Does Safety Disregard Discrimination

As a continuation from my earlier blog post I wanted to make this one more about morals rather than what attacks like 9/11 have done to our airport security on a materialistic level. 

Who is a terrorist? It can be anyone, not just people from a certain race. People and airport security have been racially profiling people like crazy ever since that. It leads to discrimination Better safe that sorry right? Is it ok to discriminate against people such a small thing compared to saving the lives of many? Does potentially saving the lives of many outweigh the humiliation on one person that is for you to decide? 

Most of us would be torn if we had to choose to choose to discriminate against a person based on the way they look in order to protect the rest well at least I would hope we would have some hesitation but when it comes down to it 100 people lives would be more in our interest to save rather than discriminate against one. I can see why that is completely understandable but do we think about how that one person would feel if they are unjustly discriminated at the time or the after affects it may have on them. No probably not, we are more concerned over the safety of ourselves and all the other people who are about to board on a plane. This wall always be a tough position to be in. Saving the lives of many will always be more important than to hurt a few people's feeling. Like I said before, Better safe than sorry right? 

As I said in my last blog post no one wants to see what happened on 9/11 happen again ever. It did so much damage to this country emotionally, mentally, physically, and economically. It was such a hard disaster to recover from. Even till this day friends and family members are trying to recover from losing loved ones. As well as those who got terribly sick from attack. We might feel that its ok to discriminate against certain races like Muslims and Arabs, but we also have to remember that many of them were here in this country too watching and witnessing as their country was being attacked. They probably had loved ones get hurt or get killed in this attack. It has been engraved in our minds to be scared and be suspicious of certain races based on the actions of certain people of their race. Is that fair? That is for you decide. 

I have never been on a plain but not I am scared to. I feel like because I am a women of color that I will be targeted as a suspicious person. I am a Latina but I have been asked before if I am Indian or Middle Eastern before. And as hearing that those are some of the people targeted for being "suspicious" persons it makes me not want to fly. Which is sad because I want to travel. I want to travel without having to do extra steps for security purposes. 

Here is another question for you. Do you really think or care about what those who are innocent and wrongfully discriminated against feel like? I know I wouldn't like to be targeted and taken out of line for looking suspicious. I have read a story about an Arab women Samira Saraya who wanted to go visit her partner who was at a convention in a different country. She was interrogated and had to get her story confirmed by her partner before she went on her trip and when she was coming back she was taken aside and during her inspection she ended up just in her underwear and inspected for an hour. The humiliation she went through broke her down and made her feel weak. (If you would like to read the whole story on Samira Saraya click on this link Racial Discrimination in Airports: One, Not Unusual, Story it will take you straight to her story). I was sadden by what I read. The things she had to go through just to visit her partner who she missed dearly. On top of it all she was completely innocent. It just shows what people go through but most of us don't give it a second thought. The concern of the safety overpowers the discrimination people go through and is left in the shadows. 

Precautions

Controversy within Traveling! Transport Security Administration /Discrimination  

What comes in mind for me with traveling that would be controversial is yupp what we all fear TERRORISM. The decision to let fear get in the way of traveling. After 9/11 (may all the victims rest in peace) airport security got real serious. Do I blame them no. We have all seen the damage that was caused by that attack and no one wants to go through that ever again. To never go through that again many steps have been taken by the TSA to stop future attacks. In articles I found from years after the 9/11 terrorist attack they speak of issues that have to do with discrimination or airport security. Do people think all these precautions are useless or do they remember why these precautions were put in place and are ok with them? 

Slate Magazine says in their Racial Profiling at the Airport: Discrimination we are afraid to be Against Article that singling out Arab-looking men at an airport because its rational compared to a thug doing it. It later says that it doesn't make it ok but it can be justified.  

Discovery News mentions what to expect when you go to the airport. 
Things like

1. Behavior detection officers: Known as the Screening Passengers by Observation Technique (SPOT) program, the idea is to use facial expression, body language and appearance (rather than racial profiling) to determine whether a passenger fears detection or is concealing something. TSA spotters "walk the line" and start random conversations with passengers to elicit responses. The officers have about 30 seconds to make an assessment whether the person needs to be pulled out of line and given a more rigorous screening. A TSA spokesman wouldn't discuss the SPOT program or say whether it's caught any law-breakers or terrorists

2. Enhanced pat-downs: This controversial measure was unveiled earlier this month for passengers who don't like the enhanced X-ray scanners or who trigger the alarm. They can involve touching of breasts and genitals, which has upset some passengers, but still has the backing of the Obama administration and TSA officials.

3. Swabbing for explosives: This technology has been around for several years for carry-on and checked bags, but now TSA officers will be using it on passenger's hands. The cotton swabs are placed in a portable detection machine to check for explosive residue. "It just takes a few seconds," said TSA spokesman Jon Allen.

4. "Puff portals:" The explosive trace-detection portal devices use a mass spectrometer to analyze tiny bits of drugs or explosives that are blown off the passenger's clothing. At their peak a few years ago, the TSA had these devices at nearly 100 U.S. airports, but they broke down easily and are being phased out, TSA officials said. "It's not likely that passengers will encounter them," TSA's Allen said.

5. More personal data: The TSA also reminds travelers that they will have to give their full name and date of birth when checking in, which the agency hopes will cut down on the number of people incorrectly matched to the infamous "no-fly list."
(all taken from the Discovery News article, click link to go to article)  


A blog called Foreign Policy talks more about the ludicrous steps the TSA has gone to prevent disasters. 
The blog quotes "The WSJ today revealed that TSA officials have been testing an Israeli-developed biometric machine that can detect travelers with "hostile intent". The machine, called "Cogito", asks travelers questions and measures their biometric responses. FP ran a story back in March about similar voice-analysis screening at a Moscow airport. With Cogito, the machine's software draws on Israeli interrogation data and field experience with terrorists to identify suspicious response patterns". This machine is suppose to helps them steer away from racial profiling. 

We see all the steps TSA and our country as well as other countries have done to protect their
citizens from attacks like 9/11. Is all this money and time going into these new systems really working will it slow down those who are out to do bad? Has the attempt to stop terrorist attacksmade it ok to discriminate against people? Now a days people get so annoyed when they speak about what they have to do to go on a flight. 

Ohh the Week we look forward to!

SPRING BREAK! Do I need to say more? No not really but I am.

The time of the year college students look forward to the most. Bikinis, Shots, Beaches, and tans. I know I do! We are already crazy as it is. Party hard on the weekends, practically every weekend if you ask me. We are young and we are only going to be young once. Lately everyone has been quoting Drake on his Motto "YOLO" you only live once and gosh darn it, it is true. Budget and plan ahead because come spring time it is time to get WILD and you don't want to be left behind.

It is the perfect time to get out and travel! Maybe your not a party person like me, but don't miss out on this college experience. If your not into the drinking and partying find alternatives in your trip. My Freshman year of college I went to Puerto Penasco. It was an amazing week filled with so much fun! The atmosphere around that time was so lively. Beaches filled with people all day and night. Horse back riding, renting quads, going on boat rides were all available. Music was playing all day with people dancing on the beach. They had Sand Castle building contest. It was all just so amazing. I did come back with an almost broken arm but that is just the clumsiness/competitiveness in me, trying to race my brother on quads. It was fun though! :)

Need help planning check out this website Student City (Travel, Experience, Live). It has the Top Destinations for a Spring Break Trip!  http://www.studentcity.com/college

 

If you not into that kind of life style or just want something else to do an Alternative Spring Break. Volunteer abroad somewhere fun and do some good in the world. While doing hard work enjoy the beautiful scenery of whatever the destination of you location  is. While abroad you get to meet a whole lot of people from different places all around the world. You can make new friends and new connections. Plus it would be just a great experience to go through. :)

 

 

The Top 10 Countries I would like to go to for Spring Break!

 

 



1. Spain

 
 2. Barbados

 

3. Cancun 

 

 



4.  Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

 
 5. Greece

 



6.  Jamiaca

 

7.Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

 

 

 

8. Bahamas

 

 

 

9.Rome

                                     

10. Hawaii

Question

So my question is what should I research and add on my blog about the countries I will explore? Should it be more about culture, historical monuments, the scenery?

Head Towards The Arabian Peninsula!

OMAN

Like I've said before I haven't done much traveling in my time other than Mexico, but I will. A country I have NEVER hear of is Oman but as I was looking up different countries it caught my attention. Oman is located in the Arabian Peninsula right next to Saudi Arabien. 

I really enjoy learning about different places and exploring them as well. I like to explore my horizons and have an open mind of different cultures. 

A really cool thing I found interesting was the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque that was established only 11 years ago. If I practiced this religion I would go to the prayer halls every day. This Mosque has such a Beautiful architecture design inside and out.

 

Jebel Shams of Al Hamra

Some pretty cool things to do in Oman if you are the outdoor type is go Trekking and rock climbing in Whadi Ghool, Jabal Mishfat, and Abal Misht. The most famous cave in Oman is the Al-Hoota cave. That is located at Jebel Shams of Al Hamra. Oman is home of one of the largest caves in the world, Majilis Al Jinn

  

Majilis Al Jinn

Some other fun things to do in Oman are The Ddesert safari; whale, turtle, dolphin, and bird watching, diving, kite surfing, visiting the beaches, and seeing the forts.

The desert safari is in Sharqiyah Sands. It has dunes that rise up to nearly 200 meters. The transportation used to go into the desert is usually by camelback or four-wheel drives. Activities that can be done in the desert are watching the sun set, stargazing, sleeping out in the Barsti huts, camel riding and visiting the Bedouins (are a part of a predominantly desert-dwelling Arabian ethnic group traditionally divided into tribes, or clans), and sand boarding. Personally I would want to do them all, but if I had to choose one I would do sand boarding.

 Oman Events

 
Oman had a lot of culturally prided events. One is the Muscat Festival. People entertain the audience with there folklore dances. There are amusement parks for the children. The festival is held annually between January and February. Various artist/musical starts, the circus comes to town, and cultural activities are held daily.

Another Festival that is held is the Salalah Festival. This festival is a celebration of when the Khareef season comes and the temperature starts dropping and everything starts turning green. It takes place in the months of July and August.

There is also the Cultural Theatre Program, Dubai-Muscat Offshore Sailing Race, Sinbad Classic,  Oman Adventures, Bidiyah Challange, Oman World Fireworks Championship, and the Tour of Oman. 

With what I saw Oman has a lot to offer and it is definitely a place I would like to visit in the future.   

Durango, Mexico

There has been much speculation in the last couple of years about whether it is still safe to go there. The only international traveling that I have done is to Mexico when I was young so I am not that experienced with traveling outside the U.S. But I plan to go and travel the world. I do not just want to go to countries that are very well know. Yes, we can travel anywhere we want in this world I think a good place to start is  going to the place your ancestors are from. Knowing where you come from is an important thing to know. If you do not know do some investigating, ask your parents and grandparents. My first trip out of the U.S was to my mother's home country Mexico in a state called Durango "the land of the scorpions".

 I was ten when I went there, but I can still remember it like it was yesterday. My family and I spent more then 24 hours together in car going through terrifying roads when we got to Mexico. We went on the scary highway "El Espinazo del Diablo" also known as the "Devil's Backbone". One of the scariest rides for me and I got car sick so I slept through most of the way.

A new attraction Durango has is the Baluarte Bridge that connects it to the coastal city of Mazatlán. This new bridge will take place of the old way of getting to Durango the“El Espinazo del Diablo”/ "Devil's Backbone". Driving through the Devil's backbone was a scary. I remember I was in the very back seat of a Tahoe closing my eyes at every curve eventually I just feel asleep. This new bridge will be part of the new highway they are building to cut down the hours from Mazatlán to Durango and to attract tourist. 
                                          Here is a picture of the bridge that was built this year. 

                                                          
                                                 Click me and see my creation.

 I went with my mother and siblings to visit family we have there. The part of Durango I went to wasn't the richest but it was full of culture. The cultural part of the trip was an interesting thing to see. Even though my parents tried to preserve their culture at home, being their was on a different level. Walking around the town I got to see horses everywhere, cows roaming around at night, mules and donkeys practically in every back yard. We rode quads all over town. When we crossed the river to get across to the other side of town we sat in the back of trucks. It was reckless but fun. It was exciting seeing a new country. When I got there I saw the huge difference in living styles they had their compared to the U.S. At first I did not want to eat certain foods there but I decided to be open minded. They had a lot of food stand out during the day and so much more at night it was amazing.One of the most exciting things I got to do was go on a five mile hike to visit the "aquas calientes" hot springs near the town. It was a mission getting there especially in the beginning because we had to get over a river that had a really strong current in our Tahoe. It was worth it though, there was such a beautiful scenery, I went on my first hike, and the hot springs were so relaxing. 

(This isn't the ones I went to its just a picture that resembled them the best)

The one place I visited that was full of Historical buildings and exciting people was the Plaza de Armas. I remember going in churches that were breath taking. They had food stands and ice cream stands  everywhere. People were going around everywhere trying to sell you things they hand made. There were so many people walking in and out of the plaza it was overwhelming so I sat on bench and just took it all in.       

                                     Plaza de Armas

Being at my mother's home country and seeing where she was born and raised was a good experience and it was something that I needed- i didn't know it then but I do now- to know where she comes from and why she is the way she is. So when considering traveling out of your home country consider starting where your family originated from. Even though Mexico isn't a underrepresented country it was a good place for me to begin my traveling experience.




If you would like to learn more about Durango, Mexico here is a link that talks about it. http://www.visitmexico.com/en/historic-center-of-durango-mexico

We all hear about the most well know places all over the world that people like to travel to and visit. Countries like Italy, France, Germany, ext. but what about all the other countries. Many countries have a lot to offer the world and we can learn from them but we are so focused on visiting all the well know countries that we don't even consider the rest. I know I am like that, and that is why I would like to explore overlooked countries. I have only been to one country outside of the U.S so I plan to go to more. Thus,  I will be looking at some countries that are underrepresented and research what they have to offer the world that we might not have know before. Hopefully it will give you an open mind to visiting places you might not have considered before.

To test your knowledge on how many countries you know here is a link to a website where you can take a quiz to see how many you know! http://www.jetpunk.com/quizzes/how-many-countries-can-you-name.php ...  As you name countries and if you are correct the countries turn green.

 

Do You Know Them all?

 

Here is some of our favorite childhood cartoons the Animaniacs singing all the countries of the world. Educate yourself and not dread it.