Balance: A Leverage?

Related Reading:
Political Inflations?

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As I close my eyes and drift away to al and where there is love, health, peace and blessings. I wanted to take the time to think and reflect. 

     I was taking the time to reflect upon the recent journal article I read and briefly quoted in my previous writings. A few points of discussion were: media, politics, Mexico, Mexico - U. S. border relations, Immigration, undocumented immigrants from a historical and present perspective, drugs, cartels, gangs, terrorist groups such as: "Mexican TCOs, including the SinaloaCartel, the Gulf Cartel, the Arellano Félix Organization, Los Zetas, La Familia Michoacana, the Beltrán Leyva brothers, and the Juárez Cartel as foreign terrorist organizations (Aguilar 201 lb)" (Correa-Cabrera, Garrett & Keck, 2014), Al Qaeda, 9/11, and U. S. Homeland Security and Defence (2014). As I was reading, I remembered  my research, and paper that I wrote about school shootings, gun violence, globalization and terrorism. In this discussion a key point that is sometimes hushed is, the link between Globalization and Terrorism. There are many that support the globalist perspective. However, there are oppositions for Globalization. This is because many think that Globalization is just another word for Western or Westernization. The oppositions don't understand that ones identity, or national identity cannot be stripped from joining a Global community, and this I think is one of the key fears. It must be noted that Globalism or national and international development has always taken place, right from the aftermath of World War II, to promote international exchanges for peace promotion ("Fulbright Program," n.d.). Of course there are many examples that take shape to this day.

     But the reading of the recent article (2014) as well as my own previous research, made me think about what it means to speak about contentious issues, especially those that concern terrorism. We can write, research, and learn about terror groups; as the solider who is on-ground facing the unknown, exploring unchartered terrains, whilst knowing the dangers. But what about the dangers for the writers, or the public / published writer? We sometimes hear about the journalist who has been kidnapped, held hostage, or even shot dead. There is no negotiating the risks that are derived from the process of discovery, knowledge, or uncovering the truth. But there is a difference between a journalist, a free-lance writer, to that of a scholar or researcher. And this is what is often forgotten, or what oppositions or terrorist groups should bear in mind. 

    Political policymakers, think tanks, Government organizations, need informed information. As well other sources,  and news and media reporters, so that policy can be informed, formed. Not so necessarily for the purposes of exposure, but rather for mediations, diplomacy, building peace. Soft-power. Which is what knowledge-based economics / systems have / are gearing towards. The key issue here is the fear of lagging behind - as countries that may not be at the same levels as other countries, may feel inferior, intimidated and thus resort to violence, violent tactics, and the cycle of terrorism / violence repeats itself. This is why I felt that it was better for my own personal safety and intellectual development, to be situated within an institution, or if these were topics that I wanted to focus upon. While this thought might not deter me from publishing upon my website, I do think that there is more leverage / influence through scholarly work, towards seeking a balanced informed approach, as compared to listening to the news. But then again, I guess it really depends upon ones goals, and what one hopes to achieve.  

References: 
Correa-Cabrera, Garrett & Keck. (2014). Administrative Surveillance and Fear: Implications for U.S.-Mexico Border Relations and Governance. European Review of Latin American and Caribbean Studies / Revista Europea deEstudios Latinoamericanos y del Caribe. 96, (2014), 35-53. 

Fulbright Program. (n.d.). In Wikipedia. Retrieved on September 30th, 2019 from, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fulbright_Program#History

My thoughts to share with love & kindness! :)

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