Author Archives: Benjamin

Jews, Feminists, and the Migrant Crisis in Hungary

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I found two details of Holly Case’s talk on the migrant crisis to be of particular interest.

The first, which Professor Case mentioned briefly near the end of her talk, is the newly arising division within the Jewish-Hungarian community. Professor Case mentioned that, somewhat counterintuitively, the Jewish community has split, taking two opposing sides of the debate. One faction, noting the amount of forced relocation in Jewish history, sympathizes with the Middle Eastern migrants and is happy to support their journey into Europe. On the other hand, the second faction feels that for the first time in their histories, due to the xenofobia surrounding the influx of migrants, that they are now seen as true Hungarians, rather than second class citizens; and thus, have taken a stance on the crisis that is characteristic of the right side of the Hungarian political spectrum.

Second, which was also briefly mentioned, was the fact that the aid of the migrants has in some sense taken the shape of a feminist movement. Because Hungarian society is a very patriarchal one, it is not uncommon for Hungarian men to refuse to do the household-like duties needed in aid work. (Organizing clothing, preparing food, etc.) This has caused a large gender-imbalance among the aid workers, and in one village, the aid operation was run entirely by women.

While these are two small anecdotes and they may not be entirely indicative of cultural change, it is fascinating to see how a culture can evolve in the face of a crisis, or at least abnormality.

Thankful for Cornell Dining

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Mass production normally does not imply high quality. When it comes to Cornell dining, however, this axiom is not the case. Serving over 19,000 meals per day, Cornell dining seeks to both sustain and satiate our community— and it does just that.

As Chef Daniel made clear with his stories of watching the dish belt, no detail goes overlooked: the chefs here are committed to their craft, and for them, no job within the kitchen is too small or too meaningless. While Cornell dining is a massive undertaking indeed, it is one approached with a great deal of care.

And it shows. As a transfer, I can say this with some degree of certainty: not all university dining is as good as, or can even compete, with what we are offered here at Cornell. The biggest takeaway, I think, is that we should be thankful.

Blashka: Warning and Inspiration

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I found the presentation on the Blashka to be as alarming as it was inspiring.

The skill of the Blashkas is amazing. The attention to detail, in everything from form to color, reveals both a deep commitment and mastery of their craft. I can’t begin to imagine how—during the 1800s— these works were produced. They even seem to be beyond the reach of technology we have today. And the fact that the Blashkas were able to make these models without viewing photos of the creatures is even more astonishing.

That Dr. Harvell had to search for these species is alarming. Why have we allowed such beauty to vanish from our earth? How can we stop ourselves from causing further destruction and tragedy? As Ben suggested in his post “The Power of Art,” I too believe that art can serve to inspire change.

Admitting to a War Crime

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In his talk last week, Professor Ohlins brought up the difficulties of trying war criminals. Most topical was the case of the United States’s bombing of a Doctors Without Borders hospital. Professor Ohlins mentioned some of the ways the US could be brought to The Hague for trial, one of which was a recommendation from the United Nations Security Council. Being that the US is one of the countries on the Security Council and has a veto, Professor Ohlins noted that the case would never be brought to The Hague through this method.

My question, however, is if it would be a shrewd political move for the United States to put itself on trial for the accidental bombing of the hospital. This would first serve as an actual admittance of wrongdoing in the practical ways that a simple apology from President Obama cannot. And second, this would create a precedent for bringing powerful countries— think Russia—- for their violations. This action would certainly be a difficult choice to make and could cause the United States to lose some stature in the eyes of China and Russia, however, it could create a rule to which every other country would need comply. If the international community is serious about ending war crimes, one country needs to take the lead. In this case, it can be the United States.

Firm or Farm?

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Last week at the Becker-Rose Café, Justine Vanden Heuvel stressed the disconnect between the average American and his food. Since the talk, I have come across the interesting case of Wickard v. Filburn, which, in my opinion, represents a symbolic, if not actual, turning point in the story of how Americans are connected with their food.

In Wickard v. Filburn, the Supreme Court ruled that under the Commerce Clause, the Department of Agriculture had the power to create quotas for wheat growth and subsequently fine farmers who produced more then this quota. In 1941, an Ohio farmer, Roscoe Filburn, produced nearly twice the amount of wheat he was permitted to grow under new Federal law. However, Filburn did not produce this excess wheat so that he could sell it, but rather so he could consume it himself. Despite this discrepancy, Filburn was fined; eventually the case made its way to the Supreme Court. In 1942, SCOTUS ruled that the price control instituted by the Department of Agriculture was constitutional under the Commerce Clause. SCOTUS reason that although Filburn was not selling the excess wheat, the production of the wheat affected the market price of wheat because Filburn no longer needed to purchase grain. This decision effectively rendered all farming under the control of the Federal Government. If the Federal Government can regulate wheat prices down to a single Ohio farmer’s activity, where is the line drawn? In some sense, this case contributed to the demise of sustainable farming and small family farms. As Jim Chen notes in The Story of Wickard v. Filburn: Agriculture, Aggregation, and Commerce, there now exists “but a vowel’s difference between the firm and the farm…”

Injustice on Pine Ridge

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Near the end of his talk, Professor Cheyfitz briefly mentioned the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. Here, in 1890, the United States committed one of its most egregious acts against American Indians: the killing of at least 200 Lakota women and children at Wounded Knee.

Sometime during the middle of the 20th century (I cannot recall exactly when) the Federal Government placed a sign on the reservation at the exact location of the incident; the sign read the “Battle of Wounded Knee.” Members of the Lakota tribe were outraged by this description of a “battle:” they asked if the slaughter of 200 women and children constituted as such. Recently, the sign has been amended. A plate that reads “massacre” now covers “battle.”

I learned this history during two separate month-long visits to the Pine Ridge Reservation in the summers of 2011 and 2012. During these stays I volunteered with a nonprofit that is working to build sustainable housing on the reservation.

The level of poverty I witnessed was astounding. One would never imagine such need exists within our country. At the local high school, lead pipes render the water undrinkable. Public housing is in disrepair, left damaged by springtime tornadoes and harsh winters. The crime rates are shockingly high. Scariest is the frequency of teen suicide.

The injustice did not end in 1890 at Wounded Knee, but rather it continues to this day. If you ever have the chance to go help on Pine Ridge, take it, and continue to spread the word about the hidden poverty that exists within our very borders.

Time is Time

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During his talk tonight, Professor Schwarz brought up many helpful tips on finding and building success. Much of his focus revolved around involvement: leadership in clubs, working in a lab, and playing a sport, among others. He also stressed building relationships with professors and learning interview and other skills needed in the professional world. Oftentimes during the hour, however, I wondered how exactly Professor Schwarz defines success. While the following of all of these steps will make a great resume, they by no means can guarantee happiness or fulfillment. I feel that it is best not to pursue success, but rather let it come around naturally, through the following of a passion. If time is really time, why do we not focus on that at which we love and excel?