PARTY IN ROOM NUMBER 6

Roommates! Holidays are coming... I think it's time for organising a big PARTY in our room. Specially because some of us are leaving... Not a pyjama party... A dinner ... And if we don't wanna clean the room later, there's always Bairro Alto... What do you think?

(and we can still go bodyboarding if anyone wanna join the club;))

bye bye *

This is a letter to say goodbye. I don’t think I’ll be with you on the next semester. I only know some of you, but I did get to know others better because of their works. And I was very happy with your interest in mine. Thank you.
Thank you Allyson in some ways you helped me growing.
In the next two semesters I will be working and having other kind of experiences. Then I intend to study again probably in 2º semester 2009 in Allysons class. I hope I don’t meet any of you there!!!

Good luck everybody.

* 4. Should people adapt to the cultural ways and values of the host country when professional living and working there

The discussion around the issue “should people adapt to the cultural ways and values of the host country when professional living and working there” has always been an important mater. Some people think they should, other disagree.
In my opinion they should, because if they don’t, there will be a ways and values shock, when talking about a small community, if they are a big community they also should adapt because otherwise the culture of the host country is in danger. For example: if a small community of American immigrants in Sudan don’t adapt there will be a shock, but if they are a big community like African people or Chinese people in Portugal, that don’t adapt and keep some of their ways and values, they put the culture of Portugal in danger because of the multiculturalism.
Another important point to consider is that if they don’t adapt they will not feel integrated and that lead to discrimination and conflicts and everybody will be losing with that situation.
On the other hand, if we put in the situation of the immigrant we know we would like to maintain our ways and values.
To conclude: I really think the people in a host country should adapt because that is the best to everyone and we have to make choices, if we want to maintain our ways we stay in our country.
One of the reasons I would like to change country is because I would love to live other realities I see no reason for keeping mine.

* kiss, blank canvas, criminal charge ...

Our love has always been like a painting: coloured, happy, harmonious, that everybody appreciated.
She first kissed me at the Gulbenkien, after we had visited “arte antiga” museum; we both loved art galleries.
I had never felt so happy and completed.
5 years passed and we were together as one. One day, she said she was leaving, “I want to have new experiences, I’m leaving for Turkey!”
I could not bear it; I spend 2 nights trying to make a plan so she wouldn’t leave.
“Eureka!” I must kill her… I went to her house, I… I did it… and dropped her body in the sea… now I feel more alone than ever, I feel like a blank canvas…
Now I’m in jail, they found her body; I was arrested and charged for her murder.

* «What is freedom of expression? Without the freedom to offend, it ceases to exist» Salman Rushdie (1990). Discuss.

Freedom of expression is one of the most significant but also debatable freedoms within society: is freedom of expression the full right to say whatever we want or need to say? Or should there be limits?
Firstly, from a historical and political point of view, supporters argue that freedom of expression is the first to be overruled by any dictatorship. Therefore, its system and its leaders cannot be criticised and people cannot contest those who control or manipulate them. On the other hand, opposers may say that discrimination is of the cases where freedom of expression can turn into a weapon against a minority. For example, Afro-Americans were and still are common victims of racism, because people consider freedom of expression as the unlimited power to express anything they want.

Secondly, from a both moral and social perspective, it can be said that freedom of expression is necessary in its full dimension in order to have not only an open minded society but also a well informed one. For example, the art of comedy is based on criticising and, consequently, offending ways, beliefs and people’s actions, but it is something we can learn from and become aware of social problems, as well. Nevertheless, it might be said that there is always a time when freedom of expression offends other rights, such as the right to privacy, the right to be respected and so on; they argue that we don’t need to offend in order to express our opinion.

To conclude, I believe as Salman Rushdie does, that freedom to offend is a price worth paying for the freedom of expression to exist. It is a basic need so that a person finds their place in society; it must have no limits in order to prevent us from other harm. Martin Luther King expressed his opinions and dreams, though they might have offended some, they saved an entire community’s life and pride.

* Zoos are cruel and unnecessary

Are zoos really unnecessary? Why do so many people visit them? First of all, surely to see all types of animals and above all the exotic ones which have come from very far. This is the main argument to keep a zoo but there are more.
A zoo does a lot of work to help the animals and to improve their quality of life. The idea behind a zoo is of course to show the animals to the world so that no doubt can be left.
But nowadays zoos do a lot more for other animals like adopting ill and old animals to treat them, for example animals from a circus.
But on the other hand were those animals really being better treat? They are living closed in cells and not in their natural state. A further reason is the problem of their natural instinct, which can’t be followed. This situation not only makes the animal ill but it also can depress him and finally kill the animal.
Nevertheless, human beings can also help some animals to survive. There are a lot of animal types which are in danger because of their existence. Some just exist in small numbers and in certain parts of the world. With the help of human beings and our science we are able to help those animals in producing a new generation.
All things considered, I really think that zoos do not necessarily have to be cruel. It depends on many things like the size of the zoo, their financial situation and also their ability to handle the animals. If those conditions are given, I think that a zoo can be good way of learning a lot and showing what the animal world is like.

* Dubious torture or essential investigation?

Testing new drugs, vaccines and surgical techniques on live animals is never justified.

Is it really necessary to test on animals? This is the question I want to discuss; therefore I first want to distinguish two types of animal testing. There are tests for the cosmetic industry, which is not justifiable. Why should animals suffer just for our beauty? On the other hand, there are animal tests made for an improvement in science, biology and medicine. These types of animal testing are those I want to discuss.
The main argument for these tests is that without them we wouldn’t be able to survive so many diseases, especially with all the current viruses and infections. It would be just unethical to test on human beings but tests have to be done.
Nevertheless not all tests always have results. It is necessary to experiment several months sometimes even years till they could be applied on humans. It is also known that there have been several examples of substances causing death or injury to human beings because of inadequate animal testing.
A further argument against animal testing is that not all test results could be use for human beings, there is always a risk above all considering that some results are depending on the conditions in which the tests are made, because of the stress caused to the animal. Exactly to impede those kinds of mistakes it is important to keep testing and improve our science and medicine.
As a result of investigation we can state that our science has advanced in the last century. Progress can only be make by doing experiences, investigations, tests and by examine our environment and that includes also the animals. Human testing is also being practice but it is just irresponsible to do it, when it becomes dangerous for their lives. In addition to this we can also state that our science is already at a point where they have developed animal tests without pain.
All things considered it is important to highlight again, that we need those tests to survive the consequences of our lifestyle, which often cause diseases. But if these tests could be done without pain, hurt or kill animals it is even better. At the moment there are some new techniques on the market like testing on cells, tissues or ´in vitro`, which give us hope to prevent animal torture in future.

* A kiss, a blank canvas, criminal charge...

A kiss. Then I saw nothing. Darkness. Everything black around me. I felt her lips running away from mine, I didn’t feel her anymore and I don’t know exactly how much time I laid there, standing in the middle of the gallery. Of course, in any way, I had to wake up, but this wasn’t the better way. The alarm fired and the police came into the room with my chief screaming and gesturing. It was all a fuss and then I remembered my position in the gallery: I was supposed to sweep that room. The broom was on the floor and my body was still warm of desire.
-Where’s the painting?-scream my chief, the owner of the art gallery.
(You must be thinking it is a well-known gallery, but no. I can’t tell you exactly the name, but see it as a permanent exhibition of modern local art, just like the ones you can find in a special corner.)
Only then I realized one painting was missing: A blank canvas that used to be unnoticed for most of the people but not for her. It was her who stole the painting. Many things crossed my mind, specially the fact that she was crazy, but I already knew that for a very long time. This was something she has never done, this could have criminal charge… And what was the purpose?
I put my hands in my pockets and found a note: “From the blackness of the night comes the dawn.” And she was gone. Forever.

* Meet Griet - in 2007

An interview with Griet, “the girl with a Pearl Earring”

1. Hallo Griet, it’s so nice to meet you. How do you feel?
Hallo Tom, I’m feeling great today. I was looking forward to this interview. It is the first since many years. I also have to admit that I’m pretty nervous, I don’t´ like to be the centre of attentions, I’m an introverted person.

2. Okay, I only have a few questions, so it will be over very fast. The first thing I want to know is how your life was like, after the exhibition of your painting?
Well, you know, I had become famous very fast, so everyone knew me. It was difficult because of the mentality of the XVII century, so I had to leave my town - almost forced - to reorganize my life. The culture and lifestyle were completely different at this time. Nowadays people have so much freedom and rights, that at some point it is hard for the younger generation to imagine the world I used to live in.

3. Do you have any regrets about your past? Is there something you won’t do again?
Yes, of course, there is always something you wouldn’t do again. In my case, I think I would try not to fall in love with Vermeer but while we were doing this painting everything had seemed so normal for me. It is obvious that this “romance” couldn’t go very far. I think that finally everything happened like it should be.

* 4. Professionals living and working in another country should adapt to the cultural ways and values of the host country.

Nowadays, cultural differences between people are causing a great deal of controversial debate, especially in a global society where lots of people choose to live and work in a foreign country. The big issue is, should these people adapt to the ideological beliefs and behaviour of the host country, or, doing that, are they consequently denying their own identity and refusing their values?
Firstly, it can be argued that the best way to assimilate and understand a different culture is to pay attention to its customs and acquiring knowledge in terms of, for example, political, religious and traditional background. For example, making a genuine effort to find the positive contributions of a society, learning a few polite expressions and appreciating the food or music of another country, not only will enrich you as a person, but will also create the conditions for the social acceptance.
Secondly, the interaction with a different culture prevents problems such as racism, stereotyping and generalisations. For instance, in many occidental countries, various communities like the Chinese are well integrated, continue to maintain its country’s traditions and contribute to the global knowledge of oriental customs.
However, the adaptation in another culture can have negative consequences, especially when its ideological system contradicts your beliefs. The fact that a UK teacher, Gillian Gibbons, was arrested in Sudan accused of insulting religion for letting her class name a teddy bear Muhammad is an example of this cultural crash.
Another point is, with the integration in another culture and the practise of its uses you can progressively begin to lose your own identity. For example, in the autobiographical book “Persepolis”, Marjane Satrapi illustrates her inner struggle when she moved from Iran to Austria and as she is more and more accepted in the occidental culture, the more she became all she didn’t want to be.
All things concluded, adaptation is not only needed for social acceptance, but also as a way to know a different culture. However, it should not be made at the cost of your own beliefs.

* 4. Professionals living and working in another country should adapt to the cultural ways and values of the host country. Discuss.

Immigration is not a new phenomenon. In the past, the penalties of war forced many people to move from their countries while others saw immigration as an interesting opportunity to enlarge their knowledge by experiencing different cultures.
Nowadays, in addition to the previous occurrences, we face a new kind of immigration, caused by countries’ contrasting levels of economic development. Thus, there are an increasing number of people that choose to live and work in another country. This subject raises an equally interesting and controversial question: should these people adapt to the cultural ways and values of the host country?

Firstly, modern society lives in a world based on globalisation; the protection of a multicultural reality should be everybody’s concern. It is vital for us to keep our own traditions. Nevertheless, contact with other cultures is essential because, in contrast, the lack of it brings ignorance as a harmful effect and, consequently, fear will take place. Having foreigners living in our country is great chance to trade and to learn each others’ customs.
Then, from a political and economic point of view, immigration is highly profitable for the host country. Welcoming immigrants will not only improve the political relations of the host country on an international stage but it will also mean progress, considering the rise of many industries and other economic sectors. For instance, Portugal has many eastern European immigrants that besides being highly skilled, also have a great work ethic, not minding hard work because, in spite of having received a high level of education, their only worry is to have better living conditions so, it’s often felt that if they want to live accordingly to their culture, we shouldn’t interfere.

On the other hand, the fear that immigration causes in people of the host country it is common and explicable. They see it as a threat to their living standards and a menace to their beliefs, resulting from the falling rates of employment, the increasing criminality and violence, the appearance of ghettos and the existence of several and sometimes divergent religions. For example, in France, the use of veils by school girls was the starting point of a collision between opposing beliefs and opinions regarding the women role and place in society.
Furthermore, it is often said that immigrants’ matters should not be an extra responsibility for the government to endure, since it can’t even manage all its other main duties. Moreover, they’re considered an economic burden as well.

Overall, I think that we should respect and embrace our cultural differences because they can only enrich our understanding. Cultures are not bad or good, worse or better, they’re just different. We must esteem human rights such as: freedom of speech, freedom of choice or religious freedom. If we were all tolerant, the expression “adapt to” would not be needed. We should be thankful for having the ability to lend a hand because no one knows if someday they will to need a hand too.

* KNOCK KNOCK Room Number 6 *

Hi girls!
How did the test go? Ok, I hope :)

I’m writing you this post to warn you that the group blogs are going to be evaluated next week. So, we’ve got to update our blog - as soon as possible!

Please, check the list (below) of the work that has been done so far, the works that are missing, etc. If you have to update your posted works, you have the weekend to do it.

By the way, I’m not sure of the list I made and if you have any remarks, please inform the whole group (by commenting this post, e-mailing, or even posting…).

Thank you!