Obama supports same sex marriage

Here is the Today show article :)
http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/05/09/11621156-obama-i-think-same-sex-couples-should-be-able-to-get-married?lite

Last entry..... of the semester!

I can't believe the semester is already over.  It seems like just last week we were sitting in class and introducing ourselves to each other.  When I first heard that we had to blog, I thought to myself, "Oh great, something else to do."  But I'm suprised that my attitude about it has changed completely.  I can't guarentee that I will continue to blog after this semester.  But if I do come across some crazy news article, then I will more than likely post it on here.  That is if anyone will still be reading this.

This whole new learning style has taught me things I would never really pay attention to without it.  For example: observations.  At the beginning of the semester I had no idea what I was supposed to be looking for.  Now, I notice things right away and have the urge to run to a computer and type it up in my observations.  Thursday I observed two different injustices that made me so angry I was practically punching it into the computer wondering why people act like this.


Between SW 327 & 325 I really got to here alot of y'all stories.  I have to say,  I do not consider myself a crier at all, but after this semester, that might be changing a little. =P  The Ted Talks, documentaries, and some of y'all stories have really touched me and I know I will not forget them or y'all.  So  all those 'catharsis' times we had kinda reminded me of this songs. (One of my favorite artists of all time, so yeah, I might be a little biased.)  And if you're one of those people who absolutely hate country music,  FYI it's country, so listen to it or don't.  It's kinda a tear jerker the first time around. I couldn't find the actual music video so lyrics will have to do.

Sooo....
Thanks to professor G for your different teaching methods which opened my eyes to things I have never thought about or noticed.  Thanks to all my classmates for sharing your thoughts on topics and sharing your personal stories with the culture boxes.  See you all in a couple of months!!!

Oh, and P.S.: the food y'all brought on Wednesday was absolutley amazingly delicious!!!!

HAVE A GREAT SUMMER EVERYONE!!!

Words of Wisdom from a 14 year old

http://thelook.today.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/05/02/11501927-14-year-old-girl-leads-protest-against-seventeen-demands-unaltered-photos?lite

A 14 year old girl is standing up against Seventeen Magazine demanding to see "regular girls that look like me in a magazine that's supposed to be for me."
She already has 25,00 supporters and will be protesting outside of Seventeen Headquarters in NY.

I think it is amazing that someone this young can stand up against the crowd.
If you support this cause, I encourage you to sign the online petition, link below.
http://www.change.org/petitions/seventeen-magazine-give-girls-images-of-real-girls

Thoughts, Projects, & Presentations

Let me just say that this class has truly been eye opening.  Walking into this class on the first day I had no clue what to expect.  It was a completely different style, and I am not one in favor of drastic changes.  However, I have to say that this class has been an amazing experience in several different ways.

Project H:

Wow, talk about an experience.  At the beginning of the semester this group set out to interview homeless individuals to better understand what they need.  Let me say that 'saying we are going to do it', and actually 'doing it' are two different things.  I was very nervous to start up my interview, but so glad that I did.  Not to get too researchy, but I loooovvvee qualitative data so much more than quantitative.  Sure we get statistics and percentages, but without these personal stories, I feel like we are missing a big piece of the puzzle.  I learned so much from 'Edge' and Angel House, and from my other group members' experiences.  The homeless population is an issue I know exists, but I have never really felt that passionate about until now.
We are all individuals on this planet trying to survive, some with more difficulty than others.  I feel like the media plays a large role in stigmas and stereotypes, and I hope to one day break free of these false images and see all people who for they truly are.

Thanks to my groupies and hope to see y'all in my classes next semester!

Presentations:
Getting to see what everyone has been working on this semester is exciting!  I can't wait to see next week's presentations as well.  It's great to see what others are passionate about and what outcomes come about when people put their minds together.  After work Activism was awesome, I feel like a group like this can easily get people talking on so many different social justice issues.  The action plans that the other groups had were great as well.  If some of them actually take off from more than a 'plan', then I would definetely like to get more involved!


What will I do about problems that I feel most passionate about?
Johnson in 131 of Adams:
1. Acknowledge that a problem exists.
2. Pay Attention.
3. Learn to Listen.
4. Do Something.

Adultism: Drivers

Before taking any social work classes I never really thought that older adults were discriminated against on a regular basis.
However, looking back at my experiences I noticed how often I assume things about older adults.
When I was younger and riding in the car with my family, I never quite understood what my dad meant when he said, "Get out of the way Grandpa!"  I would usually crane my neck to see if in fact it was my grandpa driving the car infront of us.  It took me years (sadly, up until mid-late teenager) to figure out that he was making fun of the driver, and that it was not one of my family members.
When I started driving a few years ago, I noticed I would do about the same thing.  If I saw a car that 'looked' like an older adult would be driving it, I did my best to make sure that the driver didn't pull out infront of me.  This is a total hypocritical thing for me to do, considering I drive a large, older truck, with handicap plates, so I'm sure people think the same thing about me when I'm driving.

"Old people need to take a drivers test at like 50 to see if they can still drive! If not they should not be allowed out after dark!"
This is what I saw when I logged into facebook one day.  One of my friends, who was in my graduating class at high school posted this as his status. Maybe if I was still living at home and never experienced 'the real world' I would share that opinion (but I seriously hope not).  Age 50, really?  That's not old at all.  My mom is in her mid 50s and drives just fine. Without this experience and learning about these different types of oppression and discrimintation, I would not be as aware of the discrimination and oppression that occurs every day in our society.

Red Lips = Upper Class?

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/46892437/ns/today-style/t/virgin-atlantic-launches-upper-class-red-lipstick/#.T4NZxfJ27To

Virgin Airlines recently launched their 'upper class red' lipstick. (Seriously, that's what it's called.) The flight attendants in the upper class cabins are required to wear it as part of their uniform, which already consists of red attire with red heels

(Goes into info-mercial voice)
Look! these women put on the lipstick and already they're smiling and laughing!
This lipstick can be yours too with one payment of $16.00. Or fly upper class on Virgin Airlines and receive a free sample. Fly while supplies last! (End of info-mercial voice)

At the end of the news article it jokes that Jet Blue may have a 'True Blue' eyeshadow.  -_-
I seriously hope not.

Maybe I'm going a little overboard on this, but I think it's kinda ridiculous. 
Thoughts?

Transgendered America

Listening to everyone's experiences in class on Wednesday was amazing.  Before this section in Adams I never gave any thought to what it was like to be transgendered, and probably because I came frome a small town where this was never even mentioned.  As far as I know, I personally have not met or had a close relationship with anyone transgendered. 

All of my knowledge has come from television, which is not at all accurate. (Like we talked in class) When I first hear the word transgendered I automatically think about drag queens or competitions.  I realize that this is not right but due to watching television all of my life, it's left long lasting affects and I can hope to get rid of this negative stereotype

In class when we discussed in our groups what our experiences were like, I talked about the difficulty of what it is like addressing people.  For example, if I come in contact with someone, and I'm not entirely sure which gender they are, I feel really uncomfortable and don't know how to address the individual.  I try to be neutral and not use pronouns in front of them, but this can be difficult and awkward.

Here is a clip of a Tyra episode where they brought children and parents out on stage to talk about their experiences. (Although I'm not a huge fan of Tyra because I feel like she exploits and degrades her guests, this one is interesting.)

Safe Travels this weekend!