Wednesday, May 9, 2012
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
Saturday, May 5, 2012
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!!!
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!!!
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
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
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
Friday, April 27, 2012
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.
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.
Saturday, April 21, 2012
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.
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.
Monday, April 9, 2012
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?
Saturday, April 7, 2012
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!
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!
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Wrap up, more Adams & LaKay
So class on Wednesday was interesting to say the least. When I was at work on Tuesday a co-worker showed me the cartoon and asked me what I thought about it. I just stood there kind of staring at it for a while not able to form a sentence. I finally managed to sputter out that I wasn't sure if it was really bad, or good. He, a black man, just looked at me with his head tilted to the side and asked in what way could this be good. The only thing I could think of is that it will bring more attention to this issue. I wasn't sure if it was a racist cartoon, or a cartoon about racism. Either way, I would hate to think that the artist of this cartoon will get kicked out for sharing her opinion. We all have the right to say, think, and draw as we wish; it was after all in the opinion section. I hope that she can (to some point) remain anonymous to the public to prevent further backlash.
____________________
The last couple of Adams Chapters I read were really frustrating to me. Although they were really interesting, it bothers me that we still have to fight for equality. I found chapter 84 to be one of the most interesting. Ellen Goodman wrote about how gay adoption plays a role in her life. I know some religions will not suport this, but I was not aware that Mitt Romney filed a bill to grant religious exemption to discrimination laws. (I do not follow politics THAT closely, so maybe I'm behind a bit.) Goodman raises the question that if you give a church permission to discriminate against gays, what will come next? Discrimination against race and religion for people who want to adopt? Now there are 16 states working to pass laws tha ban gay adoptions. I feel like we are taking a step back in our society with these laws. The 2000 Census estimated 250,000 kids were being raised by same sex couples. Same sex couples are just as capable of raising a family as a heterosexual couple!
________________
I wrote about LaKay in one of my earlier blogs. She is a young girl with cerebral palsy at a school in the Houston area and recently fell using her walker. Now the school district wants to take away her walker and put her in a wheelchair
Here is the Today Show clip and story:
http://moms.today.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/03/29/10910817-school-bans-girl-with-cerebral-palsy-from-using-walker
This is a petition, sign to support LaKay, I know I did :)
http://search.proquest.com/socabs/docview/61592054/135C5EB2B3D520EFCF7/6?accountid=7118
HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND!
____________________
The last couple of Adams Chapters I read were really frustrating to me. Although they were really interesting, it bothers me that we still have to fight for equality. I found chapter 84 to be one of the most interesting. Ellen Goodman wrote about how gay adoption plays a role in her life. I know some religions will not suport this, but I was not aware that Mitt Romney filed a bill to grant religious exemption to discrimination laws. (I do not follow politics THAT closely, so maybe I'm behind a bit.) Goodman raises the question that if you give a church permission to discriminate against gays, what will come next? Discrimination against race and religion for people who want to adopt? Now there are 16 states working to pass laws tha ban gay adoptions. I feel like we are taking a step back in our society with these laws. The 2000 Census estimated 250,000 kids were being raised by same sex couples. Same sex couples are just as capable of raising a family as a heterosexual couple!
________________
I wrote about LaKay in one of my earlier blogs. She is a young girl with cerebral palsy at a school in the Houston area and recently fell using her walker. Now the school district wants to take away her walker and put her in a wheelchair
Here is the Today Show clip and story:
http://moms.today.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/03/29/10910817-school-bans-girl-with-cerebral-palsy-from-using-walker
This is a petition, sign to support LaKay, I know I did :)
http://search.proquest.com/socabs/docview/61592054/135C5EB2B3D520EFCF7/6?accountid=7118
HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND!
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Women in the Advertisement World
After reading chapter 66 of Adams, it reminded me of some topics we went over in one of my sociology classes: the media and it's use of the female body. Everywhere you look there are advertisements, there is no way to escape it. However, the ads you see on television now are getting a bit more risque.
For example one night I was watching the Oxygen channel and fell asleep watching tv. I wake up in the middle of the night to them selling sex toys on tv! (sorry if I'm making any of you comfortable, but just throwing this out there.) Could you imagine how awkward that would be if one of my family members happened to walk in and see that? I know I would be thouroughly embarrassed. You're probably thinking, "So, what, it is the middle of the night." And I would agree; however, it also gets weird when your watching television with your mom and all the sudden a trojan or KY yours and mine commercial comes on the screen. Especially if there is a kid in the room with their head tilted to the side trying to make sense of what just happened. (Come on, I know I can't be the only one weirded out by this.)
Ok, back to my original ramble about body image. Everybody knows it and there is no use in denying it that sex sells, but does this really need to be taken to the extreme? One advertisement (that I thought I would never see again after Paris Hilton) is the Carls Jr. commercial. Seriously? You think looking at a half clothed women makes me hungry, let alone want to eat one of your stinking burgers? Heck no! (just in case y'all havent seen it, it's below) Any time it comes on TV I can't imagine wanting to eat their food, but yet I bet their sales have increased.
Another thing that is blown extremely out of proportion is the way women look in magazines. Models, celebrities in photo shoots, they all get photo shopped when they look perfect in the first place. The young women who read these magazines, (I'll admit it I read Seventeen and Cosmo girl) wish to look like these women who are now completely fake. In my sociology class last semester we watched a documentary, Codes of Gender. (available at the Fine Arts Library, I recommend it!) It talked about how women place themselves in ads to look vulnerable, or how they rely on men and are the submissive character when photographed with males. To appear vulnerable women touch their face, cant, and have the weird neck bend. Some of their positions are so awkward, you know it can't be comfortable. The documentary even went on to discuss how males ALWAYS have to appear dominant or rugged in photos or else it is considered gay advertisement. For example you will never see a man holding his face or akward poses like women. They always stand strong, trying to get the dominant or mysterious look. It was last semester so I can't remember all of the details, but I highly suggest you check it out.
This a few years old, but if y'all haven't seen it already, it is really eye opening.
Lastly,
Katie Hobbs, a representative of Arizona, is trying to pass a bill which would require advertisers to put a disclaimer on their advertisment if it was in anyway airbrushed. I personally think this is a great idea. Young women (teenagers-early 20's) are so impressionable. Looking at thin women withn no imperfections is who most of those girls would like to be. However if this bill was passed (which Hobbs thinks it has little chance, but is still trying) it would show the young women in our society that no one is perfect and we all have our flaws. Below is the link to an AZ news article. I encourage you to read it to find out a little more info. Have a great weekend!
http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2012/02/14/20120214arizona-bill-takes-aim-airbrushed-women-ads.html
For example one night I was watching the Oxygen channel and fell asleep watching tv. I wake up in the middle of the night to them selling sex toys on tv! (sorry if I'm making any of you comfortable, but just throwing this out there.) Could you imagine how awkward that would be if one of my family members happened to walk in and see that? I know I would be thouroughly embarrassed. You're probably thinking, "So, what, it is the middle of the night." And I would agree; however, it also gets weird when your watching television with your mom and all the sudden a trojan or KY yours and mine commercial comes on the screen. Especially if there is a kid in the room with their head tilted to the side trying to make sense of what just happened. (Come on, I know I can't be the only one weirded out by this.)
Ok, back to my original ramble about body image. Everybody knows it and there is no use in denying it that sex sells, but does this really need to be taken to the extreme? One advertisement (that I thought I would never see again after Paris Hilton) is the Carls Jr. commercial. Seriously? You think looking at a half clothed women makes me hungry, let alone want to eat one of your stinking burgers? Heck no! (just in case y'all havent seen it, it's below) Any time it comes on TV I can't imagine wanting to eat their food, but yet I bet their sales have increased.
Another thing that is blown extremely out of proportion is the way women look in magazines. Models, celebrities in photo shoots, they all get photo shopped when they look perfect in the first place. The young women who read these magazines, (I'll admit it I read Seventeen and Cosmo girl) wish to look like these women who are now completely fake. In my sociology class last semester we watched a documentary, Codes of Gender. (available at the Fine Arts Library, I recommend it!) It talked about how women place themselves in ads to look vulnerable, or how they rely on men and are the submissive character when photographed with males. To appear vulnerable women touch their face, cant, and have the weird neck bend. Some of their positions are so awkward, you know it can't be comfortable. The documentary even went on to discuss how males ALWAYS have to appear dominant or rugged in photos or else it is considered gay advertisement. For example you will never see a man holding his face or akward poses like women. They always stand strong, trying to get the dominant or mysterious look. It was last semester so I can't remember all of the details, but I highly suggest you check it out.
This a few years old, but if y'all haven't seen it already, it is really eye opening.
Lastly,
Katie Hobbs, a representative of Arizona, is trying to pass a bill which would require advertisers to put a disclaimer on their advertisment if it was in anyway airbrushed. I personally think this is a great idea. Young women (teenagers-early 20's) are so impressionable. Looking at thin women withn no imperfections is who most of those girls would like to be. However if this bill was passed (which Hobbs thinks it has little chance, but is still trying) it would show the young women in our society that no one is perfect and we all have our flaws. Below is the link to an AZ news article. I encourage you to read it to find out a little more info. Have a great weekend!
http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2012/02/14/20120214arizona-bill-takes-aim-airbrushed-women-ads.html
Thursday, March 22, 2012
School District Takes Away Child's Walker
Hey hope everyone is having a great week. This is something one of my friends on Facebook posted yesterday and I just wanted to share it and get the word out there. A school district is trying to prevent one of their students who has cerebral palsy from using her walker (that she has been using for the past two years) because it is not safe. Listen to what this 'employee' has to say about it. I just discovered it so I'll try to find more on it in my post for this weekend. The music at the beginning (although I'm kind of ashamed to say it) I felt was just a sympathy thing, but the first steps are very touching. I encourage y'all to repost this and spread the word. In the comments below the video you can see people are already taking action.
In just one day the video got about 8500 views so share it!
Saturday, March 3, 2012
'The High Cost of Low Price'
Walmart. What is there to say about it? Before Monday I would've said something like, "I love Walmart! Cheaper than the other places." But now I have experienced something I will never forget. I feel like the documentary "Walmart: The High Cost of Low Price" forever changed my opinion of the store.
First off, I never knew anything about the changes walmart was making in communities. To see the small 'Ma and Pop' stores run out of business was heart breaking. These people built their business from the ground up and have been running it for generations! All it took was one Walmart to pop up and these small businesses were immediately run into the ground.
When the documentary first started I was wondering why previous workers were agreeing to participate in this film. Then I realized why! Horrible benefits, no chance of promotion, poor work conditions overseas, and the fact that you can't even whisper the word union without your job being in jeopardy!
There are so many things wrong with this that I can't even point out which one annoys me the most. So I'll just list another. The fact that their own employees can donate a total of 5 million dollars to help their co-workers is amazing. Whats even more amazing is that the stingy owners of the company only donated $6,000! Really? You are worth billions of dollars! There is no possible way you can spend that money in one life time so why not give it away!!
I think we can all see how the issue of social justice ties into this. With a multi-billion dollar corporation, how can you encourage your employees to use government assistance. Kudos to the people who have taken their issues to court to fight this evil corporation. I hope with all of those lawsuits that some type of justice can be brought to all these people who deserve much better.
So, after that long ramble I would like to say that from here on out, (technically since Monday) I am going to try my best to boycott Walmart stores. I know this will be extrememely difficult, but I do not want to support a corporation like this in any way. No groceries, no school supplies, no health products, and no gas. At this point I don't even want to be associated with a corporation like that.
After we watched it in class I went home and literally told my sister and brother-in-law every detail I could remember. So now after sharing the knowledge my sister wants to see it to become more aware of these issues. She also told me about another documentary, 'Food Inc.' I haven't watched it yet, but you can expect me to report back on it when I do. Here is a short preview of it if you're interested, have a great weekend!
First off, I never knew anything about the changes walmart was making in communities. To see the small 'Ma and Pop' stores run out of business was heart breaking. These people built their business from the ground up and have been running it for generations! All it took was one Walmart to pop up and these small businesses were immediately run into the ground.
When the documentary first started I was wondering why previous workers were agreeing to participate in this film. Then I realized why! Horrible benefits, no chance of promotion, poor work conditions overseas, and the fact that you can't even whisper the word union without your job being in jeopardy!
There are so many things wrong with this that I can't even point out which one annoys me the most. So I'll just list another. The fact that their own employees can donate a total of 5 million dollars to help their co-workers is amazing. Whats even more amazing is that the stingy owners of the company only donated $6,000! Really? You are worth billions of dollars! There is no possible way you can spend that money in one life time so why not give it away!!
I think we can all see how the issue of social justice ties into this. With a multi-billion dollar corporation, how can you encourage your employees to use government assistance. Kudos to the people who have taken their issues to court to fight this evil corporation. I hope with all of those lawsuits that some type of justice can be brought to all these people who deserve much better.
So, after that long ramble I would like to say that from here on out, (technically since Monday) I am going to try my best to boycott Walmart stores. I know this will be extrememely difficult, but I do not want to support a corporation like this in any way. No groceries, no school supplies, no health products, and no gas. At this point I don't even want to be associated with a corporation like that.
After we watched it in class I went home and literally told my sister and brother-in-law every detail I could remember. So now after sharing the knowledge my sister wants to see it to become more aware of these issues. She also told me about another documentary, 'Food Inc.' I haven't watched it yet, but you can expect me to report back on it when I do. Here is a short preview of it if you're interested, have a great weekend!
Friday, February 24, 2012
The Debt for Diploma System
Chapter 31 of Adams caught my attention of the student debt problem and taught me some things I didn’t really know about, and some things that I can personally vouch for.
The GI Bill is something I have heard of but didn’t really know what it was, so let me make this short. This bill was created to help returning veterans ‘readjust’ to the civilian lifestyle by providing money for education. In 1948 veterans received an annual amount of $500. You’re probably thinking, “So what, that’s enough money for rent.” I thought the same thing until I read that back then that was enough money to cover almost a full year’s tuition at Harvard! Another step forward for students was the Higher Education Act which extended benefits to those who are not veterans. LBJ’s plan in this was to allow every high school student to go to college, no matter what their background by providing funding such as Pell Grants.
One section in this chapter gave some ‘cost-reduction strategies;’ one of them being community colleges. For two and a half years I attended a community college and MADE money going to school. Tuition was very low, about $40 a credit. So if you are a full time student taking 4 or more courses a semester, you’re looking at spending about $500 a semester on tuition. Add in about $150-$200 for books and your still under $1,000 a semester!
Luckily I was eligible to receive financial aid through FASFA, so I received the Pell Grant every year. If I remember right it was around $3,000 to $4,000. Every semester I banked almost $1,000, just by going to school! Include a part time job on campus and after a while I had a nice cushion of a savings account. I decided to get my associates just in case I needed something to fall back on if I didn’t finish school, but in the end found myself looking at universities. Once I transferred here to UT, I found out that grants were nowhere near enough to cover tuition, and let’s not forget books. So like many of the other students here, student loans are a must to cover costs. Just like the stories told in the chapter, I too, and most of you will have similar stories to tell of how long it takes to pay off the loans.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Racism & American Indians
Chapter 10 of Adams talks about 'the real problem with Indian mascots,' and how they are used all over, but many do not see the problem with this. Coming from a school district who's mascot was the 'Braves,' has got me thinking that I may have been a passive racist all of those years. Reading the beginning of the chapter described my high school almost perfectly.
If you walked down our school halls on a regular day you could see our school colors and pictures of tomawak and Indian head dresses. I remember our actuall mascot wore a large head dress with large feathers and beads. I am not well educated on Native American history, but I'm pretty sure that the 'braves' or warriors, were not the ones wearing head dresses that a chief, or leader of the tribe would wear. The name of our mascott was 'LaCoNaJo,' the first two letters of the four towns that made up our school district. I have no idea how someone thought of this name or why it stuck, but i guess someone suggested it and they 'thought it sounded like a native name.' These two things alone show our ignorance of this culture.
On a Friday night the bleachers would be full of people showing their school spirit. I was in the band and remember one song inparticular called 'On the Warpath.' This was the song that would pump up the football players and everyone in the bleachers when we were down in the last couple minutes of the game. The cheerleaders and whole audience would be going with the beat of the music doing the 'tomahawk chop' with their arms. As if that wasn't bad enough, this is even harder to admit. We celebrated our school spirit all the time; even if it was during the National Anthem. As you all know, the end line of the national anthem is, "and the home of the brave." Well at every football game it was no surprise to hear the audiance, cheerleaders, and the football players shout out 'BRAVES!' rather than brave on the last word of the anthem.
I don't mean to bash my school, and part of me still feels like this is just a mascot and a sense of belonging for a small community, but another part of me knows this is wrong and something should be done to change it. But in a small town like that, who would be willing to change a tradition that is well over 50 years old?
On a side note, I want to share this article with y'all.
http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2012/02/14/20120214arizona-bill-takes-aim-airbrushed-women-ads.html (Don't worry, it's just a short news article)
I heard about it on the radio and decided to look it up online. This was one of the first google results so if you want more information on this you'll probably have to dig a little deeper. I think this is an amazing thing that Katie Hobbs is doing and would like to know y'alls opinions, so comment about it. :) Enjoy the rest of the weekend!
If you walked down our school halls on a regular day you could see our school colors and pictures of tomawak and Indian head dresses. I remember our actuall mascot wore a large head dress with large feathers and beads. I am not well educated on Native American history, but I'm pretty sure that the 'braves' or warriors, were not the ones wearing head dresses that a chief, or leader of the tribe would wear. The name of our mascott was 'LaCoNaJo,' the first two letters of the four towns that made up our school district. I have no idea how someone thought of this name or why it stuck, but i guess someone suggested it and they 'thought it sounded like a native name.' These two things alone show our ignorance of this culture.
On a Friday night the bleachers would be full of people showing their school spirit. I was in the band and remember one song inparticular called 'On the Warpath.' This was the song that would pump up the football players and everyone in the bleachers when we were down in the last couple minutes of the game. The cheerleaders and whole audience would be going with the beat of the music doing the 'tomahawk chop' with their arms. As if that wasn't bad enough, this is even harder to admit. We celebrated our school spirit all the time; even if it was during the National Anthem. As you all know, the end line of the national anthem is, "and the home of the brave." Well at every football game it was no surprise to hear the audiance, cheerleaders, and the football players shout out 'BRAVES!' rather than brave on the last word of the anthem.
I don't mean to bash my school, and part of me still feels like this is just a mascot and a sense of belonging for a small community, but another part of me knows this is wrong and something should be done to change it. But in a small town like that, who would be willing to change a tradition that is well over 50 years old?
On a side note, I want to share this article with y'all.
http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2012/02/14/20120214arizona-bill-takes-aim-airbrushed-women-ads.html (Don't worry, it's just a short news article)
I heard about it on the radio and decided to look it up online. This was one of the first google results so if you want more information on this you'll probably have to dig a little deeper. I think this is an amazing thing that Katie Hobbs is doing and would like to know y'alls opinions, so comment about it. :) Enjoy the rest of the weekend!
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Another Zinn Rant
Although Zinn's readings are interesting, I can't help but question what I've learned about history up to this point. To me his book is like 'the truth' of history; he is not afraid to give it to us straight or worry about judgement. I found Chapter 7 (the reading on the Native American tribes and Jackson) to be just as interesting as Columbus; mostly because there was information in here that I never knew about.
In the beginning years of Washington's presidency, his secretary of War, Henry Knox, agreed that Indians were the 'prior occupants and posses the right of soil.' And Jefferson as well said that Indians who lived within state boundaries were not to be messed with, and that any white settlers in their area would be removed. However, this did not stop the white settlers. They moved west past the mountains and within 9 years, outnumbered the Indians 1 to 8.
In past history classes, of course I have read about Indian removal and their sufferings, but that's never really how I ever thought about it. I would slightly like to blame television for part of this. When I was younger, there was nothing I loved more than sitting around and watching westerns with my family on the weekends. (Strange, I know.) While not all of the movies and shows were alike, I always got the sense that the Indians were the 'bad guys' for attacking the white settlers. I always thought things like 'Why are they attacking? All these people are doing is trying to pass through their land.' Today I would love to have a nice house up in the hills with plenty of land around as my source of income. No city noise, no nosey neighbors, just land all around. And I know this is how the settlers felt. However, they didn't realize that the land wasn't theirs. The government had no right to set up 'Indian territories' forcing them to live here and not there while these new immigrants took over their natural land.
But over the years I am slowly learning the real truth. Something Zinn opened my eyes to was the real Andrew Jackson and his Indian raids. Jackson had a 'round about way' of getting what he wanted, but in the end we all know how it worked out. It still amazes me that what I learned in grade school and what I am learning today about American history are two completely different things.
In the beginning years of Washington's presidency, his secretary of War, Henry Knox, agreed that Indians were the 'prior occupants and posses the right of soil.' And Jefferson as well said that Indians who lived within state boundaries were not to be messed with, and that any white settlers in their area would be removed. However, this did not stop the white settlers. They moved west past the mountains and within 9 years, outnumbered the Indians 1 to 8.
In past history classes, of course I have read about Indian removal and their sufferings, but that's never really how I ever thought about it. I would slightly like to blame television for part of this. When I was younger, there was nothing I loved more than sitting around and watching westerns with my family on the weekends. (Strange, I know.) While not all of the movies and shows were alike, I always got the sense that the Indians were the 'bad guys' for attacking the white settlers. I always thought things like 'Why are they attacking? All these people are doing is trying to pass through their land.' Today I would love to have a nice house up in the hills with plenty of land around as my source of income. No city noise, no nosey neighbors, just land all around. And I know this is how the settlers felt. However, they didn't realize that the land wasn't theirs. The government had no right to set up 'Indian territories' forcing them to live here and not there while these new immigrants took over their natural land.
But over the years I am slowly learning the real truth. Something Zinn opened my eyes to was the real Andrew Jackson and his Indian raids. Jackson had a 'round about way' of getting what he wanted, but in the end we all know how it worked out. It still amazes me that what I learned in grade school and what I am learning today about American history are two completely different things.
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Zinn's Columbus
Alright, first off let me say WOW.
Who is this Columbus guy? Definitely not the same one I learned about in books back in grade school. I always thought 'Columbus was a hero! He found our land. He sailed the blue in 1492.'
Man were those school books totally bias. Then again I don't know if it is appropriate to tell children that a man we celebrate every year is actually a theif, kidnapper, and a murderer.
Already I can say I am looking foward to reading the rest of Zinn's book. Even just the first few pages for me were eye opening. To me, Columbus became a power hungry man. After returning back to Spain from his first voyage, he promised the king and queen something they had extreme difficulty finding; gold. So Columbus decides to have a 'slave raid'. The spainards rounded up over 1500 natives, women and children included. Instread of returning to spain empty handed, he shows up with with 500 NATIVES! People ripped right out of the only life they knew. And of those 500, 200 died on the voyage back.
What does this remind me of? WWII, Hitler, Nazi Germany. Both of their actions may have been for different reasons, but both cases were genocide. For Columbus, the natives were forced to find gold. If they didn't find enough their limbs were cut off. In other cases the natives ran off when they were caught they faced muskets, swords, or being burned to death. Mass suicides began and within 150 years, no original native descendants were left on the island.
In Germany during WWII Hitler had control of the Nazis. People were also rounded up, shot down, or put into camps where many were sent to death. (You all know the story so I don't really need to elaborate.)
But if it has happened before, is it happening now, and can it happen again?
On a lighter note:
Who is this Columbus guy? Definitely not the same one I learned about in books back in grade school. I always thought 'Columbus was a hero! He found our land. He sailed the blue in 1492.'
Man were those school books totally bias. Then again I don't know if it is appropriate to tell children that a man we celebrate every year is actually a theif, kidnapper, and a murderer.
Already I can say I am looking foward to reading the rest of Zinn's book. Even just the first few pages for me were eye opening. To me, Columbus became a power hungry man. After returning back to Spain from his first voyage, he promised the king and queen something they had extreme difficulty finding; gold. So Columbus decides to have a 'slave raid'. The spainards rounded up over 1500 natives, women and children included. Instread of returning to spain empty handed, he shows up with with 500 NATIVES! People ripped right out of the only life they knew. And of those 500, 200 died on the voyage back.
What does this remind me of? WWII, Hitler, Nazi Germany. Both of their actions may have been for different reasons, but both cases were genocide. For Columbus, the natives were forced to find gold. If they didn't find enough their limbs were cut off. In other cases the natives ran off when they were caught they faced muskets, swords, or being burned to death. Mass suicides began and within 150 years, no original native descendants were left on the island.
In Germany during WWII Hitler had control of the Nazis. People were also rounded up, shot down, or put into camps where many were sent to death. (You all know the story so I don't really need to elaborate.)
But if it has happened before, is it happening now, and can it happen again?
On a lighter note:
Friday, January 27, 2012
Allies
In reading the chapters assigned in Adams, I found most of it to be very interesting, and several parts stood out to me. One part in particular was the section 'Allies.' According to Adams, allies are "members of the advantaged group who act against the oppression from which they derive power, privilege, and acceptance." While I do not consider myself a strong 'activist,' I still feel like I can relate to this.
Several years ago my father was diagnosed with cancer, which eventually led to him using a wheelchair and handicap plates or tags for our vehicles. Whenever we went out into public people would stare at us, mainly my dad, like something was wrong or abnormal. Really? What is there to stare at? It's a person in a wheelchair, not a weird freak of science or something!
The simple task of parking and getting out o your vehicle isn't so easy when your mobility is impaired. We would park in handicap spots, IF they were available, but I remember several cases when there were vehicles without handicap plates or tags parked in the handicap spots. One time even led to a verbal confrontation (or should I say shouting match) in the parking lot between my mother and another person. I guess you could consider her more of an activist than me. One of my biggest pet peeves to this day, is people parking in handicap spots illegally.
Another thing this experience opened my eyes to was the entrance into buildings. How are people in wheelchairs or other mobility problems supposed to get inside without a ramp? Newly constructed buildings are required to meet these needs, but some older buildings have an intricate system of twists and turns up a narrow ramp that can be difficult to maneuver.
Although I, as an individual can relate to being an ally, I believe it is because I am on my way to being a social worker. After all, we will all one day become allies to people.
Several years ago my father was diagnosed with cancer, which eventually led to him using a wheelchair and handicap plates or tags for our vehicles. Whenever we went out into public people would stare at us, mainly my dad, like something was wrong or abnormal. Really? What is there to stare at? It's a person in a wheelchair, not a weird freak of science or something!
The simple task of parking and getting out o your vehicle isn't so easy when your mobility is impaired. We would park in handicap spots, IF they were available, but I remember several cases when there were vehicles without handicap plates or tags parked in the handicap spots. One time even led to a verbal confrontation (or should I say shouting match) in the parking lot between my mother and another person. I guess you could consider her more of an activist than me. One of my biggest pet peeves to this day, is people parking in handicap spots illegally.
Another thing this experience opened my eyes to was the entrance into buildings. How are people in wheelchairs or other mobility problems supposed to get inside without a ramp? Newly constructed buildings are required to meet these needs, but some older buildings have an intricate system of twists and turns up a narrow ramp that can be difficult to maneuver.
Although I, as an individual can relate to being an ally, I believe it is because I am on my way to being a social worker. After all, we will all one day become allies to people.
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Pelton and Responses
This first blog post addresses Pelton's article and it's responses.
Before reading these articles, I always thought, and still think, that being in a group gives a human a sense of identity and belonging. That it is not something that could be overall harmful to the situation. However, he raises the idea that this focus on groups, takes away from the focus on helping individuals in society.
Pelton also addressed that the level of care between groups is not 'just.' While some people in need recieve welfare, other's are lacking what they need in order to maintain their lives, such as veterans and the aging population. In my opinion this is obvious when you hear stories of people 'abusint the system' while there are other people out there who actually need the help.
One specific example he used while discussing groups was the child welfare system. Parents who's children are taken away are often labeled 'abusers and neglecters.' When in actuality it may be due to other problems, such as not having their financial needs met to care for their children.
Jumping right into the subject after a long break from class proved to be more difficult than I expected. The reading was somewhat hard to wrap my head around, but I have to say that I agree with a few points that Scanlon made in his response to Pelton.
Scanlon wrote that some group based practices are necessary in order to achieve a common goal. The example he gave was gay and lesbian groups fighting for their equal rights (marriage and adoption.) I also enjoyed the point he threw in about John Rawls 'Justice as Fairness,' which includes the fairness principle and the principle of equal opportunity. Social workers, and others, strive for equality for all members of society, whether in individual or group levels. But is it really possible for everyone to be treated equally in all aspects of life?
Before reading these articles, I always thought, and still think, that being in a group gives a human a sense of identity and belonging. That it is not something that could be overall harmful to the situation. However, he raises the idea that this focus on groups, takes away from the focus on helping individuals in society.
Pelton also addressed that the level of care between groups is not 'just.' While some people in need recieve welfare, other's are lacking what they need in order to maintain their lives, such as veterans and the aging population. In my opinion this is obvious when you hear stories of people 'abusint the system' while there are other people out there who actually need the help.
One specific example he used while discussing groups was the child welfare system. Parents who's children are taken away are often labeled 'abusers and neglecters.' When in actuality it may be due to other problems, such as not having their financial needs met to care for their children.
Jumping right into the subject after a long break from class proved to be more difficult than I expected. The reading was somewhat hard to wrap my head around, but I have to say that I agree with a few points that Scanlon made in his response to Pelton.
Scanlon wrote that some group based practices are necessary in order to achieve a common goal. The example he gave was gay and lesbian groups fighting for their equal rights (marriage and adoption.) I also enjoyed the point he threw in about John Rawls 'Justice as Fairness,' which includes the fairness principle and the principle of equal opportunity. Social workers, and others, strive for equality for all members of society, whether in individual or group levels. But is it really possible for everyone to be treated equally in all aspects of life?
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Newbie
So this whole blogging thing is new to me. The blogs from last semester look interesting, so hopefully this is something I can get into and not view as 'homework.' Have a good weekend 325!
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