21st Century, is this a new era?

21^st Century conflicts and Issues

            Chapter 24 of the book Ways of the World describes global interactions and the transformation of the world economy in our present time. People are economically linked by the world market, international investments, transnational corporations, and people migrate from one country to another looking for work. Countries have been further divided by their economic status. Some countries enjoy luxuries and great wealth while others lack the basic necessities such as adequate medical care, clean drinking water, and employment opportunities.    

I have personally experienced both economies living half of my life in Mexico and the other half in United States. Some people, like myself, migrate from Mexico to other parts of the world not only because the country fails to provide its people with the basic necessities but because we feel profound disappointment about the way the government system works. Even when citizens get together to form organizations which promote the economy, provide basic medical care and education for people, build roads and maintain clean streets, the system puts all possible obstacles so these organizations don’t prosper. In the United States, on the other hand,  most people have employment, some type of medical care, and access to education among other things.

Comparing grade school between these two countries, the school system in California is in many way richer than in some states of Mexico. Children in California have access to enrichment programs in addition to the traditional academic curriculum. For example, school trips, library hours, and music programs. In spite of the state budget cuts, school districts and parents have managed to raise the money to pay for those programs. When my children were in elementary school, I observed how upsetting was for parents to lose these programs while schools in Mexico, especially those from medium and small cities, towns, and rural areas, have little funds to pay for principals, teachers, desks, and chairs. Children’s families have to provide for school supplies, lunch, and transportation, just to mention some. There are no additional programs and teachers work with minimum funds. This is relevant when these generations of children grow and interact with each other. If they compete for the same jobs, for example, kids with poor education have fewer chances to succeed and this translates to less opportunities to communities and countries.

As we enter the Post-Modern Era, if this is it, my hope is that international leaders help to close the economic gap among countries regulating capitalism and promoting cooperation among people as Professor Andrews mentioned last night in class. I had not observed that leaders such as President Barak Obama and Nelson Mandela had a different vision for the world and that such vision may mark a different time for humanity. I left class with a sense of hope and by far, it was the class that I enjoyed the most. I also left class motivated to be part of that change in any way my capacity allows.  

I was nice to meet you all!