Globalization

Kornbluth

Allie Kornbluth

December 15, 2004

Eisenhower

Research Paper

The world today, is moving at an unprecedented pace. Whether it is at the consumer or corporate level, we are all part of this process. Current trends call for an increased social interdependence. Corporations like the World Bank, World Trade Organization, and the International Monetary Fund strive to promote "globalization". The pressure from Western Culture, demands that people worldwide adapt to our consumer culture. It is only among the elite businessmen, that capitalist- lassies faire activity promises economic success. The more I learn of this vicious system, the more I want to be in the company of freedom and the ocean.

I was born into a very complex, capitalist society. I was born and raised on the south shore of Long Island in a small town called Atlantic Beach. The Atlantic Beach community describes the ocean as their home, and the art of riding waves, their life. At twenty years of age, I am just now learning who I am, and what my role is in our global community. I just voted for my first National election, and have begun the undergraduate commitment. Throughout all of this changing, the one thing that will always remain constant in my life is surfing.

Throughout the centuries America, as well as the rest of the world have been harassed with issues such as unsatisfactory education, lack of job employment, and hunger. Global institutions parallel the government. The rich get richer, and the poor, poorer. The side effects from global marketing, have surfaced in the form of poverty. An unparalleled worldwide middle class has also emerged. As the big systems improve their international net gains, the middle-classes struggle with unemployment.

Surfing is everywhere; it even made its way to the east coast. The meaning of surfing has been transformed by globalization. What once was

Many issues stem from poverty such as hunger and lack of housing. The statistics regarding poverty are alarming. Samana Siddiqi states in an article called "Statistics on poverty and food wastage in America", that there are at least 35 million poor people in America, including 14 million children. It is very hard for people who encounter poverty to be able to take care of their children, or even yet own a house. There are many foundations set up to relieve this, but it seems that the problem never goes away. "The American government has a surplus money, which could go towards poverty elimination nationally, and globally," (Siddiqi). Yes, this would be the easiest solution, but of course the government wouldn't do that. Instead we have had to develop other organizations like the Habitat for Humanity and the Mercy Corps.

This past semester, there were many times I resented going to class. There were so many mornings where the waves were in perfect condition. Instead of competing for grades, I wanted to race the currents. It is a feeling that cannot be given, but has to be earned through appreciation of the energy in our natural world. All I ever want is to paddle out away from the chaos of the world, and find peace for the day. The spirit of soul surfing that has found a home in Atlantic Beach dates back to the origins of the Hawaiians. It is not a surprise to learn that big money institutions have found a way to capitalize the surf culture.

It is important to note that many organizations that have been established to try and control these terrible problems. These organizations include the Rivers Foundations, Surf-Rider Foundation, Habitat of Humanity, and the Walk of Hunger. There are many other marvelous foundations that seek justice and help victims of our corrupt society.

Habitat for Humanity strives on having volunteers build houses for people who can not afford them. This organization is international, as well as non-profit. "Habitat has built more than 150,000 houses around the world, providing more than 750,000 people in more than 3,000 communities with safe, decent, affordable shelter," (www.habitat.org). The houses are very inexpensive for the people living in them, costing as low as $800 in developing countries and ranging to an average of $46,600 in the United States. Habitat for Humanity can afford to build a house every 26 minutes because of the wonderful volunteers they have, as well as the donations and mortgages of the people who own the houses.

The Mercy Corps is also a non-profit organization that helps out with poverty and oppression. It offers services such as emergency relief if the poor people encounter danger or health needs. The mercy corps is also similar to the Habitat for Humanity because they too also build houses and establish communities for those in need. "Since 1979, Mercy Corps has provided over $710 million in assistance to 76 nations," (www.mercycorps.org). Seven hundred and ten million dollars is a tremendous amount of help, considering it is coming from the people and not from the government. Sure, the government puts in some money, but if they wanted to abolish poverty overall, then they should take some of the money and help their citizens out. Instead, they use it to go to war and other ridiculous profitable gains.

Hunger is a huge problem that occurs within the United States, as well as the rest of the world. Unfortunately with all of the foundations set up to try and control this issue, it is still prevalent in today's society. Unemployment is directly linked to hunger, because without a sufficient income, food is hard to come by. In a way, these problems that exist in America can be compared to the animal food chain. In order to conquer these problems, we must start with the largest component. For hunger, that happens to be unemployment.

Another issue that happens with hunger is the waste of food that America throws away. According to statistics, America is the #1 country for food waste; food that could easily be given to food pantry's or even the people themselves. "According to a 1997 study by Us Department of Agriculture's Economic Research Service, about 96 billion pounds of food, or more than a quarter of the 356 billion pounds of edible food available for human consumption