Summary Five

“Civic Ecology, Urban Elders, and New York City’s Community Garden Movement” by Jay Sokolovsky

In the article “Civic Ecology, Urban Elders, and New York City’s Community Garden Movement” by Jay Sokolovsky, the importance of Community Garden’s are discussed. Sokolovsky mentions the history of community gardens which entails how the community garden has developed. Sokolovsky addresses the benefits of community gardens.

                Community Gardens have proved their worth throughout history.  Not only that, but they have developed. “During the Great Depression of the 1930’s, New York City’s welfare department, in conjunction with the federal Works Project Administration, sponsored almost 5,000 ‘relief’ gardens on vacant public land.” [Sokolovsky, 245] This is just one example of how a community garden has developed because planting and providing food is just one aspect of what makes up a modern community garden. “During World War II, all available New York City owned land became available for ‘Victory Gardens.’” [Sokolovsky, 245] The earliest forms of Community Gardens were later halted after other methods of obtaining food came about and after the war ended.

                “What I began to see were community-created public spaces beckoning those who entered to transcend the traditional barriers of wealth, ethnicity, and age.” [Sokolovsky, 248] This is just one benefit of a community garden. It teaches others to let go of what keeps members of the community separated. In a garden everyone can come together and learn to plant or enjoy the beauty of nature. Sokolovsky states that he has never seen people of different ethnicities in a community mingle so easy with one another. “In 2003, I observed a 12-year-old boy who sought refuge in a well-established garden from a difficult foster-care setting.” [Sokolovsky, 248] The garden also acts as a safe haven for children and keeps them off the street. Imagine what would happen if that boy didn’t have the support of the members of the garden.

                I never realized what a community garden can do to bring people of the community together. Members that usually wouldn’t associate themselves with others are able to cross that bridge because of the garden. It represents a middle ground where people come together to beautify their community. The bonds that are created can make living much more pleasant.

“Caste, Politics, and Criminality in Urban India” by Jeffrey Witsoe

                Almost every country within the world has one strong connection, how little power the lower class has. The lower class must find some way to rise against the oppression or forever be oppressed. They have to idly stand by and watch as upper class people ruin their country. In the article “Caste, Politics, and Criminality in Urban India” by Jeffrey Witsoe, there is a focus on the plight of the lower caste and how they have risen in the world of politics. Witsoe explains how the lower caste gained power within Urban India through dirty politics.  

                In the city of Patna, the politicians, police, and criminals work together to gain money. The police overlook the crimes while the criminals give a cut of their money to the politicians. Not only did some politicians get a cut, but some were the leaders of criminal organization in charge of kidnapping. These politicians were known as “mafia” politicians. These politicians and their lackeys went through a trial and error process when it came to kidnapping. “The first victims were wealth business families. Eventually, however, these families either left the state or paid off powerful politicians to gain protection.” [Witsoe, 271] Their first target was a failure so they moved on to state-owned electricians. When that failed, the next targets were doctors, which also failed. Their last choice was professors and in the end it also failed. Even though people wanted these kidnappings to end, it never did, and many continued to vote for these dirty politicians.  Why would the people of a country willfully vote for corrupt politicians? “Most of the kidnapping and other criminal activities, in contrast were being carried out by new entrants on the scene: lower- politics.” [Witsoe, 272] Just as the upper-caste supports and protects their people, the lower caste does the same. They do not target their own caste, but rather upper-caste who are involved with government corruption in education health care, and so forth.

                At first when I read this, I thought that the upper caste politicians were kidnapping upper-caste citizens. But, when I re-read it, I realized it was the lower-caste. I find it quite sad that even though they are of the same nationality, they are so divided. They don’t protect each other, but rather people in the same caste. This can only cause turmoil or death. They should plant some community gardens maybe that would help bring some peace. If it works in America, then it can work in other countries too.

“The Extended Community Migration and Transformation in Tzintzuntzan, Mexico” by Robert V. Kemper

                “The Extended Community Migration and Transformation in Tzintzuntzan, Mexico”, by Robert V. Kemper takes the reader on the journey of growth. Kemper was there to the small village grow. Even though people left the village for a new life, they still wanted to part of their village. Kemper addresses why the people of Tzintzuntzan, Mexico migrated and how they remained the “extended community.”

                One of the main reasons why the people of Tzintzuntzan leave the village is for a better life. They wish to make a better salary which in turn will help them live a more comfortable life.  There are many other reasons why the people leave. For example, the reason why Emiliano Guzman left was because of the lack of progress. There are limited jobs available, that is the reason Jose Zavala left even though he enjoyed the peacefulness of the village. Some people just don’t want to be poor or follow in the uneducated footsteps of their parents. In the end, it all comes down to a better life. Older people of Tzintzuntzan are not the only ones leaving the village. The younger ones are leaving to seek an advanced education so they can find elite jobs in Mexico City and other urban areas. “For many people in Tzintzuntzan migration has become the default option, with remaining in the village a distant second choice.” [Kemper, 290] Everyone wants a better life even if that means leaving the place they grew up.

                “First, I am struck particularly by how hard it has become to define who is and who is not a resident of Tzintzuntzan.” [Kemper, 294] Even though many members of the Tzintzuntzan leave, the members do not consider them migrants. They are still part of their home, but are simply working to gain that better life that everyone dreams of. Another factor is the fact that it easy to return because of the advancement of transportation. The members return to have the baptisms, first communions, and confirmations. That way they remain connected to the village. Even though the youngsters leave for higher education, they still return to their village even after getting good jobs.

                I was really surprised at how loyal the people of Tzintzuntzan are. Even though they left, they always returned. They want to remain as part of the village. I believe they are very humble because they didn’t forget where they came from after getting better jobs and what not.