recursal/Fanatic-Fandom huggingface dataset:
Environmental Protection in Lithuania

Lithuania has rapidly grown into one of the most environmentally-sound countries in the EU since their departure from the USSR. As of 2013, they were one of the lowest greenhouse gas emitters in the EU, and their annual average concentrations of air pollutants in urban areas didn’t exceed set limits. They were also deemed by the University of Yale as the country with the most successful forest protection and management in the world in 2012. Large-scale environmentally damaging incidents have dropped to one to two a year, and economic facilities that could damage the environment have been on the decline. Over time, the amount of pollutants in Lithuania’s waterways has dropped, with a particularly drastic drop in the mid 2000’s when they modernized and expanded their wastewater treatment facilities. As of 2012, around 97% of wastewater was being successfully cleaned to standard. An overall decrease in waterway pollutants like phosphorus and BOD7 has been reported since the mid 1990’s, but there has been no clear drop in nitrogen pollution as it primarily stems from agricultural runoff and is harder to control. Despite their success with maintaining clean waterways, they still struggle to diffuse pollution on surface water bodies.

Source: https://www.eea.europa.eu/soer/2015/countries/lithuania
Ifrah Ahmed

Ifrah Ahmed is a Somali-Irish activist against female genital mutilation (FGM). Ifrah was born in Mogadishu, Somalia in 1989 and at the age of eight, Ahmed underwent forced circumcision at the hands of a family member who was a licensed doctor.

Female genital mutilation is the ritual cutting or removal of some or all external female genitalia.

Typically carried out using a blade, FGM is conducted from days after birth to puberty and beyond. While procedures vary based on ethnic group, most of the time it involves the removal of the clitoral hood, clitoral glands, inner and outer labia as well as the closure of the vulva. After those parts are removed, an extremely small hole is left for urine and menstrual fluid. The reasoning behind this ritual is to preserve the purity of women. Practitioners believe this will help women keep their chastity and virginity. When the women are married, the hole is opened up during intercourse but because various parts of the female genitalia have been removed, the women often cannot experience any pleasure during intercourse. In addition, mortality rates for mothers are extremely high because giving birth is increasingly difficult after this procedure. There are no known health benefits.

At age 17, Ahmed escaped Somalia and was granted refugee status in Ireland. On her arrival, she underwent a mandatory wellness check where she learned FGM was a relatively unknown practice in Ireland, whereas it was such a common practice in Somalia. This compelled her to go back to school and also become the first women to publicly share her testimony about her experience with FGM.

In 2010, Ifrah Ahmed established the United Youth of Ireland, a non-governmental organization for young immigrants, and the Ifrah Foundation which is devoted to eliminating female genital mutilation. Her work in the Ifrah Foundation includes a documentary on the death of a 10-year-old girl due to complications from FGM. In addition, Ahmed was instrumental in getting FGM banned in Ireland in 2012.  Currently, Ahmed is backed by the former and current Somali minister of women and human rights in her fight for the eradication of FGM. She now works as the Gender Advisor to the Prime Minister of Somalia.
Turkey Social Justice Warrior by Alecia Perez

OSMAN KAVALA

Beginning in the 90s Osman Kavala was a member of many civil society organizations. He is a French-born Turkish citizen who has dedicated his life to cultural movement and preservation. He is a known philanthropist and civil rights activist who was active from the 90s to 2017 when he was detained by Turkish authorities. He works with groups and organizations whose goals were to provide access to artistic and cultural heritage to minority religious groups as many of these religious minorities are oppressed in Turkey.

He inherited his father's business Kavala Companies and helped establish serval Turkish publishing companies such as the İletişim Yayınları and helped publish Ana Publishing house which would create theTurkey Brittanica. He has also contributed to groups such as TEMA (Turkish Foundation for Combating Soil Erosion for Reforestation and the Protection of Natural Habitats), the Helsinki Citizens' Assembly, and the Center for Democracy and Reconciliation in Southeast Europe. He is also a board member of various institutions for the Turkish Arts as well. However, in 2017 he was arrested after being linked to the Gezi Park Protests and for attempting to overthrow the government.  He was acquitted however, he was brought on with new charges after it is alleged he was a part of a military coup that killed over 250 people. In this coup that 110,000 people, including civil servants, teachers, activists, and journalists were detained according to CNN.

His detainment and now life in prison court decision have sparked an outcry from members of the world including the European Parliament. In a statement on Monday, two leading European Parliament ministers following the decision said, "This regrettable decision by the Istanbul 13th Heavy Penal Court is in clear contempt to the rulings of the European Court on Human Rights and will surely bring about consequences in the infringement proceedings ongoing at the Council of Europe." as mentioned by CNN article in 2022. Overall Kavala has vienna leading figure in human rights movements in Turkey and many are calling for a call for freedom to protest and more social justice in the country.

https://www.cnn.com/2022/04/25/europe/turkey-osman-kavala-sentence-life-imprisonment-protests-intl/index.html
Australia's ongoing environmental crisis

While Australia is known for their natural, open scenery, and beautiful spaces, they are currently experiencing a catastrophic environmental crisis to say the least. From the start it was evident that climate change was the source of the problem, but after identifying that, it was only a matter of time to witness the many consequences that came. Natural resources such as water are currently scarce as a result of deforestation. There's numerous amounts of saline water draining onto downstreams, which inevitably contaminates water quality. This occurs due to soil’s salinity increasing when forests are cut. 7% of western Australian land is unfortunately suffering from this issue. Due to the monumental damage, recovery comes at a price of $1 billion a year.

Declines in species across Australia has been an alarming issue that has been overlooked for too long. This place is home to over 600,000 species, but a consistent decline has proven that Australia's government is failing to take concrete steps in the right direction. Since the year 2000, 7.7 million habitats of hectares of endangered species were destroyed as a result of Australia's minister neglecting to follow the recommended steps in respect to reform. International agreements were settled for a very long time, but Australia's federal government has yet to keep their promise of protecting and preserving nature. It’s evident here how we have the tools and resources to a plausible solution, but accountability towards those with high power is what lacks.

It should also not go unnoticed that European settlement was a major contributing factor to Australia’s environmental crisis. It began in 1788 when European settlement presented new landscapes, freshwater conflicts arose, and new species, which all eventually affected the way water was used in regards to food production, and population growth. All these new international agreements shaped the way domestic environmental policies violated legislation. The changes that these individuals made drastically changed the future of australia's environment, and just as badly  eventually would hold back on economic development. Because of past mistakes and historical approaches to the environment, we are now seeking new approaches to improve environmental management and policy. Despite these actions being long overdue, It feels great knowing that regions are continuously putting in effort to create positive outcomes.

### Sources

Hobday1, Alistair J. “Environmental Issues in Australia.” *Annual Reviews*, www.annualreviews.org/doi/full/10.1146/annurev-environ-012113-111451.

Ward, Michelle, et al. “Australia Faces Environmental Crisis.” *Science*, American Association for the Advancement of Science, 12 Mar. 2021, science.sciencemag.org/content/371/6534/1115.

Hobday1, Alistair J. “Environmental Issues in Australia.” *Annual Reviews*, www.annualreviews.org/doi/full/10.1146/annurev-environ-012113-111451.
Japan - Sundus Khan

Japan is a county in East Asia, an island that is located in the northwest Pacific Ocean. It is known as Japan to the English-speaking person, but it is actually called Nihon, meaning the “Land of the Rising Sun.” It has a population of 126.3 million people, and its capital is Tokyo. It’s a string of islands, and there are four main islands: Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu. Japan has a long history of colonialism, with it attempting to colonize many east Asian countries around its location.

**Landscape and Climate**

Because Japan is an island, four-fifths of the land consists of mountains, and there are many active and dormant volcanoes. One of the most famous sites in Japan is Mount Fuji, Japan’s highest mountain standing at an elevation of 12,388 feet. Its climate is very humid and subtropical, with warm/wet summers and mild winters. Japan often experiences typhoons or tropical cyclones with strong wind and rain during August-September.

**Ethnic Groups**

There is little ethnic diversity in Japan, with Japanese citizens making up 98.1% of the population. The remaining numbers are Chinese with 0.5%, Korean 0.4%, and the other 1% includes Filipino, Vietnamese, and Brazilian ethnic groups.

**Economy in Japan**

Japan has the fourth largest economy after China, the U.S, and India. This can be considered surprising to some, since Japan is only a tiny island compared to how massive the U.S, China, and India are. Manufacturing is one of the more internationally renowned features of Japan’s economy, with it being a world leader in manufacturing electronics, appliances, cars, machines and tools, etc. Japan’s financial sector is also very prominent in its economy. For example, the Tokyo Stock Exchange is one of the world’s leading financial centers.

**Japan's history of colonialism Wiki Page:** Japan's history of colonialism - Sundus Khan

Works Cited

Amadeo, Kimberly. “Japan's Economy .” *The Balance*, 18 Nov. 2020, www.thebalance.com/japan-s-economy-recession-effect-on-u-s-and-world-3306007.

Bagarino, Christine. “Where Does Japan's Name Come From?” *Culture Trip*, The Culture Trip, 6 Jan. 2018, theculturetrip.com/asia/japan/articles/where-does-japans-name-come-from/.

“Japan Destination Guide.” *Diversity Abroad*, 2019, www.diversityabroad.com/articles/travel-guide/japan.

“Japan.” *Encyclopædia Britannica*, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 1 Apr. 2021, www.britannica.com/place/Japan.

“Japan.” *Geography*, National Geographic Kids, 10 Feb. 2021, kids.nationalgeographic.com/geography/countries/article/japan.

“What Is the Weather, Climate and Geography like in Japan.” *World Travel Guide*, 20 July 2020, www.worldtravelguide.net/guides/asia/japan/weather-climate-geography/#:~:text=The%20climate%20in%20Japan%20is,wet%20summers%20and%20mild%20winters.

World Bank. "GDP, PPP (Constant 2019 International $). Accessed April 6, 2021
Mexico Decolonization by Jamar Clark

Decolonization is the process when colonies become independent of a country. In 1521, Hernan Cortes, a Spanish conquistador, defeated the Aztec empire and became a colony for Spain. By the 19th century many Mexicans wanted to be separate from Spain and create their own government that would act on their own interests such as the American independence from British rule. The want for independence from under Spanish rule, redistribution of land, and racial equality came about in 1810. A priest named Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla was known for calling a revolution on September 16, 1810 in a battle called “El Grito de Dolores” (“Cry of Dolores”). Hidalgo was then captured and killed. However, there were many people who followed him, such as José María Morelos y Pavón and Vicente Guerrero, who led armies of revolutionaries against Spanish and Royalists. But ironically, it was the Royalists who would bring up independence for Mexico. The leader of the Royalist army, Agustín de Iturbide, arranged the Plan of Iguala along with Vicente Guerrero. The Plan of Iguala stated that Mexico would become an independent constitutional monarchy, positions of the Catholic Church would be the same, and Mexicans of Spanish descent and pure Spaniards would be equals, but mixed Mexicans or pure Indians would still have fewer rights. Iturbide would defeat the Royalist forces who opposed independence. The new Spanish was forced to accept Mexico’s independence and on August 24,1821, Juan O'Donojú signed the Treaty of Córdoba which established Mexico's independence from Spain.
Australia - Juan Ayon

# **Australia**

The continent I have chosen to pursue is Australia which is 27% smaller than The United States. They have a population of approximately 25 million people. Australia being a relatively large continent, has a pleasant climate with the majority of sunshine.There is no official language in Australia but 80% of the population speaks Australian english.  People assume that Australia is an island, given that it’s surrounded by water, but considering its immense size, it technically isn't. Australia's colonization from the british came as a result of overcrowded prisons in Britain due to America refusi[ng to take in convicts from the American war of Independence.

Australia’s unemployment rate is expected to rise 10% in june amid post covid-19 pandemic, despite their containment. They came across their first recession in 30 years due to coronavirus with the economy contracted by 7% in the June quarter. Inevitably this left a million Australians unemployed. In regards to inequality, there has been an ongrowing wage gap between the wealthy and the poor over the years. This exponential spike in growth does not seem to slow down. The main factor to blame is how wealth is distributed unequally.

In 2020 Australia had gone up in flames. The enormous scale and intensity signified an undeniable new phase in our global climate crisis. It was unfortunately a catastrophic time for Australia's wildlife. Various animal cultures were lost. The fires had an immediate impact, but still challenged those species who survived. Now comes the healing and recovery. Represent as a wakeup call. Bush fires are considered to be a natural part of the country's ecosystem. 4.9 million sectors have burned as of 2019, and is only expected to get worse as climate change warms Australia.

#### References

Henwwood, Belinda. “Income and Wealth Inequality in Australia Was Rising before COVID-19.” *UNSW Newsroom*, 1 Sept. 2020, newsroom.unsw.edu.au/news/social-affairs/income-and-wealth-inequality-australia-was-rising-covid-19.

Murphy, Katharine. “Australia's Economy Was Already Weak – and the Coronavirus Pandemic Has Belted It into Recession | Katharine Murphy.” *The Guardian*, Guardian News and Media, 2 Sept. 2020, www.theguardian.com/business/2020/sep/02/australias-economy-was-already-weak-and-the-coronavirus-pandemic-has-belted-it-into-recession.
Lithuania / The Center for Equality Advancement

The Center for Equality Advancement is a Vilnius-based NGO that was founded in 2003. To quote their website, they state that their goals are to, “organize informational campaigns, [advocate], provide training courses and seminars, publish articles, manuals and other publications, carry out research, provide expertise on the themes of gender equality, diversity and human rights.” Their primary focus is on gender discrimination and the many ways it is present throughout Lithuania. Their listed ongoing projects include encouraging and promoting co-responsible parenting in which gender roles aren’t strictly enforced, strengthening community response to gender based violence, and building better support systems for disabled women. Many of their projects are funded in part by the Rights, Equality, and Citizenship Program of the EU, and occasionally feature partnerships with groups from other EU nations that are also working to combat gender discrimination.  They have contributed to multiple studies surrounding father’s ability to go on parental leave, the perception of fathers who do so, and the impact paternal parental leave could have on a child. They’ve also spoken out about the lack of representation women have in the Lithuanian government, encouraging the Lithuanian Parliament to acknowledge this issue.

http://gap.lt/en/leidiniai/vgf/
Haiti & Post-colonialism

Colonialism has affected so many people and so many countries, Haiti had its fair share with colonialism as well. From the beginning Haiti was already subject to to colonization by the Europeans. Christopher Columbus , many years ago, on his journey to find "The New World" found Haiti instead. Originally the island was named Ayiti. After Columbus discovered the land he names it La Espanola, which is Hispaniola to English speakers. Amongst his arrival he began to put the native Taino(Arawak) people to work. With the unfair treatment to the natives several of them died, either from the diseases brought from the Europeans, being overworked and exhausted, or so much more. There were around 5-7 hundred thousand natives living on the island and after Columbus there were around 29 thousand natives left. The process of decolonization is everything but short, it took years for Haiti to separate from the French rule and establish their own way of living.. The French used the island and its people to their benefit, products like timber, sugar, and coffee were taken and eventually imported. Today after about 2 centuries of being decolonized from the French, Haiti and The United States are working together and the states are Haiti's greatest trading partner and benefactor.

Makayla Lee
Haiti - Makayla Lee

Haiti can be found in the Caribbean between Cuba and Puerto Rico and its around 10,714 sq miles. Haiti is typically known for the crazy natural disaster phenomenon that has happened in the past, it has a lot of seismic activity because of where it’s located. It has a lot of valleys and islands. Haiti shares an island with the Dominican Republic called “Hispaniola'' which is only like 70 or so miles away from Miami, Florida. It also has rugged mountains too. The climate in Haiti is typically warm and humid and about 11,541,685 people live there.

The average person in Haiti lives till around 62 and most of Haiti's people are 25 years old, at least 54% of the people are 25 years old and about 4,126,200 of the people there are under the age of 15. The ethnic groups of Haiti consist of mostly the descendants of Black African Slaves and there are more women in Haiti than men. The women to men ratio of Haiti is something like 99 mean to every 100 women. I thought that the people of Haiti can speak French but like in most other countries they have their own language that most of the people are all pretty fluent in, Creole. I also found out they speak Haitian French which I assume is much like Normal French with a variation on some words.

So some of the basic history of Haiti  would be that it was first colonized by Christopher Columbus where he named it  “La Isla Española”. Haiti was technically both colonized by the Spanish and the French and even the U.S at some point. The U.S had occupied Haiti back in the 1900s for 2 decades. Haiti is also the only free republic born of a successful slave rebellion. Religion in Haiti consists of mostly catholic believers but there are also 15% Protestant believers as well.  Haiti could use help with things like establishing safe drinking water, more commerce, food, health and education.
Turkey-Enviromental Crisis

Turkey and its ongoing Environmental Crises by Alecia Perez

Turkey has had many issues concerning climate change recently. The country is placed in the middle of three bodies of water on two sides placing it in the center of a warming body of water. Placed with the fact suffers from annual earthquakes the country has also been facing warming temperatures and low amounts of precipitation. Carbon emissions have also increased significantly over the years. Today over 97% of Turkey's population is exposed to unsafe amounts of particulate matter pollution. Because of Turkey's increased industrialization, there is a massive amount of toxins released into the air causing this issue.

The impacts of ongoing climate change crisis in Turkey has severely impacted the people of the country. In 2020 alone there were several flash floods that destroyed millions worth of property. The amount of agricultural production has also decreased due to droughts and extra hot seasons where some plants cannot grow. The areas of Turkey that are known for farmland and ancient farming techniques are currently at risk for desertification if this heat continues. The amount of hydropower Turkey was once been able to produce is no longer a trustworthy source of energy and thus the country is now focusing more on solar energy. The bodies of water in Turley are the most affected because of the severe droughts and the wildlife that leave near and inside are also impacted. The fish count has decreased significantly and because of the data, it has caused the oxygen levels to drop and kill some fish.

Turkey however has created a Climate Change Action Plan 2011-2023. This plan showcases the goals of the country and what they hope to accomplish to combat the growing climate change affecting the area. For example, they are trying to increase the amount of clean energy and energy production. The government is also vying for more venerable energy and reducing greenhouse gases. There is also a Smart Grid that is in the works that will create a modern and environmentally friendly electronic system that will run throughout the country to reduce the amount of electricity each home uses for services such as heating and lighting.

Overall Turkey is focusing on limiting the number of greenhouse gases that they were once so heavily relying upon in order to preserve the ancient traditions of the people. Turkey has also begun more projects in order to combat climate change along with a large number of activists who are fighting for this cause.
Solutions/Resistance By Fatema Nushin

***Resistance- National Resistance Front of Afghanistan***

The National Resistance Front of Afghanistan (NRF), also known as the Second Resistance, is a military alliance of former Northern Alliance members and other anti-Taliban fighters who remain loyal to the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, created after the 2021 Taliban offensive, under the leadership of Afghan politician and military leader Ahmad Massoud. The group exercised de facto control over the Panjshir Valley, which is largely contiguous with Panjshir Province and, as of August 2021, was "the only region out of the Taliban's hands". The alliance constitutes the only organized resistance to the Taliban in the country and is possibly planning an anti-Taliban guerilla struggle. The resistance has called for an "inclusive government" in Afghanistan; one of their objectives is speculated to be a stake in the new Afghan government.

Historically, the Panjshir Valley served as a pocket of resistance in the past against the Soviet invasion and subsequently the Taliban’s rise in the 1990s. A little north of Kabul, its mountainous landscape provides a defensive advantage that has played a strong role in making it the epicenter of guerrilla warfare, withstanding all types of foreign interlopers that have knocked on its doors.

Today, the NRF finds itself trapped in a deja-vu moment as it grapples with the challenges of ridding Afghanistan of the Taliban once again and this time alone.
Malaysia's Environmental Crises by Evan Schilling

## Flooding

Recently Malaysia has been getting hit with a lot of floods. They are forming because most of the country having a coast and heavy rainfall. Malaysia is slowly loosing its natural barriers to prevent flooding, causing them to become more frequent. These floods are affecting both the natural areas of the country and urban areas where people live. These floods have displaced thousands and killed many.

## Deforestation

Between 1990 and 2010, Malaysia lost  8.6% of its forest cover, or around 1,920,000 hectares (4,700,000 acres). Logging and land clearing have been major contributors to Malaysia's economy. This has caused runoff to increase as there is less forested area to soak up rainwater. As trees and other vegetation soaked up a lot of water, the mass removal of trees without replacement to prevent the amount of runoff water has contributed to the increased amount of flooding in the country.

## Air Pollution

Air quality in Malaysia has been steadily declining over the years. There are many contributing factors to the air pollution such as the transboundary haze from other countries, vehicle emissions, and waste burning, petroleum production, and industrial fuel burning. Fires from the dry season are also causing concentration to rise. With the country becoming more industrialized in the recent decades, they have started to manufacture goods and with the opening of factories to do so, more carbon emissions are being pumped into the air. Global warming is also contributing as the dry season is becoming longer and dryer, causing fires to occur more frequently, allowing smoke to go into the air and pollute it.
Greater Antilles

I've decided to focus on the Greater Antilles for the 4th collective harvest on post-colonialism. I've decided to choose the Greater Antilles because it has been my region of focus for the entire semester in my geography class and I've been able to learn a lot about the past and present societal issues. I feel this is an important region to focus on for post colonialism because of how heavily affected the Greater Antilles (Jamaica, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Haiti) is by outside forces. Europe controlled the area in the 15th and 16th century. Because of their invasion, culture was changed. The majority of the population is Mulatto, meaning mixed, or have European decent. Due to the cultural blend, there are a multitude of languages spoken in the area such as French, Spanish, and English. More importantly, these areas are heavily affected by post colonialism because despite many of their fights for independence, they do not have the resources to thrive. As I read in an article called "Colonialism and neocolonialism in Jamaica" by Maurice Haughton, it referred to the region and more specifically Jamaica, as "an umbilical chord that was never severed at birth." This meaning that although Jamaica was given independence from Britain, they were never able to thrive afterwards because the economy was hurting and there was no outside help used to help flourish the economy and outside trade. It's the equivalent to a baby being born but never having its umbilical chord cut, meaning there is no real separation for growth. Jamaica has been independent for 51 years. However, they are labeled as a third world country because outside influences are still able to determine the economic flow and control what goes in or out of the Caribbean.
African Human Rights System

This program was made under the African Union, and shares a lot of similarities to other human rights branches such as the European System, with three branches that operate regionally and asses whether or not the states are complying with basic human rights standards. Admittedly as with all of what the African Union does, because of their limited influence on the member countries and the large amount of conflict that exists between and within the countries of Africa. One of the most notable successes they have had is the large improvement toward women's rights, and have increased the presence of women in politics and their opinions to political involvement. They have also added emotional rape as a violation of human rights, and have added many other forms of abuse (specifically toward women, though also to men) as human rights crimes, and have punished any that have come to the public light.

https://www.peacepalacelibrary.nl/ebooks/files/382582535.pdf
Justice Warrior - Mother of Romania - Blake Daniels

According to the article, *The First Feminist Teacher in Romania* by Mila Cherneva, Mihaela Miroiu is known as the mother of Romania. For 42 years she has shaped and inspired students' lives all while marching in protests and helping with female rights legislation. Throughout her work with feminism in Romania she has changed what that word means to people. They are no longer viewed as radicalistic, they're respected from their ideas to their political views.

Mihaela believed in models, even ones you don't agree with. The point is just to have people sticking up for their beliefs. That's just what she was and how she gained her title as the mother of Romania. She grew up in a time when it was discouraged for women to seek higher learning so she remained a teacher for 10 years. When the country changed in the early 1990’s so did she. Mihaela left her teaching positions and pursued a PhD. It was a book on feminist philosophy that sparked this desire for knowledge. Later she switched to political science to cover all bases. Even still there was a lot of headway to make. From 1994 to 1998 she taught at the university of Bucharest. Throughout this time and after she created classes such as Gender and Politics. It is said “she paved the way for two decades of students who would think about female rights and gender impact”(Cherneva, 2021 para .13).

Through her work women have found their voice in Romania. They are branching away from traditional roles such as cooking  and cleaning. They have a place in politics and academics. Through the hard work and determination from all the women of Romania things such as discriminations and pay gaps will be a thing of the past. It is inspiring when someone spends their whole life fighting for what they believe is right. It is even more inspiring when they are in the front lines.

Work Cited

“#FemaleFowardInternational: The First Feminist Teacher in Romania.” *Friedrich Naumann Foundation*, Friedrich Naumann Foundation, 14 May 2021, www.freiheit.org/east-and-southeast-europe/first-feminist-teacher-romania.
Melemaikalanimamakalapuaa McAllister

The propagation of social media has been instrumental in educating the general public in regards to the actual history and culture of Hawai'i.

One of the up-and-coming social media Hawai'ian "activists" is Melemaikalanimakalapuaa McAllister, who goes by Mele. Her primary outlet is Instagram, where she produces reels with captions that talk about Hawai'ian independence, the significance of Hula, and how Hawai'ian culture (and arguably minority cultures in general) are mistreated. The fast-paced informational style of her content makes it easy for non-Hawai'ians and Hawai'ians alike to gain a more intimate understanding of the culture.

For example, one of her "Highlights" on her page involves her explaining the meaning of her name. Melemaikalani, the first of her first names, means "song from heaven" while "Makalapuaa" means "prettiest flower in the garden" (MY NAME). She also goes on to explain that Hawai'ian names are earned and can also be gifted to a person, and can be received in a dream, vision, or from a supernatural voice (MY NAME). Some names for children were used as protection against evil spirits (MY NAME). Therefore, many native people are against outsiders using Hawai'ian names because they are so sacred (MY NAME).

Some of her reels detail the misappropriation and disrespect people express toward Hawai'ian culture, which Mele experiences firsthand herself. Hula seems to be one of the most misunderstood and appropriated aspects of the culture ("It's honestly"; MY NAME; "Sorry for posting same").

## Sources

McAllister, Melemaikalanimakalapuaa. "It's honestly only embarrassing for them #hula". *Instagram*, April 24, 2021. https://www.instagram.com/p/COEZDc1FoAj/.

McAllister, Melemaikalanimakalapuaa. *Linktree*. https://linktr.ee/melemaikalani.

McAllister, Melemaikalanimakalapuaa. "MY NAME". *Instagram*. https://www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/17999526394318001/.

McAllister, Melemaikalanimakalapuaa. "Sorry for posting same song and all that, I had work today so hoping to film new content tomorrow after work! enjoy new info". *Instagram*. https://www.instagram.com/p/CMOaIZwlz65/.
Philippines Environmental Crises by Marcy Credo

The Philippines is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change. As a country with tropical and maritime climates, the Philippines often experiences heavy rain patterns, high temperatures, and intense humidity. Due to climate change, however, the islands have experienced changes in rainfall patterns, droughts, higher sea-level rise, and scarcity of water. The Philippines is also prone to natural disasters like floods and hurricanes, even facing a cyclone as recent as April of 2022. Rising sea levels continue to be a threat for the islands as ice caps melt, a study done by Climate Central predicts 150 million people living in the area are to be submerged by 2050. Climate Central also predicts that Manila, the Philippine capital, will be underwater by 2100.

As an island nation, the Philippines heavily rely on fish products, ranking 8th as the biggest fishing nation in the world. Climate change is destroying coral reefs, leaving fish with less to feed on, and could result in either migration or death of fish. With the lack of fish and high demand, prices will go up and thousands will go hungry, more than they are already. The Philippines’ forests used to cover the islands, but are now found to be high altitude mossy forests or loggable forests that are scheduled for further degradation. Indigenous communities also have to face problems regarding deforestation.

Ancestral domains are recognized under native title, but under the Philippine law which was founded on the Regalian Doctrine (stating all natural resources in the Philippines belong to the state), ancestral lands have become subject to jurisdiction. Natural resources in the Philippines include coal, limestone, gold, copper, chromite, silver, nickel, cobalt, and many other minerals. In 1995, the Philippine Mining Code was passed, following a stampede of applications to explore and mine in the Philippines. By the end of 1997, corporations claimed the right to explore 40% percent of the country’s land, a significant portion of those lands containing forests and ancestral lands.

That same year, the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act was passed to recognize, protect, and promote indigenous communities' rights. This act suspended mining applications for six months while new procedures and structures were being put in place. But in 1998, this was challenged as a former Supreme Court Justice (associated with the mining industry) claimed the control of mineral wealth and sole ownership should go to the state. Later in 2000, the Supreme Court would recognize some indigenous ownership and control of the lands. However, even after this decision, indigenous groups’ rights would continue to be overlooked. More than 100 certifications allowing for the entering of ancestral lands and domains would be issued.
Fatema Mernissi - founder of Islamic feminism

Fatema Mernissi, born in Fez in 1940, was a renowned Moroccan sociologist and author (Fox, 2015; Rassam and Worthington). She studied at Mohammed V university and then did her postgraduate work at Sorbonne University in France and at Brandeis University for her PhD. Notably, she is commonly known as the founder of Islamic feminism due to her research and work that focused on Islamic scripture, women’s sexuality, gender roles and the struggles of women in Islam, specifically those of Moroccan society. Her academic interests were likely influenced by her childhood having grown up in a domestic harem which is a designated space in the house of a Muslim family specifically for women (ibid). Experiencing these aspects of her culture from an early age sparked an interest in Mernissi to understand the subordination of women in society.

Some of her most notable works include her dissertation and first book, *Beyond the Veil: Male-Female Dynamics in Modern Muslim Society* and *The Veil and the Male Elite (*Rassam and Worthington*).* In *Beyond the Veil*, Mernissi analyzes patriarchal society and how religious texts have not created the “silent, passive, and obedient woman”, it was the power hungry male religious figures that have maintained gender inequalities throughout time (ibid). Similarly, *The Veil and the Male Elite* examines how politicians and religious leaders have skewed Prophet Muhammad’s message of equality between the sexes. In the words of Mernissi herself: “Not only have the sacred texts always been manipulated, but manipulation of them is a structural characteristic of the practice of power in Muslim societies” (Fox, 2015).

Mernissi was a pioneer in her area of study because during the mid 20th century there were not too many women challenging the status quo in any country and even less so in more conservative societies such as Morocco. By empowering women through her own education and knowledge, Mernissi has sought to challenge men’s opinion on the autonomy and sexuality of women. Fernissi powerfully states how “If women’s rights are a problem for some modern Muslim men, it is neither because of the Quran nor the Prophet, nor the Islamic tradition, but simply because those rights conflict with the interests of a male elite” (Fox, 2015). Overall, Fernissi has enlightened women who have traditionally been silenced and encourages everyone, both men and women, to question what is “normal”.

**References**

Fox, M. (2015, December 10). Fatema Mernissi, a founder of Islamic Feminism, dies at 75. Retrieved May 08, 2021, from https://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/10/world/middleeast/fatema-mernissi-a-founder-of-islamic-feminism-dies-at-75.html

Rassam, A., & Worthington, L. (n.d.). Mernissi, Fatima. Retrieved May 7, 2021, from http://www.oxfordislamicstudies.com/article/opr/t236/e0527
Collective Harvest 3 -- Decolonization

I chose to attend a Ted Talk titled “What’s Left of you? Performance, decolonization, & self-determination” but Jules Orcullo. I selected this event because I am interested in understanding how colonization affects not only broader structures, but also our personal identities and interpersonal relationships. The event also discussed various different ways that we can decolonize art and various forms of performance, something that I, as a poet, am interested in understanding and applying. This understanding of colonialism is essential to understanding its true effect, not just the event of land being stolen, but a pervasive structure that shapes multiple aspects of our lives.

In this event, Jules Orcullo explained the ideas of decolonization (the means by which colonial structures are dismantled) and self-determination (the act of freely creating your own future). She outlines three potential ways to recognize the whiteness of our cultural imaginations while offsetting its power. The first is investing in and creating new spaces in which you are not the other. The second is placing power in the process, celebrating discoveries made rather than targets achieved. The third is positive solidarity, showing up for other people not because you have anything in common, but solely because you believe that it is just and right. These were all very interesting to me, as they all focused on ways to decenter whiteness from our performances, allowing them to flourish.

This event definitely changed my outlook on colonialism and its relationship to our personal identities. While I understand that settler colonialism and colonialism are structures and not events (pardon me if I am warping the literature terminology), I never truly understood how deep these roots ran in terms of our various forms of expression. It is reassuring, however, to know that as deep as these roots run, there are ways to dismantle them.

Link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOYE-gCdSM8
Decolonizing the Philippines

The Philippines experienced their (second) independence in 1946 as the United States withdrew from interfering politics within the country. Even though the country was now independent, American values and influence were still evident in all aspects of Filipino society, especially politically and economically. Decolonization has been a constant uphill battle due to centuries of colonialism, making the Philippines arguably the most westernized country in Asia after hundreds of years under Spanish rule, and a brief intervention from the United States. Given this much time from two different cultures and countries have injected a mix of Judaeo-Christian civilization with Hispanic influence -- albeit retaining their native languages over the years, while also becoming an English speaking country during the 20th Century.

Since 1946, there have been many political & cultural figures that preach a nationalist and decolonization attitude: bringing back the roots of the Filipino way of life. Electing politicians that support these ideals and goals have led to legislation that takes another step towards decolonizing the country, such as the "Filipino First," and "Asia for the Asians" policies. However, the country is still fighting an uphill battle with decolonization due to present crises in the Middle East, which effects a lot of the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) located in that region. The country boasts a sizable population of Muslims, which has lead to increased over-watch from Western countries due to extremist terrorist cells operating within.

To sum up the struggles still facing the country and decolonization, Soriano Fernandez (2006) noted the following:

> "Filipino intellectuals, as members of their society must always be the conscience of the people, freed from the constraints of neocolonial mindsets and be able to transcend personal and private interests for the welfare of the people. But intellectuals cannot do it alone for decolonization must also be a part of the Filipino people’s everyday struggle for national emancipation."
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Malala Yousafzai

For this assignment, I chose to write about Malal Yousafzai, a Pakistani activist fighting for girl’s education. While we are all familiar with her, recently I read an article about how Malala’s narrative was twisted in order to justify the War on Terror and criminalization of brown men, painting the Middle East as backwards and barbaric in order to justify intervention. I thought this was very interesting. As a child, I remember learning about Malala, but always through the lens of the West coming in and rescuing her, less from an actual analysis of the work she did for women’s education. Malala works hard to ensure that all girls and women, pretty much everyone but specifically those groups, have access to education, understanding that that is the building block for liberation. No matter what, she has always touted a policy of nonviolence, not wanting revenge on those who harmed her, referring to them as misled boys rather than the aggressive grown men and criminals Western media tries to portray them as. As we all know, Malala faces extreme risks with her work, with her life being put on the line as she worked to speak on women’s right to education and continue to access that education herself. It is her resilience and willingness to put herself in harm’s way, yet continue to work and persevere that inspires others, continually working to better the world around her. After leaving Pakistan, Malala has gone to Oxford and continued her education there, hoping to accomplish girl’s education for everyone. Malala is also inspiring because despite the way that the West has tried to twist her story, she has retained her agency, showing us the importance of analyzing media and taking information about her story directly from her rather than from the Western media that has an incentive to mislead us.
Zapatistas

The Zapatistas are a revolutionary group in Chiapas Mexico. They are formally known as Ejército Zapatista de Liberación Nacional with their name coming from inspiration they found in the Mexican Revolution leader Emiliano Zapata. The Zapatistas reject political labeling and instead choose to align with alter-globalization, anti-neoliberalism, and decolonization seeking indigenious natural resource control.

The Zapatista movement kicked off in 1994 when Zapatista guerilla forces and indigenious groups started an uprising in San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas. Source 2 goes on to say: "Though the signing of NAFTA is generally agreed to be the most direct catalyst for the rebellion, additional significant factors include “a combination of ecological crisis, lack of available productive land, the drying up of nonagricultural sources of income, the political and religious reorganization of indigenous communities since the 1960s, and the re-articulation of ethnic identities with emancipatory political discourses”"

*We, the men and women of the EZLN, full and free are conscious that the war that we have declared is a last resort, but also a just one. The dictators have been applying an undeclared genocidal war against our people for many years. Therefore we ask for your participation in and support of this plan that struggles for work, land housing, food, healthcare, education, independence, freedom, democracy, justice, and peace. We declare that we will not stop fighting until the basic demands of our people have been met by forming a government of our country that is free and democratic.*

—First Declaration from the Lancandon Jungle

In 2014, the Zapatistas had declaired their solidarity with the people of Palestine: "Tacho condemned Israel’s “war of extermination” against the Palestinian people in Gaza. and said the Zapatistas “embrace the [Palestinian people] today as we have before, as we always do.”" The Zapatistas view the similarities between their struggles and the struggles of the Palestinian people- victims of Neo-colonialism.

*“To the Zapatistas it looks like there’s a professional army murdering a defenseless population.”*

Source 4 continues on with: "During the recent attack on Zapatista communities, leading to the murder of the teacher Galeano, a group of prominent Palestinians sent out a message of support from the occupied territories, referring to the “nakba (catastrophe) in Chiapas.”"

https://mexiconewsdaily.com/news/zapatistas-to-extend-their-control/

1. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zapatista\_Army\_of\_National\_Liberation#:~:text=The%20Zapatista%20Army%20of%20National,the%20southernmost%20state%20of%20Mexico.
2. ↑ https://hemisphericinstitute.org/en/su10-tourism/item/879-su10-brief-historical-background-zapatista-movement.html
3. ↑ https://library.brown.edu/create/modernlatinamerica/chapters/chapter-3-mexico/primary-documents-with-accompanying-discussion-questions/document-9-first-declaration-from-the-lacandon-jungle-today-we-say-enough-is-enough-ya-basta-ezln-command-1993/
4. ↑ https://schoolsforchiapas.org/zapatista-support-bases-express-solidarity-people-palestine/
Loren Thatcher

Chi Chia-Wei is a Taiwanese LGBTQ+ civil rights activist. In Taiwan, he was the first person to come out on TV which led to him becoming a famous HIV/AIDS and gay rights activist. He attempted to get a same-sex marriage license for over thirty years which after many denials and repeals was brought to the supreme court. He eventually won, and the court ruled in 2017 that gay marriage would be legalized throughout the country. Without his non-stop purse of equal rights, Taiwan would not be as welcoming as it is today. This shows how just one person fighting for what they believe in can make an impact on everyone around them.