The purpose of this blog is to encourage dialogue among students of Advanced Placement Literature. It provides an opportunity to express and exchange ideas that arise from daily readings and discussion of literature. Students will understand that literature provides a mirror to help us understand ourselves and others; literature is the thematic thread connecting the human condition from age to age; and literature deals with universal themes.
This video was extremely eye-opening. To read about the Congo and to hear stories about it is one thing, but to actually see it is a whole different ball game. Before reading "The Poisonwood Bible" and watching this video, my idea of Africa always was visions of the Sahara Desert and the treeless savanna grasslands. Now however I am introduced to the dense jungles of Africa that are teaming with life. I have a whole new mental image whenever i think about this amazing continent. Anthony Bourdain's show truly makes me thankful for where I have been brought up in this world. The environment in which the Congolese inhabit, both in regards to nature and politics, in unlike anything in America.There were a few things that particularly stuck out to me. One being the sheer amount of rebel groups that called the eastern borderlands their home. When Bourdain began talking about this topic I expected there to be two maybe three different groups. My estimate was very low. The second was the quote the gentleman gave at the research facility that the colonial period was "the good times". All throughout "The Poisonwood Bible" I felt that times almost could not get worse for the Congolese. Though seeing where they are now I am very saddened. Lastly, everyone that Anthony Bourdain interviewed was cheerful and had a smile on their face. No one was having a pity party for themselves or complaining how challenging their situations were, instead they all had such a deep pride and upbeat demeanor.
Thanks for your response. Seeing the Congo is very different from reading about it! Everything is relative.....the "good times" aren't so good sometimes.
The Documentary overall showed much insight on the conditions of the Congo now, compared to the conditions the Congo was in during as a Belgian Colony under the reign of King Leopold II. There were some things in this video that I found interesting. One was that until now, I never really thought about the enormity of the Congo, shown in the days-long boat ride from 27:30 to 38:00. Another thing that really got me was the optimism and endurance the Congolese people had; for instance, when Bourdain went to Kisangani Station, where he saw the workers there trying to keep things running, or at least, from decaying.
Thanks for responding. Yes, things are insurmountable. The country and the continent are enormous! Like Seth said, the Congolese need to band together to improve their lot.
This video really makes you realize how much Americans take for granted. We go through each day without any struggle to eat, bathe, or drink clean water whereas the Congolese drink, bathe and clean their clothes all in the same place. We complain about things like bad internet connection or no cell phone service when people in the Congo can't even dream about those type of luxuries. The Congolese rarely buy meat because they can't afford it with their daily $2 wages while we wait two weeks in line to by the new iPhone. It's crazy to me how different personal desires become based on where you live. The character that these people have is also shocking. They shine with joy, pride, and thankfulness comparable to those in America who come home to $400,000 homes and complain about their steak dinner being cooked the wrong way. The perserverance of the people of the Congo is remarkable to say the least as they have to work 10x as hard as wealthier countries for such little results. From the workers at the railroad working day in and day out, some without pay, to preserve their one railroad car to the workers of the library that strive to keep the books from the Belgian time period in good enough shape to read and admire the dedication seen is sensational.
Thanks for your post. Yes, we do take things for granted.You are right about how cheerful the Congolese are despite the lack of material possessions they have. Mrs. Ignatius
This video gave me a deeper understanding of The Poisonwood Bible. I have a more accurate view of the setting and atmosphere. It revealed how broken down the land was and how poorly the people were treated. Some parts of the video were inspirational because many of the Congolese had such a good attitude about the future. They looked forward and hoped for the best. Some Congolese went to work even though they were not being paid, just to keep the system going in case a miracle happened and situations got better. This made me think of The Poisonwood Bible because many of the characters just kept working even though their children died, or they had a disability.
The video was very insightful. It exposed some of the same political injustices that were part of The Poisonwood Bible. I was shocked to learn that so many Congolese died due to King Leopold’s greedy actions. Prior to watching this documentary I had no idea that a holocaust had occurred in the Congo. It’s disheartening to see a nation with so many resources become poverty-stricken due to foreigners. The scenes showing deteriorated buildings, towns, and the train station really exhibited how the nation has declined. I knew that the Congo was a poor country, but hadn't truly grasped how little the Congolese really have until now. It was awful to see that so many people live in cheap tents, get caught in the middle of violent rebel conflicts, and struggle to attain food. I couldn't believe that most natives don’t even get to eat meat! I am very grateful that I live in the United States and don’t have to struggle to survive. A few aspects that I found interesting were the Congolese cuisine and the way they fish. It was fascinating to actually see the food being prepared and I thought their method of catching fish was very creative. In addition, I noticed that the Congolese had positive attitudes, even though they faced great hardships. It was amazing to see that the people remained optimistic despite the fact that they have very little and live in a county filled with problems. The nation has been through so much, but the people remain strong.
This video certainly did unveil the 'Parts Unknown' within the Congo and uncovered much political history in Africa. Within the Poisonwood Bible, we were exposed to slight politics in regards to the Congo's fight for independence. However, the video showed the tragic downfall of the Congo, in extensive detail,after Lumumba's assassination. Wars, debt and overall deterioration of the Congo occurred under the reign of Mobutu. However, this did not even slightly alter the Congolese way of living. As stated, the Europeans used the Congo River for extensive trade operations; But the Congolese continually used the river for basic daily purposes, even after the war. One quote that particularly struck me was one of a Congolese man who stated "Things change quickly in the Congo." This fact was illustrated quite plainly as everything from government and tourism to the weather changed in a moment's notice. In our own nation, we're not used to those type of drastic, quick changes. Which goes to show that the attitude of the Congolese is one we should adopt: A humble, modest outlook even through the most difficult times.
Never before have I glimpsed into the the life of a residents of the African Congo. In "Poison-wood Bible" the events relayed were not real in my eyes. Now opened I can see the struggles of the Congolese. In constant danger from rebel groups, a land filled with turmoil is the remnant of what it once was. Once resource rich , although Belgian controlled, a source of travel through the railroads and mostly funded by the government. Ironically independence brought despair and murder when Patrice Lumumba is killed shortly after being a elected. Resulting conditions, after his death and the election of Joseph Desire Mobutu was a downward spiral that led to many deaths. The Congo has sadly not recovered as seen in this video, causing a tear in my heart.One must ask what significant changes can be made to increase the quality of life and stability? My belief like Anatole's in Poison-wood bible is education to the people to show how to take control of the country correctly. To state further, funding would also be beneficial and in many cases life changing to the impoverished people of the Congo. Adding the ability to have better housing, refrigeration , and water purification all major issues illustrated in this video.
This video was very insightful to the life of the Congolese and none of it was what I expected. While I was reading "The Poisonwood Bible" I pictured sparsely populated villages along the river in which people could have a fair amount of personal space. Yet, in this video, the depiction of these villages seem to be the opposite. People can't escape the company of others as they fight to collect basic necessities to survive, such as fish at the market place. After watching this video, I feel rather inferior to the people of the Congo. They can dive into the rapids of the Congo River to catch fish from their homemade traps. They walk to the river to collect buckets of water which they must then bring back to their home to boil before they can use it due to its impurities. And yet, we live in a society that found it necessary to invent a faucet that you don't even have to touch for it to dispense clean, safe water. I like the narrator of the video. He shows an outsider's perspective of the country and displays how difficult it would be for an American to even understand how the Congolese live. It is remarkable how the people of this region seem to have this resilient spirit. After they have experienced genocide, rebellions, foreigners' claims to what is not theirs, they still work until they bleed to sustain a life in which they hope for a miracle. Although they do not have a functioning government, the Congolese people in this video seem mentally and physically stronger than Americans.
This documentary was extremely eye-opening to me. It's hard to believe that I was so ignorant (and still am for that matter) of everything that has happened in the Congo. I feel like this history is so important, and yet I don't recall ever learning these things. It makes me wonder what else I don't know about the world. I thought I had a very clear picture in my mind about the Congo. Seeing it in this documentary came as a complete shock to me. If the Congolese are lucky, they may earn $2 a day. Many people my age complain about their $8 an hour. These people rarely eat meat, because it is so expensive. So many people here eat meat every day. The Congolese go out and catch their food and we just go to a grocery store. Everyone there seemed to know each other and to rely on each other. I don't know about you, but I barely know two of my neighbors. In the Congo, there are people who show up at work everyday with no pay. They do their work diligently, trying to preserve what they have and hoping for change. The books in the library. They were so valued and the man worked hard to keep as nice as he could. The conditions in the Congo are so sad and unbelievable to me. Their neighboring country of Rwanda is so much better. It shocks me too see the dramatic change between the two countries. The documentary just makes me very grateful to live in the USA, where I have so many blessings.
This video shows how mistreated the Congolese people have been over the years. It tells of how many were starved, killed, enslaved, and abused which makes me really think about how lucky America has been to not have been terrorized by other countries this way. They were even given rules by Belgium that they could not walk their streets after dark or enter the restaurants/other businesses except as help. They went through all this discrimination in their own country. Despite all of this, the Congolese are so optimistic about their situations and their country. These people have such a hard time getting materials to live by, their government doesn't pay its' bills, and the trains often stop. The country has nearly nothing. It didn't seem like this in the Poisonwood Bible, where the Congolese seemed to like their way of life just fine and hate the Price's ideas.
I have always read about the living situations and neglect that the Congo and Africa as a whole has experienced, but it was completely different to view footage of it. It is hard to imagine such a place when one only has assumptions to refer to, and this video has made it crystal clear that it is next to impossible to understand what it must be like to live in the Congo. It is apparent that the lifestyle in which the people endure is vastly different from one we are used to. As Anthony Bourdain stated, things can change in the blink of an eye and nothing quite goes as scheduled. Just at the beginning of the video, the footage revealed how fascinated the children were with seeing the cameras, an object that must be scarce in the region. This makes me realize how fortunate we all are to live in America. Even the most poor people living here have it good as compared to those living in poverty in Africa. It is sad to watch that Anthony and his filming crew must stock up on food because such delicacies we all take for granted would soon not be available as they leave the outskirts of the Congo. I also couldn't imagine living day by day not knowing if my safety was in jeopardy or if a new rebel group would threaten my existence. The number of rebel groups competing for power and land is well beyond my expectations. How difficult it must be to maintain the slightest bit of order in a country that has many different groups rebelling against a system and each other. It is also interesting to learn the history behind Stanley the explorer and why the Congo has been at a disadvantage ever since King Leopold's rule. It's unfortunate that with just a bit of modern technology the train station could be up and running, but at this point no help has come. The Congo could be much more developed with the possession of slightly more modern objects to help them move forward.
I'm so glad I watched this video. Seeing pictures and footage of the Congo made me realize how many trivial things that I depend on on a daily basis. Also, it showed how little progress has been made since decades ago when "The Poisonwood Bible" took place. While I was reading the novel, I pictured a poor, run-down civilization, filled with the broken-down spirits of the Congolese. Although the locals surprisingly have optimistic attitudes now, the country is still plagued by the structures left behind by the Belgians. By now, I figured the Congo would be at least a little bit more developed, but after seeing this video, I can see they have a long way to go. The fact that the U.S. government played a central role in the current condition of the Congolese makes me sick to my stomach. Hopefully, a responsible developed country will intervene soon and establish order in the Congo before the hardworking individuals' spirits run out.
This video has changed my mind about many issues going on in the modern world. The statement "You really don't understand something until you see it." It's one thing to hear about a situation or read about it, but to see a first-hand perspective visual on it, was life-changing. It's sad what the people of the Congo struggle through on a daily basis. The fact the Congo isn't even the only third-world nation experiencing these struggles is disheartening. It's evident that change needs to occur, and quickly. The overall message of the video, is that an expectation can be so wrong in so many ways. I am so enlightened by this. This is Carlos Bautista by the way, I don't know why that is still my username.
This video was shocking, yet very eye-opening. When I first read "The Poisonwood Bible", I pictured the Congo as home to run down villages with little to no technological innovations. However, the video displayed the Congo as full of shambled cities all with rich thriving histories. One thing I found surprising was the current location of the cities, at the bottom of a volcano. The Congolese people not only run the risk of volcanic eruption, but the cities are infused with rebellious groups, making them a "red zone." What was once a tourist town, attracting actors and actresses, is now a shambled city full of uninhabitable hotels and a complete lack of stable, dependable electricity. The Congolese people work day after day writing endless requests for funding to the government for their books and travel train system, and end up with basically no government involvement. However, I found it inspiring how dedicated and immovable the Congolese are in their hope that their society will be whole again and return to the good days in Congolese history.
I'm shocked to see how oblivious we are about life in the Congo and other third world countries. While us Americans and other westerners worry about getting the latest iPhone and the newest pair of Jordans, the Congolese people worry about getting food on the table. It is sad to see that no one is helping the Congo after it was left in such terrible condition by the Belgian.
This video was so astonishing and insightful. Though I have read and watched videos on African issues, this video has impacted me the most. The video reminded me how much I take for granted the resources in my daily life such as water, food, or money. It is unimaginable how horrible the condition of the Congo are, yet it seems very unimportant to America and other countries with great wealth to support them and help them in a large crisis of need. Though the stereotype for Africa is "rundown" and "shambled" it truly was depicted in that reality. The actual footage made these villages look even worse than I imagined. It was crazy to think that people would live on top of lava and next to active volcanoes just to have a place to call their own. But, it is amazing how historic these places are. It is even more amazing how average Congolese preserve places such as the library and the train station without pay due to insufficient funds from the government! I also love how dedicated and optimistic the Congolese are about these conditions eventually being fixed.
This video really struck me on how Congo is in a horrible, desperate condition yet the Congolese are optimistic and are looking forward to a bright future. After watching this video, I can now visualize the scenes and the setting that was described in the Poisonwood Bible. One of the many things that stood out was very gray both environmentally and economically, after the volcano eruption and independence from Belgium. Most Congolese earn barely $2 a day, but some goes to work with no pay in order to save the train station and the library and in hopes for the government to support them for new equipment for the train station to run again. These Congolese people are trying to save what they are left with, while we, in first world countries, are busy throwing away or replacing our things that do not work and that we do not like to better things.
Watching this video was not at all how I pictured the Congo. I pictured run down huts, not tents. I pictured people wearing traditional clothing , not torn up modern shirts and shorts. Most importantly, I pictured the Congolese to have much more than what they have. We live in a country where we take soap and water for granted, and we almost always know when our next meal is. But for these people, those come far and few between. One of the most interesting things I found in this video was that if anyone acquired money, the first thing they would buy is soap. Then clothes, followed by food. Again, all things that we take for granted here. I also admire these people for surviving what they have been through and still have the power to push forward, still strong and united. They rebuild train stations, and preserve their library filled with decades of records and files on their history. I truly hope that one day these people get the what they deserve, because after all of the struggles they have been through, they deserve a fighting chance.
This video gave me insight into how life is in the DRC, something the Poisonwood Bible was not completely able to do. I was both sad and disheartened that the Congolese people barely make enough money to buy minimum amounts of food. It is hard to imagine that hardly any items in the Congo were built within the last 50 or so years, since the Belgians left. Living in the United States, we take for granted resources such as the internet, where as in the Congo, as shown in the video, has a limited supply of items such as books. It's unbelievable to me that no developed country has stepped in to try and lead the DRC toward a self-sustaining economy.
This video was a very harsh but necessary look at a region filled with people and culture that rarely ever makes it to national news here. It is disappointing to turn on the news and see the latest celebrity gossip and never even see any mention of the situation here. The Poisonwood Bible described the villages and people quite well, but nothing can show you the despair and poverty as a video can. In the video you see people working extremely hard just to afford soap and food, but they still appreciate the clothes they have and try to stay hopeful which should set an example to the people in developed countries who complain about unnecessary aspects of life.
It's interesting and sad to see that the current state of the Congo is a direct consequence of the west's greed and actions. I went into the video with some mindset of what it would be (having seen the state of other third world countries in the past). It started out exactly as I had thought it would, but as the video progressed I saw that the Congo is worse of than some other third world countries currently. I salute the patriotism with which the Congolese work at the library and the station with no pay and just a hope for a better future. We do take things for granted, and this video should be an eye-opener to all of us that what the Congolese and a billion other people are suffering from throughout the world may very well be our fate one day. So the question is how will we react in such a situation? Will we be as calm and patient as the Congolese or will we fall to savage behavior? The video definitely helped with the visualization of some the scenes and places mentioned in the Poisonwood Bible, like the river, and the jungle, the small unstable houses.
Watching this video really made me realize how little we know about the Congo. We can read about it in “The Posionwood Bible” and watch countless videos that will only give us a few minutes of insight. But in the end, we are all still here sitting on our nice computers and our main worry is about getting an assignment turned in on time. Meanwhile, the people who deserve it the most barely get paid $2 an hour. That was the most shocking thing to me because in America, money is everything to us and getting paid the $7.79 is the worst it can get but imagine working to get nothing, knowingly. This video has really made me wake up and be thankful for all I do have, how many worries I don’t even think about, the same worries that others, in other parts of the world, think about daily. Those things aren’t something you learn about in school. They’re things most of us will never be able to relate to or understand fully, it’s not something that is really talked about here. I found it really touching and inspiring how through all that, they were still joyful and optimistic about the whole situation, which is probably the exact opposite of how we would be if we were in the same situation. If anything, they deserve all the things we have more than we do.
The video totally skewed my vision of the book(Poisonwood Bible). Maybe i just didn't read it accurately but in my mind I pictured the Congo as more run down and almost desert like with more sand. I understand that some, and by some I mean very few, technological advances have been made since their Independence, but I was not expecting all of what they had. Their major transportation system was water which wasn't surprising since the Congo River is a dominating factor of the area. I wasn't expecting them to have trains at all in the Congo. I expected wood barely stable enough for a home with sand all around the outer edges. Though they also travel in the air by plane or in a car, Ferry or boat are the popular choices with a close swimming. I knew the river was major but when watching the video I couldn't fathom at how wide and long it actually is. Referring back to the book Poisonwood Bible, I can visually see everyone trying to jump into the water when they are all covered by ants. I found this video interesting and also extremely difficult to even begin trying to share compassion with the Congolese because I have never been in a situation like so. That's about it.
It's nice to see insight on the modern day Congo, even through the Imperialistic ideals imposed on them they still carry on and strive to rebuild there country. The video shows a historical perspective on what the Congo has gone through, from the colonial rule of the Belgians to the post-colonial internal conflict the historical aspect of the video always provides a background to anything they explain. The recognition of this video also helps the visualization of the Poisonwood Bible as they show some of the natives and their traditions. The Congo is also compared to the works of other former colonies of Europe such as Rwanda, which has been fairly modernized in contrast to the Congo. In the end, the videos main focus is to bring to attention the destruction of the Congo due to the inability to come together and form a union to represent their vast region. This region of Africa has a long road before becoming able to better their current economical situation.
The video was eye opening to not only the Congo's problems but also the blending of cultures. The villages Bourdain visited are prime examples of this merge. The Wakinya tribe's use of traditional fishing methods while wearing modern cloths illustrates their independence and at the same time acknowledging modern advancements. The King Bourdain visits with later in the journey wears a normal suit but is accompanied with a traditional chief's headdress. It shows the balance that can be found when two cultures merge.
This video was extremely eye-opening. To read about the Congo and to hear stories about it is one thing, but to actually see it is a whole different ball game. Before reading "The Poisonwood Bible" and watching this video, my idea of Africa always was visions of the Sahara Desert and the treeless savanna grasslands. Now however I am introduced to the dense jungles of Africa that are teaming with life. I have a whole new mental image whenever i think about this amazing continent.
ReplyDeleteAnthony Bourdain's show truly makes me thankful for where I have been brought up in this world. The environment in which the Congolese inhabit, both in regards to nature and politics, in unlike anything in America.There were a few things that particularly stuck out to me. One being the sheer amount of rebel groups that called the eastern borderlands their home. When Bourdain began talking about this topic I expected there to be two maybe three different groups. My estimate was very low. The second was the quote the gentleman gave at the research facility that the colonial period was "the good times". All throughout "The Poisonwood Bible" I felt that times almost could not get worse for the Congolese. Though seeing where they are now I am very saddened. Lastly, everyone that Anthony Bourdain interviewed was cheerful and had a smile on their face. No one was having a pity party for themselves or complaining how challenging their situations were, instead they all had such a deep pride and upbeat demeanor.
Thanks for your response. Seeing the Congo is very different from reading about it! Everything is relative.....the "good times" aren't so good sometimes.
DeleteThe Documentary overall showed much insight on the conditions of the Congo now, compared to the conditions the Congo was in during as a Belgian Colony under the reign of King Leopold II. There were some things in this video that I found interesting. One was that until now, I never really thought about the enormity of the Congo, shown in the days-long boat ride from 27:30 to 38:00. Another thing that really got me was the optimism and endurance the Congolese people had; for instance, when Bourdain went to Kisangani Station, where he saw the workers there trying to keep things running, or at least, from decaying.
ReplyDeleteThanks for responding. Yes, things are insurmountable. The country and the continent are enormous! Like Seth said, the Congolese need to band together to improve their lot.
ReplyDeleteThis video really makes you realize how much Americans take for granted. We go through each day without any struggle to eat, bathe, or drink clean water whereas the Congolese drink, bathe and clean their clothes all in the same place. We complain about things like bad internet connection or no cell phone service when people in the Congo can't even dream about those type of luxuries. The Congolese rarely buy meat because they can't afford it with their daily $2 wages while we wait two weeks in line to by the new iPhone. It's crazy to me how different personal desires become based on where you live. The character that these people have is also shocking. They shine with joy, pride, and thankfulness comparable to those in America who come home to $400,000 homes and complain about their steak dinner being cooked the wrong way. The perserverance of the people of the Congo is remarkable to say the least as they have to work 10x as hard as wealthier countries for such little results. From the workers at the railroad working day in and day out, some without pay, to preserve their one railroad car to the workers of the library that strive to keep the books from the Belgian time period in good enough shape to read and admire the dedication seen is sensational.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your post. Yes, we do take things for granted.You are right about how cheerful the Congolese are despite the lack of material possessions they have.
DeleteMrs. Ignatius
This video gave me a deeper understanding of The Poisonwood Bible. I have a more accurate view of the setting and atmosphere. It revealed how broken down the land was and how poorly the people were treated. Some parts of the video were inspirational because many of the Congolese had such a good attitude about the future. They looked forward and hoped for the best. Some Congolese went to work even though they were not being paid, just to keep the system going in case a miracle happened and situations got better. This made me think of The Poisonwood Bible because many of the characters just kept working even though their children died, or they had a disability.
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting your thoughts. The attitude of the Congolese is remarkable! Mrs. Ignatius
DeleteThe video was very insightful. It exposed some of the same political injustices that were part of The Poisonwood Bible. I was shocked to learn that so many Congolese died due to King Leopold’s greedy actions. Prior to watching this documentary I had no idea that a holocaust had occurred in the Congo. It’s disheartening to see a nation with so many resources become poverty-stricken due to foreigners. The scenes showing deteriorated buildings, towns, and the train station really exhibited how the nation has declined. I knew that the Congo was a poor country, but hadn't truly grasped how little the Congolese really have until now. It was awful to see that so many people live in cheap tents, get caught in the middle of violent rebel conflicts, and struggle to attain food. I couldn't believe that most natives don’t even get to eat meat! I am very grateful that I live in the United States and don’t have to struggle to survive. A few aspects that I found interesting were the Congolese cuisine and the way they fish. It was fascinating to actually see the food being prepared and I thought their method of catching fish was very creative. In addition, I noticed that the Congolese had positive attitudes, even though they faced great hardships. It was amazing to see that the people remained optimistic despite the fact that they have very little and live in a county filled with problems. The nation has been through so much, but the people remain strong.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your post. It is amazing how resilient the Congolese are after all that they have been through. Mrs. Ignatius
DeleteThis video certainly did unveil the 'Parts Unknown' within the Congo and uncovered much political history in Africa. Within the Poisonwood Bible, we were exposed to slight politics in regards to the Congo's fight for independence. However, the video showed the tragic downfall of the Congo, in extensive detail,after Lumumba's assassination. Wars, debt and overall deterioration of the Congo occurred under the reign of Mobutu. However, this did not even slightly alter the Congolese way of living. As stated, the Europeans used the Congo River for extensive trade operations; But the Congolese continually used the river for basic daily purposes, even after the war.
ReplyDeleteOne quote that particularly struck me was one of a Congolese man who stated "Things change quickly in the Congo." This fact was illustrated quite plainly as everything from government and tourism to the weather changed in a moment's notice. In our own nation, we're not used to those type of drastic, quick changes. Which goes to show that the attitude of the Congolese is one we should adopt: A humble, modest outlook even through the most difficult times.
Thanks for your response. You picked up on the idea of change accurately. The Congolese should be commended.
DeleteMrs. Ignatius
Never before have I glimpsed into the the life of a residents of the African Congo. In "Poison-wood Bible" the events relayed were not real in my eyes. Now opened I can see the struggles of the Congolese. In constant danger from rebel groups, a land filled with turmoil is the remnant of what it once was. Once resource rich , although Belgian controlled, a source of travel through the railroads and mostly funded by the government. Ironically independence brought despair and murder when Patrice Lumumba is killed shortly after being a elected. Resulting conditions, after his death and the election of Joseph Desire Mobutu was a downward spiral that led to many deaths. The Congo has sadly not recovered as seen in this video, causing a tear in my heart.One must ask what significant changes can be made to increase the quality of life and stability? My belief like Anatole's in Poison-wood bible is education to the people to show how to take control of the country correctly. To state further, funding would also be beneficial and in many cases life changing to the impoverished people of the Congo. Adding the ability to have better housing, refrigeration , and water purification all major issues illustrated in this video.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your response. The Congo is in need of tremendous help.
DeleteThis video was very insightful to the life of the Congolese and none of it was what I expected. While I was reading "The Poisonwood Bible" I pictured sparsely populated villages along the river in which people could have a fair amount of personal space. Yet, in this video, the depiction of these villages seem to be the opposite. People can't escape the company of others as they fight to collect basic necessities to survive, such as fish at the market place. After watching this video, I feel rather inferior to the people of the Congo. They can dive into the rapids of the Congo River to catch fish from their homemade traps. They walk to the river to collect buckets of water which they must then bring back to their home to boil before they can use it due to its impurities. And yet, we live in a society that found it necessary to invent a faucet that you don't even have to touch for it to dispense clean, safe water. I like the narrator of the video. He shows an outsider's perspective of the country and displays how difficult it would be for an American to even understand how the Congolese live. It is remarkable how the people of this region seem to have this resilient spirit. After they have experienced genocide, rebellions, foreigners' claims to what is not theirs, they still work until they bleed to sustain a life in which they hope for a miracle. Although they do not have a functioning government, the Congolese people in this video seem mentally and physically stronger than Americans.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your post. I agree that Bourdain did a good job with his narration and perspective. Mrs. Ignatius
DeleteThis documentary was extremely eye-opening to me. It's hard to believe that I was so ignorant (and still am for that matter) of everything that has happened in the Congo. I feel like this history is so important, and yet I don't recall ever learning these things. It makes me wonder what else I don't know about the world. I thought I had a very clear picture in my mind about the Congo. Seeing it in this documentary came as a complete shock to me. If the Congolese are lucky, they may earn $2 a day. Many people my age complain about their $8 an hour. These people rarely eat meat, because it is so expensive. So many people here eat meat every day. The Congolese go out and catch their food and we just go to a grocery store. Everyone there seemed to know each other and to rely on each other. I don't know about you, but I barely know two of my neighbors. In the Congo, there are people who show up at work everyday with no pay. They do their work diligently, trying to preserve what they have and hoping for change. The books in the library. They were so valued and the man worked hard to keep as nice as he could. The conditions in the Congo are so sad and unbelievable to me. Their neighboring country of Rwanda is so much better. It shocks me too see the dramatic change between the two countries. The documentary just makes me very grateful to live in the USA, where I have so many blessings.
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DeleteThis video shows how mistreated the Congolese people have been over the years. It tells of how many were starved, killed, enslaved, and abused which makes me really think about how lucky America has been to not have been terrorized by other countries this way. They were even given rules by Belgium that they could not walk their streets after dark or enter the restaurants/other businesses except as help. They went through all this discrimination in their own country. Despite all of this, the Congolese are so optimistic about their situations and their country. These people have such a hard time getting materials to live by, their government doesn't pay its' bills, and the trains often stop. The country has nearly nothing. It didn't seem like this in the Poisonwood Bible, where the Congolese seemed to like their way of life just fine and hate the Price's ideas.
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DeleteI have always read about the living situations and neglect that the Congo and Africa as a whole has experienced, but it was completely different to view footage of it. It is hard to imagine such a place when one only has assumptions to refer to, and this video has made it crystal clear that it is next to impossible to understand what it must be like to live in the Congo. It is apparent that the lifestyle in which the people endure is vastly different from one we are used to. As Anthony Bourdain stated, things can change in the blink of an eye and nothing quite goes as scheduled. Just at the beginning of the video, the footage revealed how fascinated the children were with seeing the cameras, an object that must be scarce in the region. This makes me realize how fortunate we all are to live in America. Even the most poor people living here have it good as compared to those living in poverty in Africa. It is sad to watch that Anthony and his filming crew must stock up on food because such delicacies we all take for granted would soon not be available as they leave the outskirts of the Congo. I also couldn't imagine living day by day not knowing if my safety was in jeopardy or if a new rebel group would threaten my existence. The number of rebel groups competing for power and land is well beyond my expectations. How difficult it must be to maintain the slightest bit of order in a country that has many different groups rebelling against a system and each other. It is also interesting to learn the history behind Stanley the explorer and why the Congo has been at a disadvantage ever since King Leopold's rule. It's unfortunate that with just a bit of modern technology the train station could be up and running, but at this point no help has come. The Congo could be much more developed with the possession of slightly more modern objects to help them move forward.
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DeleteI'm so glad I watched this video. Seeing pictures and footage of the Congo made me realize how many trivial things that I depend on on a daily basis. Also, it showed how little progress has been made since decades ago when "The Poisonwood Bible" took place. While I was reading the novel, I pictured a poor, run-down civilization, filled with the broken-down spirits of the Congolese. Although the locals surprisingly have optimistic attitudes now, the country is still plagued by the structures left behind by the Belgians. By now, I figured the Congo would be at least a little bit more developed, but after seeing this video, I can see they have a long way to go. The fact that the U.S. government played a central role in the current condition of the Congolese makes me sick to my stomach. Hopefully, a responsible developed country will intervene soon and establish order in the Congo before the hardworking individuals' spirits run out.
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DeleteThis video has changed my mind about many issues going on in the modern world. The statement "You really don't understand something until you see it." It's one thing to hear about a situation or read about it, but to see a first-hand perspective visual on it, was life-changing. It's sad what the people of the Congo struggle through on a daily basis. The fact the Congo isn't even the only third-world nation experiencing these struggles is disheartening. It's evident that change needs to occur, and quickly. The overall message of the video, is that an expectation can be so wrong in so many ways. I am so enlightened by this. This is Carlos Bautista by the way, I don't know why that is still my username.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Carlos.
DeleteThis video was shocking, yet very eye-opening. When I first read "The Poisonwood Bible", I pictured the Congo as home to run down villages with little to no technological innovations. However, the video displayed the Congo as full of shambled cities all with rich thriving histories. One thing I found surprising was the current location of the cities, at the bottom of a volcano. The Congolese people not only run the risk of volcanic eruption, but the cities are infused with rebellious groups, making them a "red zone." What was once a tourist town, attracting actors and actresses, is now a shambled city full of uninhabitable hotels and a complete lack of stable, dependable electricity. The Congolese people work day after day writing endless requests for funding to the government for their books and travel train system, and end up with basically no government involvement. However, I found it inspiring how dedicated and immovable the Congolese are in their hope that their society will be whole again and return to the good days in Congolese history.
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DeleteI'm shocked to see how oblivious we are about life in the Congo and other third world countries. While us Americans and other westerners worry about getting the latest iPhone and the newest pair of Jordans, the Congolese people worry about getting food on the table. It is sad to see that no one is helping the Congo after it was left in such terrible condition by the Belgian.
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DeleteThis video was so astonishing and insightful. Though I have read and watched videos on African issues, this video has impacted me the most. The video reminded me how much I take for granted the resources in my daily life such as water, food, or money. It is unimaginable how horrible the condition of the Congo are, yet it seems very unimportant to America and other countries with great wealth to support them and help them in a large crisis of need. Though the stereotype for Africa is "rundown" and "shambled" it truly was depicted in that reality. The actual footage made these villages look even worse than I imagined. It was crazy to think that people would live on top of lava and next to active volcanoes just to have a place to call their own. But, it is amazing how historic these places are. It is even more amazing how average Congolese preserve places such as the library and the train station without pay due to insufficient funds from the government! I also love how dedicated and optimistic the Congolese are about these conditions eventually being fixed.
ReplyDeleteThis video really struck me on how Congo is in a horrible, desperate condition yet the Congolese are optimistic and are looking forward to a bright future. After watching this video, I can now visualize the scenes and the setting that was described in the Poisonwood Bible. One of the many things that stood out was very gray both environmentally and economically, after the volcano eruption and independence from Belgium. Most Congolese earn barely $2 a day, but some goes to work with no pay in order to save the train station and the library and in hopes for the government to support them for new equipment for the train station to run again. These Congolese people are trying to save what they are left with, while we, in first world countries, are busy throwing away or replacing our things that do not work and that we do not like to better things.
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DeleteWatching this video was not at all how I pictured the Congo. I pictured run down huts, not tents. I pictured people wearing traditional clothing , not torn up modern shirts and shorts. Most importantly, I pictured the Congolese to have much more than what they have. We live in a country where we take soap and water for granted, and we almost always know when our next meal is. But for these people, those come far and few between. One of the most interesting things I found in this video was that if anyone acquired money, the first thing they would buy is soap. Then clothes, followed by food. Again, all things that we take for granted here. I also admire these people for surviving what they have been through and still have the power to push forward, still strong and united. They rebuild train stations, and preserve their library filled with decades of records and files on their history. I truly hope that one day these people get the what they deserve, because after all of the struggles they have been through, they deserve a fighting chance.
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DeleteThis video gave me insight into how life is in the DRC, something the Poisonwood Bible was not completely able to do. I was both sad and disheartened that the Congolese people barely make enough money to buy minimum amounts of food. It is hard to imagine that hardly any items in the Congo were built within the last 50 or so years, since the Belgians left. Living in the United States, we take for granted resources such as the internet, where as in the Congo, as shown in the video, has a limited supply of items such as books. It's unbelievable to me that no developed country has stepped in to try and lead the DRC toward a self-sustaining economy.
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ReplyDeleteThis video was a very harsh but necessary look at a region filled with people and culture that rarely ever makes it to national news here. It is disappointing to turn on the news and see the latest celebrity gossip and never even see any mention of the situation here. The Poisonwood Bible described the villages and people quite well, but nothing can show you the despair and poverty as a video can. In the video you see people working extremely hard just to afford soap and food, but they still appreciate the clothes they have and try to stay hopeful which should set an example to the people in developed countries who complain about unnecessary aspects of life.
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DeleteIt's interesting and sad to see that the current state of the Congo is a direct consequence of the west's greed and actions. I went into the video with some mindset of what it would be (having seen the state of other third world countries in the past). It started out exactly as I had thought it would, but as the video progressed I saw that the Congo is worse of than some other third world countries currently.
ReplyDeleteI salute the patriotism with which the Congolese work at the library and the station with no pay and just a hope for a better future.
We do take things for granted, and this video should be an eye-opener to all of us that what the Congolese and a billion other people are suffering from throughout the world may very well be our fate one day. So the question is how will we react in such a situation? Will we be as calm and patient as the Congolese or will we fall to savage behavior?
The video definitely helped with the visualization of some the scenes and places mentioned in the Poisonwood Bible, like the river, and the jungle, the small unstable houses.
ALYZAY SHAH
Thanks.
DeleteWatching this video really made me realize how little we know about the Congo. We can read about it in “The Posionwood Bible” and watch countless videos that will only give us a few minutes of insight. But in the end, we are all still here sitting on our nice computers and our main worry is about getting an assignment turned in on time. Meanwhile, the people who deserve it the most barely get paid $2 an hour. That was the most shocking thing to me because in America, money is everything to us and getting paid the $7.79 is the worst it can get but imagine working to get nothing, knowingly. This video has really made me wake up and be thankful for all I do have, how many worries I don’t even think about, the same worries that others, in other parts of the world, think about daily. Those things aren’t something you learn about in school. They’re things most of us will never be able to relate to or understand fully, it’s not something that is really talked about here. I found it really touching and inspiring how through all that, they were still joyful and optimistic about the whole situation, which is probably the exact opposite of how we would be if we were in the same situation. If anything, they deserve all the things we have more than we do.
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ReplyDeleteThe video totally skewed my vision of the book(Poisonwood Bible). Maybe i just didn't read it accurately but in my mind I pictured the Congo as more run down and almost desert like with more sand. I understand that some, and by some I mean very few, technological advances have been made since their Independence, but I was not expecting all of what they had. Their major transportation system was water which wasn't surprising since the Congo River is a dominating factor of the area. I wasn't expecting them to have trains at all in the Congo. I expected wood barely stable enough for a home with sand all around the outer edges. Though they also travel in the air by plane or in a car, Ferry or boat are the popular choices with a close swimming. I knew the river was major but when watching the video I couldn't fathom at how wide and long it actually is. Referring back to the book Poisonwood Bible, I can visually see everyone trying to jump into the water when they are all covered by ants. I found this video interesting and also extremely difficult to even begin trying to share compassion with the Congolese because I have never been in a situation like so. That's about it.
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DeleteIt's nice to see insight on the modern day Congo, even through the Imperialistic ideals imposed on them they still carry on and strive to rebuild there country. The video shows a historical perspective on what the Congo has gone through, from the colonial rule of the Belgians to the post-colonial internal conflict the historical aspect of the video always provides a background to anything they explain. The recognition of this video also helps the visualization of the Poisonwood Bible as they show some of the natives and their traditions. The Congo is also compared to the works of other former colonies of Europe such as Rwanda, which has been fairly modernized in contrast to the Congo. In the end, the videos main focus is to bring to attention the destruction of the Congo due to the inability to come together and form a union to represent their vast region. This region of Africa has a long road before becoming able to better their current economical situation.
ReplyDeleteThe video was eye opening to not only the Congo's problems but also the blending of cultures. The villages Bourdain visited are prime examples of this merge. The Wakinya tribe's use of traditional fishing methods while wearing modern cloths illustrates their independence and at the same time acknowledging modern advancements. The King Bourdain visits with later in the journey wears a normal suit but is accompanied with a traditional chief's headdress. It shows the balance that can be found when two cultures merge.
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