Jay Sokolovsky’s “Civic Ecology, Urban Elders, and New York City’s Community Garden Movement”, spoke about how community gardens arose and how they can create a positive impact on a society. Most of these vacant lots used to make the community gardens were used by drug abusers and other “ner-do-wells”. These lots were referred to as “open sores” of the community. The gardens were cherished by the elders of the community. The gardens weren’t used just to harvest food as it was in the earlier days in times of hardship. They also played a big part in bringing the people together and got rid of some of the most dangerous vacant lots.
I think this article was very interesting since this concept of a community garden was new to me. I haven’t seen any community gardens in my neighborhood although I do see vacant lots that can be a garden. I think having more community gardens in New York would be an excellent idea since it has such a positive impact.
Jeffery Witsoe’s “Caste, Politices, and Criminality in Urban India”, mostly spoke about the caste system in India and how it is an unjust system. There is serious corruption in India’s officials and politicians. Everything is centralized about the caste system. The people in the lowest caste had a really difficult life. They lived in the poorest states and had to deal with the corrupt system and couldn’t do anything about it since they had no power and could never gain any power. There were many murders and kidnappings. Wealthy politicians were usually the leaders in this large amount of crime because of their greed and hatred for the lower caste.
This article made me thankful that I live in a country that even someone at the bottom and rise to the top with education and hard work. These Indians in the lower caste were doomed to this life.
Robert Kempers “The Extended Community Migration and Transformation in Tzintzuntan, Mexico”, discussed the truly extended family of Tzintzutan. The residents of Tzinzuntan were unhappy with the money and jobs they had in their city. They migrated because they had aspirations to have better lives and make more money. Although they would leave for several years they would never disconnect from their village. This is why they are referred to as an extended family. They have a true connection to their village and never abandon their people they always return and their journeys are temporary.
This article was something I’ve known about. Some of my Mexican friends visit Mexico at least once a year or maybe twice. They are so connected to their culture and their families back home. I never really heard of people who migrated going back to Mexico and create a permanent homes there. I think it is a new level of commitment to one’s culture I think it’s a truly amazing thing these Tzinzuntan’s have.
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