Anthropologist helps Soldiers understand needs of Iraqi people

Photo By Staff Sgt. James Hunter | Capt. Thomas H. Melton, a native of Shreveport, La., and commander of Troop A, 1st...... read more read more

Photo By Staff Sgt. James Hunter | Capt. Thomas H. Melton, a native of Shreveport, La., and commander of Troop A, 1st Squadron, 75th Cavalry Regiment, and Dr. Marcus Griffin, anthropologist for the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) talk with an Iraqi woman inside her home in Ghazaliyah, Iraq, Jan. 13.  see less | View Image Page

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

01.24.2008

Story by Staff Sgt. James Hunter 

2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (AA) Public Affairs

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By Sgt. James P. Hunter
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division

BAGHDAD—To measure economic growth, one must venture out into the community and interact with the local populace. In the streets of Baghdad, a simple-minded person from a foreign land can look at the streets cluttered with trash, roads bent out of shape and think poverty, "third-world country." But it goes deeper than that to some of the simpler things of life – the produce.

Before being "thin" or "chiseled" were the so called thing in Western societies, wealth was measured by how healthy one ate, which meant people were predominately thicker; in turn, wealthier.

In Iraq food is no different, said Dr. Marcus Griffin. Wealthier Iraqis eat rice, lamb and fish. Poorer individuals eat bread, eggs and beans. However, all Iraqis have one thing in common: their daily intake of cucumbers and tomatoes. The difference is the quality of these products.

"These are quick indicators of market infrastructure," Griffin said.

Economic growth can easily be measured by the quality of produce in these inner-city markets, he said.

Griffin, an anthropologist, is helping Soldiers and leaders from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), better understand the needs and living conditions of the Iraqi citizens in northwest Baghdad. Griffin is a 40-year-old professor who put his teaching on hold for a year to bring his knowledge and experience to the fight.

Using anthropology and sociology methods, he tries to determine whether the micro-grants are having any affect on the communities. Griffin often looks at the quality of produce, the quality of fish, and where they are getting their tomatoes. This helps him assess the growing economy. The better the quality, the more the economy is growing.

"His expertise in analyzing the type of food being sold in the markets has been useful," said Shreveport, La., native, Capt. Thomas H. Melton, commander of Troop A, 1st Squadron, 75th Cavalry Regiment. "He was able to explain the markets in my (area of operations) are receiving poor quality fruits and vegetables, indicating the area is fairly poor and malnourished."

Recently, Griffin toured the markets in southern Ghazaliyah with Strike Soldiers from Troop A, 1-75th Cav.

There are four markets in southern Ghazaliyah: 8th Street, Nafla, Afran, and Zawia.

"All four have shown substantial growth since my (transfer of authority) in early December. With the exception of Zawia, the markets are all traditional, open air markets with bakeries, butcher shops, and fruit and vegetable stands," he said. "These markets cater to the residents of Ghazaliyah from within the muhallahs. Zawia market is more like a western style strip mall catering to traffic on a main highway."

Throughout the past year, there was heavy fighting in the area, damaging much of the market, but with security set, the economy is seeing much growth.

"Store owners are returning everyday, but this market is very much in a rebuilding phase. The other markets are each seeing expansion, specifically Nafla and Afran," Melton said. "The presence of new stores, including restaurants, indicates that the economy is improving and the people feel secure."

Griffin wanted to see the economic boost and help identify the needs of these Iraqis to help the economy grow even more, because, according to Griffin, "A bakery can change a neighborhood with just the basic necessity of bread. It can cause change, especially to the economy."

And that is where Griffin started his day, at the local bakery talking with some of its workers.

According to Melton, the doctor has taken special interest in this bakery and "will help us facilitate a micro grant approval for this business in order to study the effects that the micro grant process has on the community."

The smell of freshly baked bread straight out of the kiln filled the afternoon air as they approached the bakery. Three men worked inside under no lighting except for the glow of the fire baking the bread. The bakery sells nearly 10 pieces at a time at 1,250 dinars. But keeping the business running is a problem. Having the money to purchase flour and fuel can be quite difficult.

A micro-grant is just what they need to boost their business and the community as a whole.

Griffin toured much of the area that day, spending quality time with an Iraqi family. They sipped on chai tea, ate lamb patties and discussed much of their needs in the area. Their needs, however, mostly dealt with the electricity. Lately, they are only getting a half-hour of electricity a day. Meanwhile, Griffin noted all the difficulties they are facing, hoping to fully understand their needs and what it would take to satisfy their desires.

"The biggest needs of the Iraqi people are the improvement of essential services. The residents average between one and two hours of electricity per day. The lack of electricity forces them to spend much of their income on black market fuel to run generators," said Melton. "Additionally, it prevents the sewage pump stations from working, which contributes to the bad standing water problems in the streets."

Griffin also stopped at a fruit stand during his visit, oddly noticing it selling coconut—a rarity, to his knowledge, in Iraq. This here shows signs of growth, having the ability to bring in an exotic, luxurious food.

"As we move toward tactical over watch, we need to see visual indicators quickly of how the community and economy is doing – see the growth within," said Griffin. "It keeps a pulse on the population."