Social Studies - NZ Racism

Hi Everyone!

For today's blog post I will be writing about what I have been learning in social studies for the past week. 

Recently we have been focusing on discrimination and how there has been a drastic increase in discrimination during the past year. Mainly due to coronavirus, however, major violence has started to weave itself into the discrimination. Now it is not only verbal insults but there are people out there who beat up up others. Do you want to know what the reason is? it's because they are of different races, they think they are superior. But in reality, we are all the same race we are all human. We still have yet to become equal and accept each other, but with this behaviour of the world. We are just slowly starting to repeat history, and we won't be able to change anything. Unless we change ourselves, which is disappointing. 

As an example, here is something I wrote about Arabic.

Can you make any connections to other stories / the wider world? Sentence starters “This reminds me of…” “This is similar to…” (E.g. have you ever seen someone be ashamed of their culture?)

This reminds me of how Arabic or people from Pakistan or Iraq are usually stereotyped as terrorists. For example, they are shown terrorising a high-security building or a city in general. Now, this is just what people assumptions are on people, as everyone watches the news to see what’s going on in the world. Usually, in the news, they show the bad things happening in the world. In the news, they have shown what Arabic have done and how it just shows how much bombing and war there is. Personally when I first saw something like this on the news. I thought that I would never want to visit there. The images in the news just showed bombing, fires, guns and things like that. Everything was just so graphic so I had just thought that in that area it was a complete warzone. But after learning about it I learned that there are also people suffering there. Also how it is not how the news makes it seem, otherwise that this makes people. Misunderstand and assume things about other races but that’s what they think because we are actually all one race.

Social Studies - Germany and The Great Depression

Hi Everyone! 

In today's blog post, I will be writing about Germany and how this nation relates to The Great Depression. This is what links to what we have been studying in social studies which would the Holocaust. 

In the year 1929, the Wall Street Crash produced a global depression, Germany grieved the most out of all countries. As the US wasn’t sending out loans anymore so they had to withdraw a lot of money. Which had caused Germany’s economy to collapse - There was a major increase in unemployment. The number of people in poverty had climbed and Germany ended up being despairing. This led to a link of major events which had concluded j in the destruction of German destruction. A major factor of why Germany was hit the hardest during the global depression. Would be the Treaty of Versailles, which was a treaty that was supposed to. Settle disputes following the discontinuance of hostilities in WW1. 

The Treaty of Versailles was a treaty signed right af3ter WW1 to create peace, which was signed by the allied and associated powers and by Germany. Germany was required to sign the treaty as Germany was thought to be at fault for starting World War 1. However, the allies wanted Germany to compensate. For all the damage they caused to the civilian population of their allies, but also for their property. Germany also had to comply with some unrelenting conditions in the treaty as a consequence.

The crash's consequences were not immediately evident in New Zealand. However, beginning in 1930, export prices began to decrease, falling by 45 per cent by 1933. This was terrible to a country that relied heavily on agricultural exports. Demand for their goods and services decreased, as did their pricing.

Social Studies - Causes and Effect Article

 Hey Everyone!

Today for social studies we were required to create a news article containing information on the GPGP. Moreover my last blog post in social studies about the GPGP, I created my new article. On "Canva" I definitely recommend this site for school projects, it's my favorite website. 

Please provide me with feedback on my work, and if there was anything I need to improve on.  Thank you! :)

You can click on this link to check out my news article. 

https://www.canva.com/design/DAEfblYE-Mg/z-aaExu20P-wV_PtXKllWA/view?utm_content=DAEfblYE-Mg&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=sharebutton

Social Studies - Eco-Warriors Help out

Hi Everyone!

For this week's social studies blog post, I will be letting you guys know about what I did today. 

Mr. Cairn had decided to do something new and suggest we help out the Eco-Warriors. If you don't attend HHS you must not know what that is. The Eco-Warrior is a club based around the ecosystem. Their goal is to take care of our school by picking up trash in the meantime they stay on school grounds. Once they manage to sustain our school environment they are planning to expand their range. 

We were put into around 5 groups we all were given supplies containing a bucket and tongs to use. Unfortunately, we were missed out and didn't get tongs so we compromised and found gloves. We started to pick up trash and garbage around the auditorium there were loads of garbage around there. We mostly found them in the vine bushes under the trees, I honestly think the only explanation. For lots of garbage around there, is because it is the only old part of our school. The auditorium and those bushes were not taken down unlike all the other parts of the school. So that rubbish has been building up over the years and has just been hiding under the bushes. 

Stating my thoughts, I would say that it was unexpected and disappointing. When you take a glance at our school you think it's there's nothing wrong. But once you take a closer look you will find that there is an uncountable amount of rubbish. It is embarrassing and disappointing that I am saying this about my school. But unfortunately, it is just the truth so I am glad we have a club like Eco-Warrior trying to change that. 

I want people to know that they should help out the Eco-Warrior there's no harm in taking walk and picking up trash. It is not hard or challenging at all, over time when you're around friends it will be fun. We could make this a regular habit by just trying to take care of our own environment. One thing I know is that "What goes around, comes around". 

Social Studies - Trash the Planet

Hi Everyone! 

This is my first blog post for this term but also will be my first blog post with my new social studies teacher. His name is Mr. Cairn and he is a pretty good teacher who explains things well, which makes things easier. 

Lately, in our social studies classes, we have been focusing on the topic of pollution and the environment. We started off by comprehending a short story about a sea horse, this story tries to get a message through. About pollution in a creative way, this story showed us the more cultural/spiritual side. It mentions...

 ¨Kids, you must take from the sea only the kai you need and only the amount you need to please your bellies. If you take more, then it is a waste. There is no need to waste the food of the sea. Best to leave it there for when you need it next time. The sea is good to us, it gives us kai moana to eat. It is a food basket. As long as we respect it, it will continue to feed us. If, in your search for shellfish, you lift a stone from its lap, return the stone to where it was. Try not to break pieces of the reef because it is the home of many kai moana. And do not leave litter behind you when you leave the sea.’ Dad taught us to respect the sea and to have reverence for the life contained in its waters.¨

Reading this from the story makes me think of how we really have taken the ocean to our
advantage, and we have gone too far.

I have learned many things from watching this documentary made by Ali Tabrizy. Who explains how much the ocean means to him. That is why he made a documentary to show what is happening to the ocean. Not only that, but he is also showing how he is trying to help and prevent pollution.

I have written a bit about the video and what I think of it.

This video has gotten me to think about how there are some people out there who really want to save the ocean. But also that we have so much rubbish and it is just honestly never-ending. The fact that surprised and worried me the most was that the amount of microplastic. The ocean had become 500 times more than the stars in a milky way. I mean I'm pretty sure anyone would have at least tried to count the stars, but it’s way too much. Just by looking at the night sky, we can see it filled with countless stars. 

 

After watching more of these types of videos I'm starting to see how most of us humans are so ignorant. We ignore the fact that we are killing the Earth, we only keep doing this. Is because we are doing the things that are benefiting us and are making us comfortable in the current situation. But we aren’t really considering our future whatever we are doing to the earth. Will come back to us if we don’t stop, in the end, it’ll be our loss. Another fact that I had learned about was that when dolphins and whales come to the surface of the water. They actually fertilize these floating plants called phytoplankton. Which actually absorbs four times more carbon dioxide than the amazon rainforest. 

Things we could do to try and reduce the pollution in the ocean, is by using reusable everyday necessities. Like maybe a wooden toothbrush, organic/tote bag, metal/bamboo straws. If we are cleaning out our clothes, with the old one that doesn't look nice. We could find innovative ways to reuse them, maybe, for example, we could make flannels for cleaning the car. There are many ways to be innovative with old clothes. But the ones that you know look nice but you also know that will never wear it again. Find a store where you can donate or give clothes, or maybe to benefit yourself you could sell them too.

Lastly, Mr. had introduced to us a new website called "Happy Broadcast" This website is like a website talking about all the news globally. As you know the news usually talks about the bad things happening to the world. But in spite of this news, the Happy Broadcast is they to cheer you up. The Happy Broadcast talks about the good things happening around the world, for example, people helping the environment. I think it's a great way to learn about how people are out there doing good deeds.

The Happy Broadcast

Social Studies - Bob Geldof &

Who is Bob Geldof?

He is an Irish songwriter, who was the lead singer of an Irish rock band ¨Boomtown Rats¨ in the late 1970s. Born on the 5th of October 1951 and is now 69 years old, he also has 5 children and had two wives. After the ¨Boomtown Rats¨, he then was in a band called ¨Band Aid¨. He also became a promoter of charitable events, for Africa in particular.  After being a rock star Bob became an international celebrity who raised awareness for humanitarian charities. He noticed the severe conditions in Ethiopia. Particular the major issues of famines and humans being starved to death. This drove him and his friend, Midge Ure, to do something about this problem. He did a concert with his other celebrity friends to raise money for Africa and provide food for them. Bob Geldof was the one who came up with the idea to do this concert, resulting to be one of the biggest concerts. 

Who is Midge Ure?

He is a Scottish musician, singer, and songwriter, he was involved in many bands and was also the frontman of  Ultravox. Born on the 10th of October 1953 and is now 67 years old, he has no children and also had two wives. He was also a close friend of Bob Geldof, who had one day called him. Mentioned a bizarre idea but had such a significant reason, this caused them to start up ¨Band Aid or Live Aid¨. He and Bob created a partnership and lead Live Aid together, earning 127 million dollars. All raised for the famine in Ethiopia.

Social Studies - Anti-Vietnam War Song

 Hi everyone! 

We have just finished our Beatlemania topic in social studies, talking about The Beatles tour around the world. We mainly researched about their tour in New Zealand, about where they went and what happened. 

For today´s social studies lesson, we are starting off with a new topic called Woodstock which is connected to the Vietnam war. 

For this lesson, we are required to blog about an anti-Vietnam war song. Including the lyrics, what the message of the song is. Also, evidence to back up our statement.

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Jimmy Cliff  - Vietnam

Lyrics:

Hey, Vietnam, Vietnam
Vietnam, Vietnam
Vietnam, Vietnam, Vietnam

Yesterday, I got a letter from my friend fighting in Vietnam
And this is what he had to say
"Tell all my friends that I'll be coming home soon
My time'll be up sometime in June
Don't forget", he said, "To tell my sweet Mary
Her golden lips are sweet as cherry"

And it came from Vietnam, Vietnam
Vietnam, Vietnam
Vietnam, Vietnam, Vietnam

It was just the next day, his mother got a telegram
It was addressed from Vietnam
Now mistress Brown, she lives in the USA
And this is what she wrote and said
"Don't be alarmed", she told me the telegram said
"But mistress Brown, your son is dead"

And it came from Vietnam, Vietnam
Vietnam, Vietnam
Vietnam, Vietnam, hey, Vietnam
Somebody please stop that war now

Vietnam, Vietnam, Vietnam, Vietnam, oh
Vietnam, Vietnam, oh
Vietnam, oh oh, oh oh
Somebody please stop it

Vietnam, Vietnam, oh
Vietnam, Vietnam, oh oh, oh oh
Vietnam, hey, Vietnam, aha
Vietnam, oh oh, yeah

I wanna say now somebody stop that war
Vietnam, oh yeah, aha

The message of this song, regarding the lyrics, shows that its main message is to stop the war. It seems like the author Jimmy Cliff had acknowledged the tragedy from the Vietnam war, and had possibly gone along with other songwriters. Jimmy Cliff's reason for writing this was to stop the war because families were losing their men. But not only that he had also written this song to support the soldiers fighting in the war. His goal or thought once he got a letter from his friend who was fighting in the war. Was to make a change through music, which made him devastated. Is that when his friend got back from the war he was sort of brain dead, he couldn't remember anything. Jimmy Cliff stated that ´it was as if he was dead´.

Resources: 

• https://www.songfacts.com/facts/jimmy-cliff/vietnam 
• https://genius.com/Jimmy-cliff-vietnam-lyrics
  

Social Studies - Perspectives - The Beatles

 Perspectives - The Beatles

For Tour:

Young people were usually the people who were majorly interested in The Beatles. Mainly young girls, most probably because The Beatles were a boy band. Not only that but they also liked the fact. That The Beatles were also trying to normalize relationships and drugs things like that. The youth enjoyed their music and they liked the lyrics, even more, they could relate to them. This gave them the chance to express themselves and be free from their parent's rules and restrictions. Regarding the specific song, ¨She´s a Mod¨ from interviews the youth had mentioned. That they felt they had suddenly been liberated from their parents, oh which where they had also believed. They were the only ones who were able to enjoy themselves properly, this was their reason. 

Against Tour:

The people who were against the tour were the older generation like the adults or grandparents. They didn´t like this because they were raised in a different environment and were influenced by the depression from the war. Their music was soft and I guess you would say in a minor key. This was considered boring to the youth, the parents didn´t like the fact that the kids were getting obsessed. The older generation also thought that The Beatles were leading their kids to sin. Sometimes because of all the disappointment, families would be separated. 

Social Studies - Here Comes the Sun - Music Through Time

 Here Come the Sun - The Beatles

--------------------------

Lyrics

Here comes the sun do, do, do
Here comes the sun
And I say it's all right

Little darling, it's been a long cold lonely winter
Little darling, it seems like years since it's been here

Here comes the sun do, do, do
Here comes the sun
And I say it's all right

Little darling, the smiles returning to the faces
Little darling, it feels like years since it's been here

Here comes the sun do, do, do
Here comes the sun
And I say it's all right

Little darling, I feel that ice is slowly melting
Little darling, it seems like years since it's been clear

Here comes the sun do, do, do
Here comes the sun
And I say it's all right

Here comes the sun do, do, do
Here comes the sun
And I say it's all right

George Harrison had written and sang this song at his friend Eric Clapton. The lyrics behind this song show his relief at the arrival of spring. Not only that but also his stress from his band affairs. He wrote this song in early 1969, mentioning again at his friend's country house, he also played to avoid a meeting. He wrote this song in one of his rough times, this was to cheer himself up. As music helps him so much mentally he used it as a stress reliever, thatś why the songś lyrics. Is very optimistic and sort of happy, the beat is also nice and upbeat real proclaiming the motives of being happy. 

When comparing this song to the songs before The Beatles, we can already see the difference in the rhythm and beat. This song is very upbeat but also soothing, the lyrics are also different. Their harmony was amazing and astonished many young listeners, mainly young girls. 

A fact about the song: 

As of September 2019, the song ¨Here Comes the Sun¨ was the most streamed Beatle song on Spotify Globally, including over 350 million plays. 

10 Social Studies - The Last Post - Music Through Time

Hi everyone!

In today's lesson for social studies, we will be needing to research Anzac day and how music and NZ were involved with it. 

To me after learning about ANZAC and creating more of a connection and understanding to the history of it. 

I've come to realize appreciate everything our country for us to keep itś people safe, and how people have the initiative to courage to fight for their country. I just really admire people like that. 

Briefly talking about the ´The Last Post´ most New Zealanderś would know this song, as itś very important. But if YOU don´t know I will quickly explain, ´The Last Post´ Used to be used as a song that would be played at funerals; particularly military funerals. But it was used for some other slight purposes, now it is used to signify ANZAC. 

Here is the song 'The Last Post:

When do you hear this song? 

It became a tradition to play 'The Last Post' before the one-minute silence, honoring the soldiers who fought and died for us. In history 'The Last Post' was often used to signify the end of day activities in the military. But it was also used for military funerals to show that the soldier has gone to their final rest. 

Why is this song important/significant to NZ?

As NZ sent soldiers and troops to participate in WWI for many reasons, one of them is having strong ties with Britain. Because of WWI, a lot of lives had to be sacrificed even 17-year-olds. Some young people volunteered to fight for their country, as many people died in the war. They created a Bugle call that when a soldier had died they played at funerals. Since the song goes way back in history it is a significant song. It is played till now and has become a tradition to play it every Anzac day.

What is the history behind 'The Last Post' - why was it played and when?

The Last Post used to be used for military funerals, and also usually or sometimes was used as a call or alarm. For letting soldiers know that it was the end to their end-of-day activities. Which was ordinary back then, it didn´t mean a lot. But then now it is used to symbolize ANZAC. It Is also used to honor the ANZACs and their service. 

What does this song represent?

As it was formally used as a military funeral song, it usually signified that he/she is appreciated for his service. That the bugle call indicates the soldier has gone to his final rest. 

Here are my My Maps!

10 Social Studies - Parihaka - Music Through Time

Hi Everyone!

Today I will be talking about my recent social studies lessons, we have been learning about one of the most important tragedies the occurred in NZ history. If you don't already know this event it is called Parihaka. 

Parihaka is known as a place in NZ but it is also why this place is often used as the name for a terrible event. Parihaka was a place of peace and it was a sacred place. This area was named and found by two spiritual leaders. 

Their names were Te Whiti and Tohu, They were very important people and were always worshipped till now. For their kindness, and way of peace.

Here my ´My Maps'of of the place of which were involved in the Parihaka event. 

 

------------------------------------------------

Our job for today is to analyse a song about Parihaka the author is 'Tim Finn'

Parihaka - Tim Finn and the Herbs

What is the main message of this song?

The creator was trying to prove or portray how important Parihaka is. They believe that because of the spirituals leaders. Te Whiti was such a strong and important person, and because of his good doings. For fighting peacefully, and giving his people hope, and care. The author wanted to show how significant the event was and the leaders. 

What line describes their passive resistance method?

'Rise up, defend yourself, never give in'

What does 'you can't pull out the roots' refer to?

As Parihaka goes way back into NZ history and is very deep, I guess that's what the songwriter is considering as 'roots'? So I think it because people can't change what happened in the past. 

Give evidence of their determination?

Regarding the song already in the first verse, it shows their determination:

'My friend, My friend, I hate to see you suffer,

Events conspire to bring us to our knees,

My friend, my friend, you've taken this the wrong way, 

Rise up, defend yourself, never give in,

Look to the sky, the spirit of Te Whiti,

The endless tide is murmuring his name.'

But you can also see this shown in these lyrics.

´To weep for my lost brother.

They gather still, the clouds of Taranaki,

His children's children wearing the white plume,

So take me for the sins of these sad islands´

How does this song show the significance of Parihaka?

First off, already the song itself shows the significance of Parihaka ad itś still acknowledged till now. That many people have shown how they care about Parihaka. The lyrics of the songs create an understanding of Parihaka, it talks about the importance. Thatś why this song is one of the many the shows the significance of Parihaka. 

What makes an event significant?

• When it is still being acknowledged in the future. 
• Many people died and sacrificed themself for the good. 
• An action that someone the creates popularity and benefits. 

How many people were affected?

Around 1,600 Parihaka in-habitants were affected including Te Whiti and Tohu, those people were arrested. Regarding online searches around 600 women were left behind. While all the men were sent to jail, the kids and women were left behind and were raped and mistreated. Not only that, but the survivors of the incident who carried on with their life, most probably found it a traumatic event. That could've affected or influenced the relatives and newer generations of the family. 

How long were people affected?

The men including Te Whiti and Tohu were arrested and were put to jail for 16 months. Some of them died, of course, this even also affects people even till now. 

To what extent were people affected?

They were affected to the point where they still were trying to fight with peace. But it was to the point where all of their houses, crops, and gardens were destroyed. 

 

10 Social Studies - Music Through Time - Slavery in America

Hey there!

This is my first blog post for social studies!

In social studies, we have been basing our topics around music through time. How music has been a very big part of history. Our first topic was slavery in America, and because of how bad it was it is engraved deeply in American history. Because it was a significant event, it is still being talked about and mentioned till today. There is still even racism going on till now, mention the 'Black Lives Matter' protest. 

Through American slavery, there were many African captured from Africa and were brought to America to be sold. Starting only through the journey to America the Africans were going through a really hard time. It was hot they were bunched together in small areas. They were abused, and they died from starvation or thirst or were just killed. This is where it started, how they used music to survive, to get through their tough times they sang. Multiple events they used singing to communicate, as the people who stole them couldn't understand their language. They would take it to an advantage and sung with each other to plan escapes.

When they arrived in America they had to do so much labor in the plantations which were exhausting, so much till the point, they died. To get through everything they always sang and made songs. Each of those songs had messages or meaning, the messages were usually used to help slaves escape. When they sang it gave them hope there Is something to hold on to, that's why their songs were religious. Now in Africa singing is very very important to them. 

An important person from this event was named 'Harriet Tubman' who was a woman who was born into slavery. She was a big hero to the slaves, she saved thousands of slaves. By leading them to Underground Railroad. The Underground Railroad was an escape route for the slaves. This led them outside the slavery borders.

Here is a song I have chosen from which they had created:

'Follow the Drinking Gourd' 

Follow the drinkin' gourd
Follow the drinkin' gourd
For the old man is comin' just to carry you to freedom
Follow the drinkin' gourd

When the sun comes back, and the first quail calls
Follow the drinkin' gourd
For the old man is waiting just to carry you to freedom
Follow the drinkin' gourd

Follow the drinkin' gourd
Follow the drinkin' gourd
For the old man is waiting to carry you to freedom
Follow the drinkin' gourd

Well the river bank makes a mighty good road
Dead trees will show you the way
Left foot, peg foot, travelin' on
Follow the drinkin' gourd

Follow the drinkin' gourd
Follow the drinkin' gourd
For the old man is waiting to carry you to freedom
Follow the drinkin' gourd

Well the river ends, between two hills
Follow the drinkin' gourd
There's another river on the other side
Follow the drinkin' gourd

Follow the drinkin' gourd
Follow the drinkin' gourd
For the old man is waiting to carry you to freedom
Follow the drinkin' gourd

Well, where the great big river meets the little river
Follow the drinkin' gourd
The old man is waiting to carry you to freedom
Follow the drinkin' gourd

Follow the drinkin' gourd
Follow the drinkin' gourd
For the old man is waiting to carry you to freedom
Follow the drinkin' gourd

For the old man is waiting just to carry you to freedom
If you follow the drinkin' gourd

As you can see from the part that I have highlighted, according to the internet it is 

supposed to be a describe the route from northern missipi to tenesee. The song 

was used to describe the route. The route was used for escaping slaves, especially 

the young ones. This song is also connectected to the big dipper constellation. 

Because the drinking gourd meant the hollowed out gourd used by the slaves as a 

water dipper. Used there they used it as a code name for the Big Dipper star formation. As it points to Polaris, the Pole Star, and North.

Honestly when you really think about it, it musti've been really hard for the 

slaves, using songs to communicate. If they didn't use songs or had spoken a 

different language they probably wouldn't have been able to send messages around. Just imagine how unfortunate it would have been and terrifying. If the 'masters' found out about their escapes. They were so lucky to have people there who never 

gave up. Who always had hope or faith in finding a way to escape, it just happened to be a miracle. 

I am so lucky that I was born into this generation, because I am not 'white' and 

there would have been a lot of racism directed at me. I'm happy I didn't go through 

the hardships of our ancestors. I have acknowledged the tough times the slaves had went through, and how music helped them through everything. I realised music 

isn't just some nice beats you listen to. But it has so much meaning, especially throughout history. It is something so much more and so important, for me I love 

music it gets me through a lot. I know there is much more to learn about music, and I am looking forward to it.