According to MSN Encarts Dictionary entry for Paradigm, the second definition is as follows:
2. model that forms basis of something: an example that serves as a pattern or model for something, especially one that forms the basis of a methodology or theory
A set of assumptions, concepts, values, and practices that constitutes a way of viewing reality for the community that shares them, especially in an intellectual discipline.
I generally presume that I am sharing with an intelligent audience that understands the meaning of words that are above third grade level vocabulary. I also presume that my audience can operate and understand how to use a dictionary and not stop at the first entry they see because it does not make sense. If you do not understand something then ask somebody, don't criticize first if you do not truly understand what is going.
Thank you for posting this photo essay, Bob. It gives me hope to see people unite against this particularly ugly oppression.
As for "Somebody’s Mother" (SM), I'd like to start off by saying I'm glad you're not MY mother. She died, rest in peace, but I'd rather her be dead than be you.
That being said, I wasn't aware that the word 'paradigm' was such a "big ol' word," but I suppose it could sound big to someone who doesn’t know what it means. I’m guessing SM doesn’t know what it means, despite suggesting that the author "ought to look up" paradigm. Or maybe they simply didn’t read anything but the title since its use in this article didn’t make "a bit of sense" to them. Although SM probably said so only because they disagreed with the sentiment of the post, I’ll just pretend for a moment that perhaps they misunderstood. I think I understood it, though, so I'll attempt to spell it out for them and others who might not understand.
As Bob just mentioned, "dictionary.com [out of The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language] states the following: 'A set of assumptions, concepts, values, and practices that constitutes a way of viewing reality for the community that shares them, especially in an intellectual discipline.'"
In short, a PARADIGM is A WAY OF VIEWING THE WORLD. Therefore, breaking paradigms would imply rejecting a particular world view in favor of another one.
Honestly, it’s difficult to imagine that minutemen and the people shown above share the same world view, isn’t it? Each camp perceives the other as racist while believing themselves "right," for lack of a better term. Already, we’re looking at disagreement, TWO separate ways of viewing things, each side as passionate as the other/others.
More generally, MM and the border patrol fight to uphold and intensify the current paradigm or value-set that assumes militarizing the border is just in restricting free movement or to keep 'bad things/people out' for security purposes. Though security is important, is this even a necessary path toward increasing it and does this justify the execution and murder of innocent people?
One might argue within that same paradigm that these migrants aren’t innocent at all because they broke the law. But, not all laws are just. People make laws and people are imperfect--sometimes even out for their own interests no matter what the cost. Laws therefore reflect that. However, even if it is somehow criminal to want to survive and make a better life for your children, is murder, further oppression, disposability and dehumanization---by US and/or coyote hand at worse, an unforunate but supposedly 'necessary' casualty at best--what you deserve for trying to live or seek freedom? Freedom. That’s something this country’s government apparently feels quite strongly about, strong enough to 'liberate' Iraq even though it’s on the other side of the planet.
I would venture a guess that the people depicted in the photos above ask some of these questions but find no acceptable answers. So they show their defiance, pounding their fists on fences, straddling the border until the literal becomes extension for the metaphorical. They sit on top of the thing that embodies the oppression they reject most to show that the border is only a manmade line of metal and concrete, not something that is inherently just or right as dictated by the current paradigm. Thus, they are "breaking" the current "border paradigm" that leads to oppression and violence by upholding different "assumptions, concepts, values and practices" from the ones currently imposed. See? It’s really not so "high-sounding" and "educated" at all, nor is it out of context.
chansa
You're wrong. there were people along the 50 mile stretch of border that support the FBP. They were tracking and arresting people forcing their way through our nations door. They were out there, risking their lives, enforcing the laws that the majority of the United States wants enforced. In the four days since September 16, 2005, the Campo Station alone has seen over 400 arrests of illegal aliens from Mexico, EL Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala. They arrested three individuals with ties to the Mara Salvatrucha gang and seized over 400 pounds of marijuana.
Those are the issues our laws are designed to tackle. Sorry, everytime i'm on that dirt road, wearing a bullet-proof vest to protect me from the cartels that wish to snuff me out (and don't argue that there isn't cartel violence immediately south of the fence) I smile when I see those "old" men and women so eager to make sure nobody is trying to rape your wife and hightail it back to Mexico.
This country is not one founded on anarchy or socialism. it will never be. Hurrican katrina was a proving ground for anarchy. it doesn't work. human nature is to want to survive over everybody else. we greed and we want what we can't have. people's throats were cut; others were left to drown; others shot; and other raped and trampled. that's anarchy, for real.
As far as Calexico goes, I'm sorry that the mayor caved into that political pressure. I'm sorry that he saw fit to walk amongst those dragging the American flag, and touting the Mexican flag. Honestly, does he think that Calexico would be growing into what it is now, $400 - 800 K homes, sprouting business, and promising investments if the border had not been put on check over ten years ago? Remember when the City of Calexico nearly declared a state of emergency due to the rising immigration isuses? I remember, and I remember the then-mayor demanding a stronger fence be built around his town, citing Operation Gatekeeper as an example. Strong ties with Mexico are needed, but we are both sovereign countries and that fence is there out of mutual desire.
So, as long as I'm the only federal agent assigned to 10 miles of rugged landscape, assigned to "protect America;" as long as I'm the one agent for 10 miles charged with having to detect and apprehend groups of forty to fifty people invading our country, I say, come all ye who wish to help me.
Agente federal
I suppose George W. Bush will be surprised to hear one of his low level employees in his new Homeland Security Department referring to him as an anarchist! And to learn that his decision to starve the Corps of Engineers for money to fix the dikes was an "anarchist" policy! And his decision to put incompetent country club Republicans into patronage positions heading all the disaster relief operations was "anarchism"! And that letting people starve in open sewers was "Anarchism"!
Also, you'll have a hard time finding any anarchist philosophers who would endorse those things. Those are the fruits of Republicanism, "for real," good sir, not Anarchism.
Flavius Josephus
The Assult!
Thugs yes! Look at their leader Professor Jessie Diaz teaching his students to use violence. There were many assults against the FOBP. The FOBP have recorded over 30 of them on in a 15 minute period. Peacful protest my ass!
I cant believe as a taxpayer, I have to pay for this! Guess what? I wont. Watch the news!
A citizen who is watching them.
