English Comp 101 was an introduction to what my writing can mean to somebody. As a writer, I never really enjoyed writing because I like to present my work and findings. I am more fond of discussing a piece than writing because my writing is more of me talking. For example, me writing this reflection is me recapping everything I have learned. However, English Comp 102 opened my eyes a little more because I was taught that sometimes talking in your writing piece is a good way to draft a final essay.
English Comp 102 did require a little more writing than English Comp 101, but it still shaped me into a better writer for my nursing classes. I do wish my comp classes taught more of APA than MLA because my major requires all of my papers to be in APA. I had to teach myself APA, but I never really see the difference between the two formats.
My writing began with a literacy narrative and I thought I completely failed the assignment. After going through a 1:1 meeting with my professor, he made me realize that to be a writer, I have to believe in the work. Following that piece, I had to write a paper on discourse community. The paper was a tough piece, but I did manage to pull through and complete it. I do not call it my best piece, but I considered it “B” work. Although, in Comp 101, I never managed to get higher than an 84. My lowest grade was a 79 in that class for what I thought was my best piece. Following my discourse community paper, I had a researched paper and I am currently managing it. It is a very hard piece for me to put it together because I am not good with meeting a word count. I can typically handle a required paper amount because I know where I need to reach. However, every writer has their flaws and every great piece takes time.
My digital portfolio will be a description of how much I have grown as a writer. My pieces are timely representations of how much more I could grow. I am glad to be done with English Comp classes, but sometimes I will be needing more of guidance through small techniques. Every class a lesson was taught and it helped all my papers grow and made the next one better.
Some countries are fortunate enough to have a democracy, and are able to pick their president. However, some are not lucky and have dictators. Peru was fortunate to pick their presidents throughout time, but a president is not perfect. In 1990, the country had chosen Alberto Fujimori over Mario Vargas Llosa. In this paper, I will discuss why the people of Peru portray ex-president Alberto Fujimori due to accusations of abusing human rights.
Peru suffered economically and socially while ex-president Alan Garcia was in office. Garcia put the country in ruins due to his decisions made on nationalizing bankingindustries and suspending the country’s foreign debt payments. At the time, inflation had skyrocketed which made foods slightly unaccessible. The shortages on basic needs in the country were putting the people into poverty due to his enrollment in office. He consequently had to deal with the rising of the Shining Path nearing the end of his term.
The Shining Path was a rebel group in peru that endorsed maoism and acted through guerilla tactics. It was founded by a philosophy professor named Abimael Guzman in a university in Ayacucho, Peru. The first act of violence was in 1980, when The Shining Path had destroyed the ballot boxes for the presidential election. Following those actions, the Shining Path had spread its wings all the way to Lima, the country’s capital. However, the operations were still held in the ruins of the mountains in Ayacucho and Apurimac, where extreme poverty was located.
In the lands of extreme poverty, my parents were oddly enough born and raised in those high mountains. The Shining Path took advantage of the lack of military force within territories hence to their ability to recruit villagers. Unfortunately, the villagers were being torn and had to pick between joining terrorism or siding with the government. Even though, siding with the government meant putting a target on their backs. My father was recruited by The Shining Path at twelve years old and witnessed all tactics that were supposed to occur in the country, however, was fortunate enough to escape from being affiliated with the rebellion. Although, 90% of his line who had escaped with him were never seen again. Fortunately, my grandma had sent my father away to Lima, to save him from what was to come. Since the Shining Path began to take over all rural lands through their recruitment and killings, they were beginning to become stronger. All the Shining Path wanted to do was overthrow the existing government and replace it with communism.
Alan Garcia left the office leaving Peru with no money and the Shining Path just in the mist of taking over. In 1990, Alberto Fujimori had taken office and was ready to take the country on a wild ride. Fujimori stepped in office and began bringing back the economy without immediate costs. Since inflation began to fall, Fujimori introduced their new monetary currency called, “Nuevo Sol.” Immediately after that, the peruvian economy grew by 13% (Stokes, 2001). He was making a difference left to right until the Shining Path had arrived to Lima.
Due to their arrival, they begam armed strikes and to be taken seriously they even enforced killings. However, the Shining Path did rule majority of the country, Fujimori knew he needed to take action. Car bombings, school bombings, and hostages were not going to continue to occur under his term. Fujimori created a military elite to take down the Shining Path even if it meant one by one. It began with kidnapping the possible suspects of the Shining Path and once about 70 of 2000 members were collected, Fujimori conducted a search in their homes for possible hostages. His death squad were out with rifles to kill the peasant patrols in the mountains. However, crisis dropped once the capture of Abimael Guzman was done in 1992.The members dropped drastically due to their lack of leader. Nearing the late 90’s, the terrorist group was left with about 300 members.
As one may think this is a celebration due to the capture, many people were mourning the death of their family members who were killed by Fujimori’s death squad. Hate beg
an to arise to President Fujimori since many civilians were realizing the abuse of human rights. As people were getting suspicious, funds for the military elite began to come into question. However, according to the documentary, “ The Fall of Fujimori,” it talks about the self-coup that Fujimori declared since he temporarily shutdown the government. It s
hows the majority of 80% of people and massive crowd supporting the self-coups while the politicians were against the actions. Fujimori was showing his authority and that he needed his laws to pass immediately and save the country he runs.
In 1996, there was an attack on the Japan embassy by Túpac Amaru Revolutionary Movement also known as MRTA. The MRTA was full of young uneducated civilians who knew nothing but to shoot a gun. They also had 72 hostages and were not going to give them back unless Fujimori let go all 400 of the members in the MRTA he had in prison. President Fujimori does not do negotiations especially not with terrorists. Fujimori’s plan to get the hostages free was by attacking underground using engineering tactics. Eight seconds was all that was needed. It took eight seconds after he sent a bomb from under and his crew got everyone out and destroy the MRTA. The elite squad was able to get everyone out except one who passed away during the explosion. Every rebel was killed and for that select few hated Fujimori. However, he was not blood thirsty for his own people. The terrorist were within the community and he needed to set an example internationally.
At first, it was the affected families who rioted about the abductions, torturing, and killings of their loved ones. Even though, they were involved in terrorist acts. In his documentary, it also mentions how the people began to believe he did not care about democracy and that he was a dictator since in 2000 he was running for his third election which was illegal. However, the law of a president can only run for two elections was in effect of 1993, which leaves his first action term in 1990 not valid as his first term. His second term in 1995 was considered his first term. Due to the people claiming what he was doing was illegal, they also proclaim that he did not care if corruption was being used to keep himself in power.
More people began to break out the moment a video of Vladimiro Montesinos paying off a congressman was released. Montesinos was Fujimori’s closest ally, who facilitated the elite and had ears for information. The people wanted to know why Fujimori was taking no action towards these actions. However, while Fujimori was trying to stay calm, civilians were noticing the panic in Fujimori’s eyes since the release of tapes. He conducted a warrant to search Montesinos home, and took all the tapes in which Fujimori was present. Those actions led the people to riot of secrets Fujimori was hiding. Even though, Fujimori says he had nothing to hide, people were still worried of something being wrong. Everybody went bizarre when Fujimori fled the country the day after an investigation was called upon him for eight million dollars being found in a Swedish bank under Montesinos name. Fujimori then faxed over resignation from Tokyo, Japan due to his worries that his life was at risk even though it was indeed rejected. The people of Peru began to riot on how the authority was an organized group to commit crimes since they had power. Fujimori was safe in Japan because Japan has a law that they do not give up their citizens to other countries. It was valid in Fujimori’s case because he had a dual citizenship with Japan and Peru. The government of Peru were charging him with corruption, kidnapping, and murder.
In Peru, not everyone could afford an education. The university students made up a majority of the Shining Path. The rest of the Shining path was made of thieves who took advantage of the bombings, carjacking, killing, and rapes. Unfortunately, there are no sources to backup the reality of thieves and low-lifes being involved with the Shining Path. The only source given is the people who lived through these massacres and it goes to show how they have seen it all. From being in line to watching all the trauma go through the village and knowing their only savior would be the president, Fujimori. According to CNN, majority the wealthy citizens lost their family members and portray Fujimori as a killer since it was mostly elite students trying to overthrow the government. However, the people who were forced to be with the Shining Path, they thank Fujimori. Due to his courageous actions, they were saved from being killed. Fujimori made sure the minority had food and were living. No matter how bad the politicians were portraying Fujimori of the accusations. His approval rating was still around thirty-five to forty percent. The worse people are making him look, the more the minority stands out to stay he saved the country.
As the minority continues to strive through life with Fujimori being arrested, life in Peru made a serious turn. According to NY times, people were satisfied of the conviction of Mr. Fujimori. One affected family member made a statement of, “We feel completely satisfied,” said Gisela Ortiz whose brother was a student. In 1992, he was one of the victims of Fujimori’s death squad. She also said, “The criminal apparatus that was used to commit these crimes has been exposed.” Fujimori had to take action from a different point of view and many people decided to seeing him as a murder not a president defending his people. However, during his conviction many people were outside the building rioting because they want justice for the victims that were killed. They wanted a president who would bring peace to the streets, not one to kill people from their streets. On the other hand, when riots occur, there are always two sides. One side being against and another advocating the situation. Many were on the mindset of, “If he is guilty, he must pay” according to NY times.
In conclusion, in any massacre there are always two sides of the story. One would call it, “The untold truth,” but the opposing side would call it, “lies.” However, ex-president Fujimori’s actions goes to show that one can go to desperate manners to save their county, but in the end people will always hate you. Not everyone can live to see everything get better because not everyone was meant to see the end. Henceforth, one can die a hero or live long enough to be a villain. Unfortunately, Alberto Fujimori has been living long enough to see himself as a villain because the hero inside of him is unsung.
Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. “Maoism.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 28 July 2016, http://www.britannica.com/topic/Maoism.
Sweat, blood, and tears are elements of Softball that go unrecognized to people who do not play the beautiful game. The players are not simply cliques as everyone may assume since most sports teams always hang and talk around each other. However, through all the victories and losses a sisterhood is formed which brings their unity together. Being a spectator at all the games gave me a front row ticket to learning all the core values of the team and some knowledge on the game.
Every game forecasted different weather and one could not imagine what mother nature was going to hit us with on game day. One day it could be sunny and seventy-five degrees while the next day it could be “cloudy with a chance of meatballs.” The players would pray for no rainfall so they could be out on the diamond shining bright with team colors. While everyone was in the dugout setting up, the speaker would blast country music and the players would get a little dirt on their boots. The parents would arrive with energy snacks to fuel up their rockstars on the field and it was just a normal routine everyone was used to doing.
A new day meant a new thirst to win the very next game, the softball team just wanted to see a title at the end of their season. However, for me, it was another day of trying to figure out what was going on every inning. I never really had an interest of sitting on a rusty, old damp bleacher to watch my friends because I was normally a soccer player who enjoyed diving on the grass. Which held a huge transition for me since I just spectacted every softball game against the fence. Nobody outside of this community really truly understands how important it is to remember what inning the game is at because one might think they are coming at the end of the game and it might just be the bottom of the fourth. I had to learn what an inning was by simply counting my fingers, figuring out that three strikes per team was an inning. It was the little things about the game I was learning about this little community.
The team focused on communication and that kept them on their toes. If there was no communication, the outfielders would bump heads, and it was actually hysterical to watch since they would yell at each other very shortly. I also picked up that there are always two coaches if the team is up to bat. One coach stands next to first base and typically high-fives the player on base, while the other is on 3rd trying to communicate with the players to tell them when to run. The unique thing is that if an outfielder was yelling, “I got it, I got it,” then they had it. However, while their focused on catching the ball, their teammates are yelling where to turn to after that play so they could make a double play. Sometimes parents like to be coaches from the bleachers, but the players tend to ignore when a lot of people are yelling because they know what their next move is going to be in order to advance a base or get the hit. Even from the dug-out, the players do not speak when a teammate hits a double as soon as they plant their feet on base, the team will clap twice and “dab” as their way to congratulate their teammate without screaming and yelling since dabbing was a trend.
In order for me to understand more every week, I ended up picking up everyones habits before games, during the game, and after the game. When I say, “everyone” I mean the players, coaches, parents, brothers, and sisters. Typically at home games, you will catch everyone’s family at the game; however, at away games it showed who was really dedicated to seeing their favorite player out on the field. For the players, seeing support on the bleachers meant the world to them. I got to speak with Kiersten Lupton from Absegami’s Softball team and she told me, “it means everything because those people mean everything and to have their support feel so good.” People taking their time to just stand there and watch is everything especially when you need a push. Although, Absegami’s Rebecca Roesch felt a different impact when she left for college and told me, “I never truly appreciated my parents being at all my games in HS until I went to college and had to play my first college game without them there. It’s a little piece of who you’ve always been as a player seeing them in the stands bc they’ve been there alongside of you since day one. It reminds me of where I can from and how I got here.” Parents and friends do not realize how much their presence may impact a player because its a genuine feeling that goes through your body while up on the plate. The players valued seeing support out there and it would help their performance out on the field. Simple high-fives and a “great hit bud” getting yelled from across the field was always rewarding because sometimes there was tension on the diamond.
While observing the game, I always wondered what it even felt like to run those bases or to even get a hit off the ball. According to Jillian Syroczynski it was everything to do both at the same time, she said, “Successfully hitting and getting on base is of course always rewarding to not only my team, but me because it shows all the hard work I put into training has paid off. It is nerve racking because you have to think ahead and make sure you’re not over running or underrunning so you don’t get out.” While watching the game I never imagined running those bases was nerve racking, but I thought it would be exciting since you can play around with the opposing team. Kiersten agrees and told me, “I was always super anxious on base and was always super eager to get the next one. At our banquet my coach said I was probably the worst base runner he’s ever had because I’d always steal bases when he didn’t want me too but I had pretty good confidence I could get there.” She looked forward to wanting to steal bases and stir the pot a little during the game. Even though sometimes the umpires were not the fairest, sometimes you had to learn how to breathe and let the little things go because you never knew how your umpire is going to act.
However, the most important thing I learned about the softball community has to be how to positive even when you should be negative. Nobody likes losing, or being criticized on how they played in their very last high school game. One game, a foul ball came out to the bleachers and it landed in the guys hands right next to me. He wanted to be tough and show how strong he is since it was a strong hit that came at us. Evan did not let the pain get to him so as the crowd cheered, he cheered along. In the stands, that is how we react positive to a negative situation. Or even, when our players come out after a toss loss, we as spectators need to be their sunshine on a cloudy day, especially their shoulder to lean on. Sometimes the player will shut you out, and you just have to put your arm around them then remind them it is just a game. The sun will go down, and a better is on it’s way.
Many people think that softball is just a game that starts and ends right on the diamond and that the girls are full of it. I was lucky enough to have a witness first hand everything about the game and players. Every game meant a new destination to drive to which would lead me to a new set of bleachers that creaked everytime I sat on them. I used to rush home to get in my car to make a drive all the way to Wildwood to watch a game in the rain that came with a terrible wind. However, to me, it was all worth it so my bestfriend could have someone waiting for them at the end of the game knowing that yes, there game is worth it for me to watch even when she is playing left bench. I asked some players who they wanted to see after a game and Rebecca told me, “Sometimes it’s your significant other but especially for me in college I just really wanna hug my parents. They travel pretty far to see me play now and usually I only see them at games.” Melissa Hirst and Kiersten both spoke about their families being their biggest supporters and will go the distance to watch them play so they could get feedback on how to improve on the next game. On the other hand, Jillian had a different way of seeing her fans and told me, “Well it is always awesome to see my dad because he’s been supporting me since I played in pre-k, but this past season I really looked forward to seeing my best friend. She made a pact to come to every game and not that I was banking on her coming all the time ( there could be change of plans last minute) but looking in the stands and seeing her brought joy. She dedicated a lot of time to sit in the stands and literally learn the game just for me; which is something I’ll cherish for a lifetime.” It only took one person for me to change my perspective on a game and because of Jillian I learned how to catch a ball, how to count innings, 10-run rule, and most importantly a smile can go a long way. Soccer was the only road I have ever known, but softball has took a turn on my life.
PERU ― Many protests break due to a legislative law and quite frankly our protests do not change any decisions in the office. However, it does let the people express their voice and that is what a democracy is all about. In the United States, many presidents do not pardon people until almost the near of their term since they will be outgoing and will not deal with political parts and people who will want to go against their decision. In Peru, Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, current president made an awfully crazy move.
On health grounds, Alberto Fujimori was pardoned from his prison term on December 24, 2017. It was a Christmas pardon since the seventy-nine year old suffered from numerous health conditions. He was arrested, tried, and convicted on charges related to corruption on his country who was President for at the time, Peru. In 2009, he was finally sentenced to 25 years in prison for his role in the killings and kidnappings of many of his own citizens since he ordered his elite death squad Grupo Colina to kidnap and kill the Shining Path. The Shining Path was the uprise going against the government since it had turned its paths.
Kuczynski had just been saved from impeachment a week prior to pardoning Fujimori due to allegations that he accepted bribes when he served as the country’s finance minister and later its prime minister (Gillespie, 2017). Thousands of Peruvian citizens had protested over the pardon and believe their president, Kuczynski, should step down from his position in office since he has betrayed his people. However, the people felt that they were, “[slapped] in the face.”
In contrast, the United States had not gone through a big scandal like Peru, President Ford did grant pardon to former President Nixon for “a regret mistake.” The citizens did not erupt, but however question what was going on between the two. Was there a certain deal being thrown around? The people did not react as big as Peru did when Fujimori was pardoned which may be because corruption did not occur in the United States.
PERU ― Many do not think an unsung hero would be someone who is a hero. An unsung hero is someone who is unrecognized but does so much. In recent 1990’s to 2000’s, Mr. Alberto Fujimori was the game changer during his term, however to the public he was the man who turned his back on his country.
In the United States, many do not hear about their president turning their backs on them; however, sometimes it is not necessarily them turning their backs, but doing what is best for their country. Which is what happened to ex-president Alberto Fujimori when he was trying to when trying to put his country back together while Alan Garcia, former peruvian president, was hurting it. Under Garcia’s presidency, the media never showed the people waiting in long lines to to get a pound of rice, sometimes there was not enough for everyone. On the other hand, when Alberto Fujimori stepped up in the presidency, that part of the peruvians lives was in for a change. Fujimori made sure all of his people had food;however, the Shining Path had started to go against the government,but the people had taken it the wrong way and raped women also recruiting kids to kill the indians in the villages. The Shining Path developed when the government transitioned from a military government.
Fujimori knew action needed to be taken and formed an elite to kill the Shining Path because they were trying to gather the minority and some police were involved with them so nobody really ever knew. According to online sources, “official government death squad had kidnapped the ten victims, tortured and murdered them, and then hurriedly buried, exhumed, burned, and reburied the bodies.” Many believe he did this on purpose, but the students of La Cantuta University were out of hand, and Fujimori took the actions necessary of defending his minority.
In the United States, we do not see actions like these of our president defending the minorities. Many crimes have been occurring for example, shootings in schools;however, our president Donald Trump proceeds to take no action. The citizens of the United States simply protest and that is as far as actions occur, but many say that our protests do nothing but waste time. A president is supposed to try and keep everyone on the same levels, but unfortunately we have the upper class, middle class, and the minority. The minority is typically just kicked around and usually screwed over in choices. Fujimori is the reason the minority is still standing in Peru, and Trump is the reason money is flowing, not any changes though.
PERU ― Freedom is a privilege not everyone got to have before in the 1900’s. Especially in a world with democracy, some countries do not have the opportunity to live in a democracy. However, every country has their leader. The people of a country chose who will lead them for the best, although some countries like North Korea aren’t given that chance. Freedom is what every United States Citizen is granted, which gives them the chance to do whatever they desire as long as they are not breaking the law.
However, in Peru, they have freedom.. on paper. According to Latino USA, “Peru is a young democracy which has only properly held elections since 2001. Its constitution sets out significant rights for its citizens including the “freedom of information, opinion, expression” and the right to their ‘own voice and image.’” Which signifies how they are just recently accustoming to a democracy in their country by just voting who their president is in the early 2000’s, while the United States of America has been at it since the late 1700’s. Having their voices heard is what makes Peru great since that is their strongest aspect while in the United States everyone tries to bring the other down with their political speeches. For example, the recent election in 2016 in PPK vs. Keiko Fujimori, the people expressed their concerns with Fujimori since her father Alberto Fujimori almost caused the death of Peru with his lack of respect for the country. However, in the United States with recent election of Donald Trump vs. Hillary Clinton, many did not want to vote for her due to her husband Bill Clinton’s mistakes on NAFTA. It shows how both countries out their voices due to previous problems without giving new chances to different people. “While citizens have rights, the country’s weak state institutions mean that it can fail to uphold or implement them,” (Latino USA). However, with a strong leader, the country will not always succeed.
PERU ― When the world cries for help, many do not throw in a helping hand; however, they turn their cheek the opposite way. The people look for the man above us for grace and hope that everything will turn out to be okay. Children out crying looking for help, adults unsure of what to do because they do not know what is going to happen. Natural disasters do not occur often but when they do the United States is quick to respond, but third world countries happen to suffer for a long time.
El Nino was a tragic global climate weather change that occurs in random times and in 2017, Peru was hit with El Nino hard and the world for Peru seemed it was to close ending. The floods came from the hard rain that developed from the warm waters in the pacific ocean. The last time Peru was hit terribly was in 1998. The issue with having the storm is that it kills the fishing industry and that is part of business in the country. The cold waters gives fish nutrients that make the fish riches. However, in 1998 we lost about four hundred people, but in 2017 we did not lose as many, yet, it still took many lives from us. The help was not seeked quick in Peru, as another countries only send their love and thoughts. “The extent of damage El Niño’s climate pattern can do was last seen in 1998, when nearly 400 people were killed during a period of massive rains and flooding” (Llamoca, 2017). All the people did for these four hundred people was sending their love to their “pisanos”, which is neighbors, friends, loved ones.
Compared to the United States, El nino affects the west coast more often. “Many folks probably remember the heavy rainfall, flooding, and landslides that occurred in California in 1982/83 and again in 1997/98. As the region suffers through a devastating drought, it could be something of a relief if we knew for certain that El Niño would bring similar soaking rains (Halpert, 2014). In the United States, everyone comes together and sends help to those in needs unlike other countries. The help that is binded together shows how strong the country is and how they all come together to form a one. As a richer country, we have more resources and more places to pull from in a time of need unlikes other countries who have to survive in their dirt.
If you were to meet me, I would look like any average eighteen year old girl. You’d probably find me at school laughing with my friends, doing some last minute homework, or talking about the upcoming soccer game. That is the face that I choose to show to the world because my real life is far from glamorous and far from average. I have experienced many challenges in these eighteen years, but the most important one: being able to speak fluently in Spanish. When times got really rough, I believe Kelly Clarkson’s song describes my life: “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”
Growing up in a bilingual household has its unique set of challenges, made even more complex by having a family who doesn’t speak English. My parents were unable to read English so they had to look for a smiley or sad faces of indicators of our academic progress. They were strict nonetheless so we were expected have all A’s all the time. They held me to such a high standard and I felt the pressure to excel from a very young age. Some may not be able to fully understand the extent of the pressure that was put on me throughout my childhood, but it’s safe to say that I was forced to grow up and take on the adult roles before I was ready.
At the age of eight, I was asked to translate for my mother at an interview with an immigration officer, which is when I discovered that my mom was not an American citizen. I had to figure out how to fill out paperwork for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration offices. I never learned to speak the language in school like many of my friends. I was lucky enough to learn street Spanish and make it through obstacles. Unfortunately, I was learning from my mother and father who sometimes never could explain a word to me so messing up in front of adults and awkward looks were really common. If I was never pushed into big positions like facing face to face with U.S. Immigration, I do not think I would have learned to be fluent. All my mistakes helped me shape into a better learner because we learn from our mistakes.
Time passed, I grew and ended up taking over my parents finances and I began to speak on their behalf a lot more. My mother is ignorant in the sense of not understanding since she cannot read Spanish or read nor speak English. Having to learn from her was very difficult, for example, if she asked me to pay a bill that was sixty dollars, I usually mixed it up with seventy dollars because sixty is “sesenta” and seventy is “setenta” which are only different by a letter. The key to that learning was again, messing up. Continuing to try, and once again try is very difficult especially if you do not understand and the person has no idea how to explain a concept to you. But luckily for me, the more I failed, the more I knew I was going to succeed one day.
Eventually, I turned sixteen and I went out to go get employed and I was fortunate enough to put down in my resume that I was bilingual and surely enough that got me called in for an interview in retail. I was hired for my youth and my ability to speak spanish since Sears gets many customers who speak spanish. Even on the job, I was consistently learning because not everyone speaks the same spanish, for example, I did not pick up the formal Spanish language since I ignored it in school, my family spoke street Spanish which most speak. However, everyone has their own gist to it and you just have to go with the flow. I struggled with comprehending speakers who spoke too quickly for me, but I never asked them to slow down because it was a chance for me to rise and pick up speaking faster.
Being bilingual has shaped me into the person I am today and I could not see myself not being able to speak this beautiful language. Going from trying to understand at a young age to being able to help others has made an impact in my life. Learning in a bilingual household and in school is a big difference because in school you are taught to speak in a certain manner, and consistently taught the same basics every school year. On the other hand, the development I went through was arduous but I overcame everything and could not be more happier especially because I do not look hispanic it tricks many people. However, just like everyone else we have the same mouth, we just speak different languages.
PERU ― Opportunities come and go for athletes and sometimes opportunities fly right out of your hands that happened to the United States National Soccer Team. Unfortunately, many U.S fans were ready to rally in Russia 2018 to support our men in the big games in the FIFA World Cup. However, while the United States came up short, Peru’s National Soccer Team came up with enough wins to actually qualify for the FIFA World Cup in 2018.
1982 was the very last year the world has seen Peru’s National Soccer Team in the World Cup. For twenty-eight years, fans have not seen Peru advance from the qualifying round which have been almost thirty years of no hope for the country. Years of not entering or withdrawing, or even qualifying because the team was known to break out in a fight at anytime. They have also been robbed of their wins especially in La Paz, Bolivia. In 1969, Chechelev who was the assigned referee to the Peru vs. Bolivia qualifiers match had been paid by the Argentinians to assure the win of Bolivia. A local news source confirmed Chechelev’s confession of the bribe, “Chale aplicó un cabezazo a Chechelev y este cerró los ojos, al abrirlos, vio a Ramón Mifflin y lo expulsó, creyendo que había sido él quien lo agredió. Al final, ratificó su decisión y Bolivia ganó el partido. Luego de muchos años, Chechelev confesó que los argentinos le habían pagado,” (Scandals of Referees, 2012). In translation, Roberto Chale, a peruvian soccer player, buttheaded the ref, Chechelev, due to not validating a goal against Bolivia, and Chale closed his eyes, then opened them to see Ramon Mifflin, a peruvian soccer player, and immediately expelled him for attacking him. In the finale, Bolivia won the match and years later Chechelv confessed that Argentina had paid him to rig the game. Which justifys Peru’s difficult comeback in 2017, and finally qualified in the last spot to go to Russa this 2018!
However, The United States has been in the World Cup since 1986, that was the very last time they did not make an appearance in the World Cup. The unpredictable happened to the U.S as they lost their match by an embarrassing own goal. Hope was still in the air as they only needed Honduras or Panama to lose in their games for them to advance. Shockingly, Honduras AND Panama WON leaving the United States Men National Team in North America while everyone travels to Russia this 2018.
Everything seems to tie together because the underdogs did what nobody thought was coming and are going to Russia while the predictable Americans were staying home this world cup and not representing their country. With different backgrounds many may never know who will go to the world cup. Peru caused a potential earthquake in celebration of joy as their team advances, while the U.S sits in their sorrow.
PERU ― Things began to tighten as traveling through United States Customs became difficult for many citizens as they made their return to United States Borders.Even investors were struggling to make their profits with Peru. In 2009, the Peru Trade Promotion Agreement went under effect to eliminate tariffs and provide legal framework for investors. The United States supports trade relations with Peru since they have a strong relationship.
Peru’s number one trading partner is the United States even though Peru is the thirty-fifth country the United States trades with for goods. The Peru Trade Promotion Agreement allows peruvian goods to enter the U.S. free of merchandise processing fees. The people of Peru benefit from this action because it was to generate more employment opportunities since they could trade with the United States exporting their goods of sugar cane ethanol, gold, fruit,and mineral fuels etc. Employees were potentially looking at an increase on their income, hoping it would bring many out of poverty.
Realistically, the United States were having their benefits from the trade agreement because they were mostly strengthening their investments and having access to more goods and services. President George W. Bush was in office to sign this agreement and was hoping this agreement could potentially fight against drug trafficking and promote security and democracy.
However, not everything has happy endings when a congress passes something new. Unfortunately, Peru’s president Alejandro Toledo suffered many criticisms because many viewed the agreement as worsening their problems instead of improving. The idea of worsening child labor and their labor rights were going down a hole according to the congress of Peru. Everything got worse when the government had failed to consult many communities about the legal framework on the natural resources.Since congress had began to failed to keep their words on a repeal that affected the peoples rights, protests had risen soon after April 16th, 2009 shortly after Alfredo Ferrero, Peruvian Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism signed his part of the deal with United States of America.
payments. At the time, inflation had skyrocketed which made foods slightly unaccessible. The shortages on basic needs in the country were putting the people into poverty due to his enrollment in office. He consequently had to deal with the rising of the Shining Path nearing the end of his term.
My father was recruited by The Shining Path at twelve years old and witnessed all tactics that were supposed to occur in the country, however, was fortunate enough to escape from being affiliated with the rebellion. Although, 90% of his line who had escaped with him were never seen again. Fortunately, my grandma had sent my father away to Lima, to save him from what was to come. Since the Shining Path began to take over all rural lands through their recruitment and killings, they were beginning to become stronger. All the Shining Path wanted to do was overthrow the existing government and replace it with communism.
Immediately after that, the peruvian economy grew by 13% (Stokes, 2001). He was making a difference left to right until the Shining Path had arrived to Lima.
As the minority continues to strive through life with Fujimori being arrested, life in Peru made a serious turn. According to NY times, people were satisfied of the conviction of Mr. Fujimori. One affected family member made a statement of, “We feel completely satisfied,” said Gisela Ortiz whose brother was a student. In 1992, he was one of the victims of Fujimori’s death squad. She also said, “The criminal apparatus that was used to commit these crimes has been exposed.” Fujimori had to take action from a different point of view and many people decided to seeing him as a murder not a president defending his people. However, during his conviction many people were outside the building rioting because they want justice for the victims that were killed. They wanted a president who would bring peace to the streets, not one to kill people from their streets. On the other hand, when riots occur, there are always two sides. One side being against and another advocating the situation. Many were on the mindset of, “If he is guilty, he must pay” according to NY times.
Jenn's Portfolio 