My project (click on project) consists of 7 segments that dive into the details of the 9/11 Benghazi attack in Libya. The report has clickable images that will direct the reader to the source instantly, some underlined phrases contain the same feature as well. The report also has superscripts, which are highlighted, for the citations. Readers may also zoom in to the pictures for better inspection.
This project has been the most challenging I have written. Not that I had trouble writing it, but instead, researching and understanding everything that surrounds the Benghazi attacks. I have learned numerous aspects about Benghazi and the attack: the city, the governments, the geography, the minute details of the attack, and the politics of it all. I never felt so overwhelmed, but afterwards, I felt extremely informed that I unintentionally taught my family some of the details when a conversation topic about Libya came up.
If there is one vital thing that have changed my perspective on world affairs, it’s the dire complexity of it. Personally, I’d think it like this: have a plan on what you want to achieve and achieve it! However, it’s nothing as simplistic as this. I have learned how, in world politics, states and countless actors play such a great role in our everyday life, negatively and positively. Today, Libya lays in ruins along with many other states in the Middle East, and the causes of all this is not just one, it’s many ranging from the influence of other Arab uprisings, influences from other states and their intervention, and many more. This class has taught me that you’d see the whole picture, an image like the one displayed above, but you zoom in and notice the millions of pixels that make up a digital image. It’s like that in politics, the issue is the big image, but there are millions of details, including the actors, that make up the issue like as is.
I feel much confident than when I started. The Serial blogs have assisted me immensely in understanding some features of world affairs. I also feel much knowledgeable, with the Serial blogs but more so with this Benghazi project! Overall, I feel I have the potential to write and have more sound conversations about politics.
Theoretically, I do undoubtedly feel more engaged in world politics. However, what’s vital is the practicality of it all. Because I feel mentally prepared, I want to test my physical skills and contribute to the world around me. This, indeed, is my next step! After nights and days of writing this paper, and hating it (I’m writing this at 4:18 am), I just realized that I do not feel the least regret in writing it and generally taking this class. As I attached my project above, I truly felt my excitement, happiness, and satisfaction as well as the strong will to continue regardless of the obstacles I may face.
Sincere gratitude to Dr. Morris.
Feature Image Credits: “Cotton Candy Cloud” by Nacho Rochon is licensed under C.C.