Pirates, slaves, and war, oh my!

Today you got to discuss, or in some cases debate (I'm looking at you, 5th period), the relationship between economic gain and the use of violence. Kenneth Pomeranz, the author of the excerpt you read from The World That Trade Created, wrote about "primitive accumulation", or the act of seizing property and labor from others, the use of European privateers, and the foundations of warfare. The book makes for an interesting read if you're into economic history.  It's hyperlinked above.  If you were absent in class today, check out the website for an alternative assignment for you. 

Unfortunately, slavery and human trafficking still exist today. The U.S. Department of Labor attempts to keep a running list of products created by forced or child labor to create awareness.

In more uplifting news, I was finally featured on a Buzzfeed article about teachers in Halloween costumes.  I'm #17.  LIFE GOALS MADE. I am the second member of my family to make it onto a Buzzfeed list this year.  My middle sister showed up on a list earlier this year about South Asian hair accessories. She's #11.  So all of this is making my baby sister feel incredibly left out. #fomo

QUIZ TOMORROW. Make sure you're up to speed with all of the economic and social history we've been studying this six-weeks.  In addition, you need to make sure you have a general understanding of the plots of Sundiata and The Monkey King.  We'll have tutorials after school today and before school tomorrow in the larger Humanities room. Just a friendly reminder to make sure you to get to tutorials on time, because the room tends to fill up fairly quickly in the mornings, and there's nothing quite like having to repeat the answer to a question that's already been asked 7,643 times before you arrived.  Hopefully you're not like this young lady pictured below.

So, Adele just recently released her latest single, Hello, and everyone went crazy.  In an interview this week, Adele cited the late Amy Winehouse as her source of inspiration.  If you're unfamiliar with the incredible sound of Amy, your life is just sad.

Adele's Hello

Amy's Back to Black

For my art fans, President Obama has been working hard to update the White House by replacing some older decorative pieces with the works of 20th century artists (many of whom we'll study next semester, such as Rothko and Rauschenberg). Here's a short read on the changes. 

Obama snazzing up the White House

And finally, I leave you with a fake yet moving election speech, by Jack Donaghy from 30 Rock.

- Warrior Princess Siddiqui