin." Short biography at aretha-franklin.com. Scroll down past the "Strawberry Fields" trailer to find it.
"Aretha Franklin." Biography (cable network). A documentary in 6parts (each just over 6 minutes long). http://www.biography.com/articles/Aretha-Franklin-9301157
"Aretha Franklin." Wikipedia. This article includes citations and links throughout–as well as a list of worthwhile external links. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aretha_Franklin
"Respect." Wikipedia. Detailed information about the song, its original version, Otis Redding’s reaction to Aretha’s hit, its chart history, and covers by various artists. The covers included one by a Basque fusion-rock band, not too surprising–given the Basque struggle for autonomy and respect. Access from "Aretha Franklin" article.
"Aretha Franklin--Respect Lyrics." These lyrics are correct–with TCB at end of line that is sometimes misquoted. For the meaning of TCB see Wikpedia article. http://www.lyrics007.com/Aretha%20Franklin%20Lyrics/Respect%20Lyrics.html
To listen to "Respect" (02:24):
- On MySpace (from first page of Google results–if search "Aretha Franklin") or go directly to http://ilike.myspacecdn.com/play#Aretha+Franklin:Respect:13658:s292462.9352605.14367593.0.1.15%2Cstd_1fe89b7722d1f492ab92e0ec3cf87f2f
- YouTube (song plus photos; 03:02): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UYcjDlSdnw
http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/f/aretha_franklin/index.html
NPR. http://www.npr.org/ Search "Aretha Franklin NPR" to access several NPR stories.
Bego, Mark. Aretha Franklin, The Queen Of Soul. St. Martin’s Press, 1989.
Salvatore, Nick, Singing in a Strange Land: C. L. Franklin, the Black Church, and the Transformation of America. New York: Little Brown, 2005.
Resources: Berlusconi and Women in Italy
Donadio, Rachel. "Surreal: A Soap Opera Starring Berlusconi." NYT (1-22-2011). This "news analysis" appeared in the Sunday Week in Review section. About half of it discusses why Berlusconi is still in power (with a reference back to late Roman times).
Donadio, Rachel. "Prosecuters Seek Immediate Trial for Berlusconi." NYT (2-9-2011).
Donadio, Rachel. "Under Threat, Berlusconi Enlists His Media Empire." NYT (2-11-2011).
Times Topics: Silvio Berlusconi (Access to the Donadio articles and much more.) http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/b/silvio_berlusconi/index.html
NYT Room for Debate. "Decadence and Democracy in Italy" (January 26, 2011).
http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2011/01/26/decadence-and-democracy-in-italy?ref=europe
Corporate Gender Gap Report 2010: Part 2: Country Reports. World Economic Forum. Countries are listed on page 3 but page numbers are those of the printed report and do not correspond to the PDF page numbers. So slide down to find any country (arranged alphabetically). http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_GenderGap_CountryProfiles_2010.pdf
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