Cory is a premedical student working on a community health project in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania under the Samuel Huntington Public Service Award (Fall 2011 – Summer 2012). He graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with majors in Biology, Africana Studies, and the History & Philosophy of Science, and he conducted an undergraduate research thesis in Medical Anthropology. His goal is to practice as a physician and public health worker within marginalized communities. He is writing as a Sex and Justice Issues Analyst to explore women’s health issues in the context of oppression, violence, and moralization. He enjoys watching Australian rules football and drinks his tea with milk and salt.
Cory Rodgers – Issue Analyst
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Arrested Development… Whose Fault?
February 27, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Since the New Year, I've spent quite a few evenings talking with young Tanzanian men about... well... lot's of stuff. Initially, I was the instigator for most of issues we discussed: Why do so many of the students drop out before completing secondary school? Why aren't people in the city taking advantage of urban farming? Why are so many people here late for meetings? What did I learn? For one, foreign aid and international development experts definitely did NOT construct their theories in collaboration with Tanzanian students. According to … [Read more...]
Organic Intellectuals: looking to African leaders in the reproductive rights movement
December 25, 2011 By Leave a Comment
The movement to improve women’s reproductive rights and health is usually painted by cultural relativists as a battle between well-intentioned Western liberators and the diverse (but often male-dominated) cultural traditionalists in the world’s developing countries. And this can be an easy picture to paint, given the prominent role played by groups such as USAID and the United Nations – organizations directed primarily from the global North. Sure, native women involved in grassroots efforts receive recognition, but they are usually portrayed as … [Read more...]
Misplaced morality and the women of Uwanja wa Fisi
October 31, 2011 By 3 Comments
Hamza and his friend cracked jokes as we walked through the Tandale slums, but their laughs were stifled as we reached Uwanja wa Fisi. They persisted in their banter to lighten the mood, sometimes teasing me because wazungu (white people) like me don't frequent this area for business; most male foreigners seek the company of women in the upscale hotels in Dar es Salaam's beachside areas. However, as we turned a corner and proceeded down a series of thin alleys, it became evident that they shared my discomfort. The cement walls were lined with … [Read more...]
