South Africa Test Questions

Please ask any questions you have about Saturday's test here in the comments section. I will log on occasionally to check and answer what I can, but you all should feel free to discuss and answer each others' questions as well.
Good luck.

South Africa HW for Thursday/Friday

Read this article on the challenges facing the new South African President, Jacob Zuma. After (or before) reading, click on the photo essays linked throughough on South Africa, 15 Years After Apartheid and on South Africa's Preparations for the World Cup.
As with the last assignment, post a comment or thoughtful question on this blog.

South Africa's First Free Elections

Here is the article from Time Magazine: Time to Take Charge.
Read it, and post at least one comment on the blog. Comments for this assignment can be either questions on things you do not understand, general discussion questions, or answers to others' questions. They should not be random ramblings on the article.

Wanda Sykes and Odette from Hotel Rwanda

Hey guys,

If you want to back me up on this, please do, but this is really directed toward Mr. Sykes.

Mr. Sykes, I asked you if Odette, a Tutsi refugee that is close to Paul's family in Hotel Rwanda was played by Wanda Sykes. You laughed at me. Well, now, I will show you this picture, and show you how much Lebo Mashile, who played Odette, and Wanda Sykes look alike. They are practically twins. Try and find out which picture is Lebo and which is Wanda. I bet you can't.

--Jeremy

Welcome Parents!!

Here is an editorial from today's (Thursday 10/22) New York Times on exactly what we are studying!! Kids, you homework is simply to read the article and come in ready to discuss it. Remember that it is an editorial, so it has an opinon, a point of view. What is that point of view? how is it supported? What are the weaknesses of the argument?
Parents: Feel free to read the article (and to participate in class on Saturday) and to read the posts and comments below. We have used this blog as a forum to discuss ideas and questions that arise out of our readings. While you will not be able to comment on the posts (members only in this very exclusive club), you are welcome to peruse the site, and take a look at what your child and his/her classmates have contributed to the discussions.

Mugabe Quote on Land Reform

"In Zimbabwe, and only because of the color line arising from British colonialism, 70 percent of the best arable land is owned by less than 1 percent of the population who happen to be white, while the black majority are congested on barren land. We have sought to redress this inequity through a land reform and resettlement program [that will result in] economic and social justice."

President Robert Mugabe used that rationale to justify the siezure of thousands of large, white-owned farms in Zimbabwe over the last decade.

Is seizing white-owned farms and transfering ownship to black Zimbabweans fair? Why? Why not?

Who are We?

Hey guys, I don't have much time to write a lot on this at the moment, but I just saw this on the news and thought it was really interesting. If you have the time, you should really visit this site, which has an article about newly found bones dating to 1 million years before our famous ancestor, Lucy. Her name is Ardi. The cool thing about Ardi is that she actually does not really resemble an ape. So now, there is much belief that humans did not evolve from apes, but humans and apes evolved from a common ancestor. If you've got the time, read the whole article or look it up. It's really cool.