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Bryan Stevenson - 11/26/19
Bryan Stevenson’s talk at UConn was definitely my favorite Global Studies event so far. I thought he was an incredible speaker, and I found his story and his message very powerful. The event was super interesting, and I learned a lot about reforming our criminal justice system, something that I have always been interested in and passionate about. I also got a copy of his book Just Mercy, at the event. I am really exited to read it, but I haven't found the time to yet. |
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Dorje Dolma - 11/7/19
Dorje's assembly and masterclass with CAP and Global Studies was really interesting. I am really interested in learning about the daily lives of those in cultures very different to mine, so I really enjoyed hearing about life in a remote Nepalese village. The parallels between her experiences coming to America, and those of the Lee family, who's story we read about over the summer, were very interesting as well. |
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CT World Affairs Council - Vincente Fox - 11/1/19
I really enjoyed the event last week, I felt that it was not too serious but it still managed to touch on a lot of really important topics. I found it very interesting to hear what a former world leader had to say about the direction we are moving in economically in North America, and especially in Mexico, the county that he was formerly the president of. I like hearing about his regrets as a leader and what he thinks the new government can do better.
I really agree with his point that the best solution to immigration disputes is not to build a wall and ban people from entering the country, but to support the economic development of Mexico, so that workers don't necessarily need to come to the U.S. Despite this, I don't really see a problem with Mexican workers immigrating to the U.S., other than the fact that it shows us that opportunity is scarce in Mexico and that supporting the growth of Mexico’s economy would be beneficial to all sides. Job opportunities and the economy in Mexico would improve, benefiting the U.S. and Canada through NAFTA and other trade deals, as well as solving the supposed problem of Mexican workers immigrating in large numbers to the U.S.
For the most part, I also really liked what he had to say about the legalization of drugs and especially marajuana. In the U.S., it is legal to consume alcohol if you are over the age of 21. However, despite the fact that generally alcohol is significantly more damaging to an adult user, it is completely legal. Our criminal justice system treats alcoholism as a disease, and a mental health issue, but when looking at addiction to drugs like marajuana, addictions are seen as a crime and people are sentenced to years in prison for what should be, strictly a mental health issue. I do feel that in the case of drugs such as heroin, cocaine, etc. they do pose a significantly larger threat to the user and should be regulated. However, instead of sending these people off to trial, we should focus more on rehabilitation, education, and continuing that effort to keep them off dangerous drugs even after they have finished rehabilitation. I think that, the most important aspect of a rehabilitation focused drug policy is the continued support of patients as well as non-patients all throughout their lives to keep them off of seriously harmful drugs.
I really enjoyed the event last week, I felt that it was not too serious but it still managed to touch on a lot of really important topics. I found it very interesting to hear what a former world leader had to say about the direction we are moving in economically in North America, and especially in Mexico, the county that he was formerly the president of. I like hearing about his regrets as a leader and what he thinks the new government can do better.
I really agree with his point that the best solution to immigration disputes is not to build a wall and ban people from entering the country, but to support the economic development of Mexico, so that workers don't necessarily need to come to the U.S. Despite this, I don't really see a problem with Mexican workers immigrating to the U.S., other than the fact that it shows us that opportunity is scarce in Mexico and that supporting the growth of Mexico’s economy would be beneficial to all sides. Job opportunities and the economy in Mexico would improve, benefiting the U.S. and Canada through NAFTA and other trade deals, as well as solving the supposed problem of Mexican workers immigrating in large numbers to the U.S.
For the most part, I also really liked what he had to say about the legalization of drugs and especially marajuana. In the U.S., it is legal to consume alcohol if you are over the age of 21. However, despite the fact that generally alcohol is significantly more damaging to an adult user, it is completely legal. Our criminal justice system treats alcoholism as a disease, and a mental health issue, but when looking at addiction to drugs like marajuana, addictions are seen as a crime and people are sentenced to years in prison for what should be, strictly a mental health issue. I do feel that in the case of drugs such as heroin, cocaine, etc. they do pose a significantly larger threat to the user and should be regulated. However, instead of sending these people off to trial, we should focus more on rehabilitation, education, and continuing that effort to keep them off dangerous drugs even after they have finished rehabilitation. I think that, the most important aspect of a rehabilitation focused drug policy is the continued support of patients as well as non-patients all throughout their lives to keep them off of seriously harmful drugs.
