Oral History Interview
The interview was carried out on 29th April 2020 at Museum Park, Miami Dade County. The interviewee, Jane Jacobs, is an African-American woman aged 57 years, who happens to be a family friend. Jane Jacobs is a college graduate and works as an accountant in one restaurant in New York City; however, due to the outbreak of the Covid-19 virus, the hotel has since been closed. The interview took 73 minutes and was video recorded.
As an African-American woman born in the 1960s, Jacobs mentions about the significant changes that have taken place with the American society and how lives have been impacted. Among the main themes that she mentions are about technological changes and political changes. Jacobs vividly claims the social structure in American society has been adversely influenced by white privilege and how the relationship among the Americans has changed over time. Through the interview, it is evident that her racial background has limited her chances of realizing the American dream. Although she is a first generation child, she says that most of her children have not enjoyed an equal opportunity in access to education and employment. The mother of six acknowledges that technological changes in the world have greatly influenced human life and hope that technology is regulated in the future.
Jacob’s personal life entails her bringing up by a single mother following the death of her father when she was aged twelve years. When she was enrolled in school and was academically very bright; however, after completing high school, she could not join college since her mother could not afford the college fees. Efforts to apply for grants and educational loans were not successful; therefore, she sought employment in the local firm where she worked as a janitor for four years. During the time, she was saving and helping her mother raise her siblings. She attributes her lack of admission to racial stereotyping since she qualified for the education grants but was denied. In 1986, she enrolled in college, where she completed successfully and was employed. She got married in 1990 and has three boys and one girl. Her husband is a veteran who has served in Afghanistan and Iraq.
One of the notable themes acknowledges the technological change that has affected the entire globe. She notes that since the inception of computers and other technological applications, the way of life has vastly changed. She notes that computers have adversely affected the healthy lifestyle that was enjoyed through engaging in physical activities and replaced it with a sedentary lifestyle that is characterized by increased lifestyle-related diseases. She also accuses the emergence of technological tools of rising unemployment as she recalls losing a job when the computers were introduced and was forced to take part-time computer classes.
She notes that technological applications have also made life better but fears the inability of the government to control technology advancement. She appreciates the use of the internet and its ability to enhance connectivity since she can reach her family, friends, and colleagues in real time. She fears that security issues revolving around the use of the internet may result in cybercrimes that have remained unabated. Jacobs claims that the security issues revolving around technology resulted in Hilary Clinton losing the presidential election to Trump. However, she appreciates the role of technology in advancing communication, biotechnology, and nanotechnology.
Jacobs hopes that the government can control technology advancement since it has become an integral part of humanity. The inability to control its advancement can result in discrepancies among the developed economies. She notes that China is technologically advanced than the U.S. and uses its technology to snitch over economies. Therefore, she demands global organizations to establish some global standards for controlling technological regulations.
In the political arena, she notes that U.S. politics have been advancing and are making main strides towards improving the lives of the Americans. Many lobby groups have influenced the policies being made across America. While some legislations have remained controversial, she claims that the empowerment of the minority groups is among the main issues that have been reflected over time. Although she refers to politicians been at the forefront in discussing controversial topics, she claims that lobby groups such as the ‘black lives matter’ being at the forefront to promote equality between the blacks and the whites. She claims advancement inequality among the Americans through the election of the first African-American president, Mr. President Barack Obama.
Over time she has also noted the advancement of the African-Americans on the corporate ladder and reduce male discrimination against women. Women such as Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin have proven that women have equal potential as men. The issue of gender equality has been realized in large parts of the U.S.; hence, the traditional role of women as housekeepers seems to become a thing of the past. The feminist groups have realized much of their goals in American and are extending their lobbying to other minority groups such as the LGBTQ.
Of concern is the diplomatic relations with Russia and China. Since the time of the Cold War that ended in the 1990s, the U.S. has used its military supremacy to maintain law and order; however, recent confrontations with China seem to be leading to the third world war. Just like the case of WWII, where Zinn claims the war was unnecessary, there is a general perception among the Americans that confrontation with China is superfluous. While the U.S economy seems complex compared to the Chinese economy, the U.S. needs to accept the latter’s economy is bigger than hers. The war with China is likely to be a cold war or military warfare. While the U.S. Army has been involved in many military operations across the world since the war in Afghanistan, it appears the Chinese military is preparing for war with the U.S. Hence, Chinese Army has been engaging in military drills with the Russian army. More so, China has been modernizing its army since it claims that the U.S. is triggering military competition across the globe. The tension between the U.S. and China is more apparent where the President public refers to Covid-19 as the Chinese virus. While the Cold War established new world order, the current situation across the globes appears to be beyond the U.S. control. This is because the U.S. has not stopped North Korea from making and experimenting with its nuclear weapons, and China’s economic growth poses a threat to U.S. dominance. She remembers Reagans administration through Reaganomics that were characterized by federal budget cuts and the arms race. At the same time, she recalls Bush’s leadership through the 1990 oil price shock that adversely influenced consumer purchasing power.
Russia and China are interested in surpassing U.S. power using all means possible to weaken NATO by having more allies and preventing other economies from joining the alliance. China’s technological advancement evident through 5G telecommunication makes all NATO members susceptible to espionage and other cybercrimes. At the same time, Russia’s aggression and breaking of international laws show her intention to bring global disorder similar to the one experienced during the Cold War.
Jacobs claims that new challenges have emerged in the 21st century, and the NATO, through the leadership, Americans need to keep abreast of the changes in the globe that pose threats. The emerging challenges include cybercrimes, nuclear proliferation, and global warming, among others. She notes that recently, the U.S. president has adopted a hands-off approach in the military operations, which means that the U.S government will engage in its military operations solely. This will increase the U.S authority will increase across the globe. That has become a concern for NATO members and non-members. The Hands-off approach gives the Pentagon power to engage without being checked. The U.S. military hands-off approach will also make the U.S. soldiers vulnerable. Therefore, Trump needs to accept that he has limited knowledge of military operations and consult widely before making wrong decisions similar to that occurred in Yemen, which he authorized and went wrong.
Unlike President Obama and President George W. Bush, who made military operations after close consultation, President Trump has empowered the Pentagon officials to make military decisions solely. As a result, many policymakers and governments are worried about the adverse effect of the approach due to the large number of civilians that will be affected besides crimes against humanity will escalate. While the approach has been mainly criticized, the pentagon officials applaud this strategy since they will make a military decision without political interference or being micromanaged.
More so, the U.S. military spending is justified since it has to secure its interests across the globe. Therefore, Trump’s claim that the U.S. may leave the alliance since its being overburdened is not justified. Leaving NATO is a piece of ill advice since it will weaken it and make both U.S. and Europe vulnerable as Japan during WWII, as Zinn claims. In the future, NATO needs to address the emerging challenges and ensure that it lays policies that will make a sound decision and protect its members from China and Russia. The U.S. input is critical for its survival since she has significantly advanced military infrastructure that can aid other economies should embrace that. The countries interested in joining the alliance should be provided with the necessary support to framework, which will make the coalition expand and become a dominant force in international affairs.
The U.S. should continue to be a member since it benefits from resources in Europe and continue to guide other members to be able to protect themselves. The U.S. has invested many resources in Europe, and leaving the alliance makes her vulnerable in diverse ways. In the 21st century, diversity is essential since economies have different resources that, when combined will make the alliance remain relevant. Jacobs appears to be more informed about NATO and is concerned about the American foreign policy and wishes that situation similar that which happened in WWII do not occur. IThis is because Zinn does not intend to find America being threatened by rigged systems such as those of China, Russia, and North Korea.
Jacobs ends the interview demanding the end of Islamophobia, male privilege, and Christian privilege. She requires the media to be accountable and transparent when reporting. She further demands the government to take action against media houses promoting stereotyping. Lastly, she hopes that America will define a strategy to establish a peaceful new world order.