Thinking Spatially - AP Human Geography and Current Issues

Canada encourages multiculturalism and is very accepting of all beliefs and religions. They tend to embrace their cultural diversity and therefore are very culturally mixed. In many ways, Quebec is usually left to govern itself. This is because Canada has a federal government, meaning local governments can govern themselves. Another example of a federal government is the USA. The US states can make their own laws. For this reason, Quebec can make its own laws, but its new law still caused a lot of issues for Canada. Quebec has recently passed a law dealing with face coverings on public transit, emergency service, hospitals and public work. The new law, Bill 62, is called the Religious Neutrality Bill, and its basic premise is that public workers should not be displaying their religion at work. Justice Prime Minister Stephanie Valee addressed the law further, saying “You can see my face and I can see yours.” The law bans all facial coverings even, as Valee said, sunglasses. Valee declar...

In recent years, security (surveillance) , as well as technological advancements, have coincided with the protection of human rights. They overlap and, most of the time, oppose each other. Thus, it has become a controversial topic. Instances of one being instigated and the other violated, are immeasurably high. One instance is the growing drone issue. They are easily accessible everywhere you look. They have cameras and can be accessed from up to a couple miles away. The personal drones are getting more advanced every day. This issue is also in the military. Many treaties have been brought up due to the missile-carrying-pilotless aircraft. Since Obama came into office, there were 563 drone strikes in Yemen, Somalia, and Pakistan, according to the Bureau of investigative Journalism. These strikes, as well as dealing with terrorist organizations, also hit schools and communities, ending with an estimated three hundred and eighty-four to eight hundred and four civilian deaths which is “n...

In the United Kingdom, Parliament is capitalizing off of womens’ menstrual cycles. For every box of tampons purchased, women have to pay a five percent value-added tax extra (BBC). Some may ask why this tax was even put into effect, but the answer is simple. Countries always need more money, and most women will always buy feminine hygiene products. So why not impose a tax on something women can’t change and will always need? Above: A protestor advocating the end of the Tampon Tax. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) categorizes these products as "non-essential, luxury" items. But how has personal sanitation for women become a privilege and not a basic human need? As Guardian writer Suzanne Moore sardonically remarks, “...tampons are our little treat, aren’t they? We spoil ourselves silly with such luxury.” Women who “indulge” in female sanitation products like tampons and pads are only trying to take care of themselves to still live productive lives, and with hygiene in mind....

Months ago the Rohingya would have never thought that they would be driven out of their homes and be an object of forced migration into neighboring countries during a time of ethnic cleansing. Known as the “world’s most persecuted minority,” the Rohingya are a Muslim majority ethnic group who have been housed in Myanmar, a Buddhist nation. They are currently the product of ethnic cleansing: a “legal” way to form homogeneity between cultures and groups of people through ways such as deportation and destruction of sacred sites. During British rule, a large number of labourers migrated into the Myanmar area, which was later called “illegal: and they should refuse citizenship to the majority of Rohingya.” After Myanmar gained independence, the Rohingya were originally granted identification and citizenship, some even holding governmental positions. In 1962, however, Myanmar military changed identification laws and labeled Rohingya as “terrorists” by the State Chancellor, resulting in m...

Over the past few months, the stance of Catalonia and whether the autonomous region has gained independence or not has been the question of every Spaniard. An autonomous region can be defined as an area within a state that has a high degree of self-government and freedom from its parent state. According to the vote the Catalans just took, the answer is yes. Out of the 2.2 million people that voted, 90% said they wanted to be an independent country. The only holdup: the Spanish government. Not only have they imprisoned the leaders of the region, but the government has also refused to grant independence and sent the message that Spain, under no circumstances, would ever prevent this breakaway. The big question now is: What will happen next? Catalans show their support of independence by protesting Many wonder how this started. Catalonia has been linked with Spain since its start in the 15th century when the land became united after the marriage of King Ferdinand of Aragon a...