It is hard to raise kids period as a man it seems harder because alot of men don't have the multi tasking skills of a woman, some may disagree but its proven. This is not a down play on men just my opinion as a man raising kids. Its a rewarding job but in doing, running a business, and school and being a husband it can get very taxing. I was talking to a few people who say they don't want kids because there freedom will be lost, i said to them it is a sacrifice that some parents make and to be honest i still have a life and have freedom . Some people are a little selfish and don't know what they are missing, but back to the point I take my hat off to women who have been doing this since the beginning of time, most men will never know the true sacrifices that you make in raising kids and maintaining a house. I understand now what it is and will never take these things for granted again. How many of you know what it's like?
By Devin Barnes
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Roles By:Shatara Shinholster
What is male? What is female? Your answers to these questions may depend on the types of gender roles you were exposed to as a child. Gender roles can be defined as the behaviors and attitudes expected of male and female members of a society by that society. Gender roles vary. Different cultures impose different expectations upon the men and women who live in that culture. The United States has experienced tremendous upheaval and revising of its traditional gender roles in the last generation. These changes in gender roles affect the home, the workplace, and the school, and they affect all Americans to some degree. Traditionally, the female stereotypic role is to marry and have children. She is also to put her family's welfare before her own. Be loving, compassionate, caring, nurturing, sympathetic, and find time to be sexy and feel beautiful. The male stereotypic role is to be the financial provider. He is also to be assertive, competitive, independent, courageous, and career-focused, hold his emotions in check and always initiate sex. These types of stereotypes can be harmful they can stifle individual expression and creativity, as well as hinder personal and professional growth.
Even though times are changing and we’re starting to see more men being a stay at home dad and even more women in the work field there is still as huge problem. Women are paying paid less than men for doing the same exact work with the same amount of experience. But wait if both the male and female are in the work field does that mean that the home and children go unattended. The answer is no the women in today’s society are playing all the roles their getting up the morning getting the children ready making breakfast all while preparing for work then going to work coming back home after picking up the kids helping with homework, cooking cleaning etc. More and more women are now wearing the Mr. Mom hat.
fast food, slow people
everyone loves fast food even if its not McDonald its something else. there are so many fast food places out there adjusting to the "health" conscious world now by putting calorie counts and salads on their menus. at the end of the day its not the food that makes you have bad health its the preservatives they put into it to make it have longer shelf life.it may be fast food now but years and years of it can really slow a person down inside and out. when you eat this food on a daily basis you have a higher risk of all types of health complications. alot of things are linked to your diet. eating bad can make you obese cause diabetes, high blood pressure and these can all be serious over a long period of time.
fast food effects a lot of people but no one more than children. the fact that they are still developing and their bodies are not getting the right nutrients from this food can take a toll over time. this can cause cardiovascular disease which is the number one cause of death globally. this is from build up of plaque and fat in your arteries so you really have to watch what you let your kids eat if you want them to live a long and healthy life. obesity is another big issue with this generations youth because most parents are always on the move trying to provide housing, clothes so they don't have time to cook everyday. so what else to turn to other than fast food they think. watch this video and think twice about watching what you eat.
this is one of many health risk being constantly fueled by the fast food industry. the main thing people can do is to start by example, bring a fruit basket in once a week to your office. suggest that at meeting instead of donuts you have something less fatty. things wont change and people wont be educated on these things unless one person tells another and puts it into effect. its one thing to know something but another to make it useful to society. people will always eat fast food that's a fact but just watching how much you eat or limiting yourself can cause a significant raise in your overall health.
Aaron Johnson
fast food effects a lot of people but no one more than children. the fact that they are still developing and their bodies are not getting the right nutrients from this food can take a toll over time. this can cause cardiovascular disease which is the number one cause of death globally. this is from build up of plaque and fat in your arteries so you really have to watch what you let your kids eat if you want them to live a long and healthy life. obesity is another big issue with this generations youth because most parents are always on the move trying to provide housing, clothes so they don't have time to cook everyday. so what else to turn to other than fast food they think. watch this video and think twice about watching what you eat.
Aaron Johnson
The Cafe
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
The Cafe
cafeatthemills.com
There is a cafe down stairs from my office called The Cafe. This is an all natural place to eat that serves all organic dishes. I was very skeptical of this place for the first couple months I was in the building because I had always assumed organic food tasted bad. It wasn’t until one day when it was raining really badly and I didn’t feel like traveling for food that I decided to give it a try. Unlike McDonalds and a lot of fast food places, this place had a different vibe. The customers just seemed a lot different and a lot nicer than other places. They also seemed a lot healthier than the average Burger King regular. Not only that but the place just had a clean feel to it and the employees were friendly. Although the menu was a little pricey I decided to give it a try. I asked the employee what you would suggest for a first time customer. He told me that I should try the Veggie Chili and rice. He said it was what they were famous for and it was the perfect dish towards starting your organic experience. I did and now I am hooked. I also feel a lot healthier and since it cost so much I go only was a day but I feel great.
There is a cafe down stairs from my office called The Cafe. This is an all natural place to eat that serves all organic dishes. I was very skeptical of this place for the first couple months I was in the building because I had always assumed organic food tasted bad. It wasn’t until one day when it was raining really badly and I didn’t feel like traveling for food that I decided to give it a try. Unlike McDonalds and a lot of fast food places, this place had a different vibe. The customers just seemed a lot different and a lot nicer than other places. They also seemed a lot healthier than the average Burger King regular. Not only that but the place just had a clean feel to it and the employees were friendly. Although the menu was a little pricey I decided to give it a try. I asked the employee what you would suggest for a first time customer. He told me that I should try the Veggie Chili and rice. He said it was what they were famous for and it was the perfect dish towards starting your organic experience. I did and now I am hooked. I also feel a lot healthier and since it cost so much I go only was a day but I feel great.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Stereotypes
By Jonathan Lopez
Race is a huge controversy in the united states. Everywhere
we look we see different races from all over the world by just living in the
United States. Even though the United States were founded by immigrants for
immigrants we still have this hatred towards them. As we have more hatred
towards immigrants and other races we start to form racism against another.
From racism we start to make up stereotypes about other races which can range
from good to bad depending what is the stereotype.
As seen
in movie, television shows, and in reality people use stereotypes all the time
without even noticing. We think of stereotypes to be often true. Yet they might
have some truth to them doesn't make them entirely true. The two most known
stereotype are for African Americans and Asian Americans. These two bring us
the most stereotypes of them all because we believe that most of the
stereotypes to be true. For example all black people are good at basketball.
This might be true in some cases but you can't say this for all the black
people. The same goes for Asian people. One of the stereotypes for Asians is
that their all good in math. This too is made off an assumption. Instead of
saying they have a better education system in math in their country, they will
rather go for all Asians are good in math. I have a video below about Asian
stereotypes. It does have bad language so please don't be offended.
As a nation we are going to have to get used to the fact
that we are all different and need to learn that as a nation we are all the
same in our little ways. The only way to stop racism and stereotypes is not
just ignore it but to confront it with one another and talk other it so that we
are more conforable talking about it.
Homeless Men
By: Dudlene Jean Pierre
When we think about poverty we think of countries like Haiti , Africa , and Brazil but we wouldn't think that the united states is also a part of great poverty.A lot of families all across the states go a day without food. When I think about this I ask myself what are we doing wrong and what can we do to as a nation to make things better? .
There are shelters all around but what I have noticed is that most of them carter to females and children. Men find themselves sleeping in the streets and no type of shelter.Build shelters that cater to men and offer more assistance to men. Some people say why don't the homeless get a job but what some people don't understand is that most of these men have serious problems that can not be addressed overnight. Some men have health issues or a drug habit I feel that the system doesn't give this men and option so they are left to do for themselves.
I believe that we should start changing things one day at a time, when ever we have the chance give a homeless man some help anyway that we can. Before judging someone laying in the streets try to put yourself in there shoes and try to feel what that person is going through because nobody wants to be homeless.
When we think about poverty we think of countries like Haiti , Africa , and Brazil but we wouldn't think that the united states is also a part of great poverty.A lot of families all across the states go a day without food. When I think about this I ask myself what are we doing wrong and what can we do to as a nation to make things better? .
There are shelters all around but what I have noticed is that most of them carter to females and children. Men find themselves sleeping in the streets and no type of shelter.Build shelters that cater to men and offer more assistance to men. Some people say why don't the homeless get a job but what some people don't understand is that most of these men have serious problems that can not be addressed overnight. Some men have health issues or a drug habit I feel that the system doesn't give this men and option so they are left to do for themselves.
I believe that we should start changing things one day at a time, when ever we have the chance give a homeless man some help anyway that we can. Before judging someone laying in the streets try to put yourself in there shoes and try to feel what that person is going through because nobody wants to be homeless.
Assisted Suicide
There are many individuals in this world that are in great need of help. They sometimes need medical help, other times it is financial help, and often psychological help. I have a few questions though. Why on earth would anyone want help to commit suicide? Why would anyone offer to help the process along? These people do not need help to commit suicide, but to simply overcome their problems. What if they simply need help improving their social lives? Or even help understanding themselves? It is not a good idea to encourage suicide, especially if the person isn't even sure if suicide is what they really want or need.
One person that was famous for assisted suicide is Dr. Jack Kevorkian. He would give his clients a lethal injection without thoroughly investigating their medical background. His job was to give patients the chance to inject themselves if they were terminally ill and were going to die anyway. He, however, gave the lethal injection to clients that were depressed and did not have an illness and were doomed to die (although, either way assisted suicide is wrong no matter what in my opinion). There were times when he would inject the patients himself instead of letting them do it themselves which is not suicide but homicide, and he was charged and put in jail. Below is a picture of him with a contraption he built that helped the patients inject themselves.
Another man by the name of William Melchert-Dinkel was charged for assisted suicide over the web. This man went after normal people with no illnesses. They simply were depressed and with a little help from a psychiatrist would have improved their situation. However, he made pacts with others to commit suicide under various names and would then back down. Two people that the police know about committed suicide because of him.
Assisted suicide should be illegal everywhere with no exceptions. No one under any circumstances should be encouraged to take their lives. What they really need is a psychiatrist that can help them look at themselves differently and help them understand their emotions. Assisted suicide is unethical and immoral. I am surprised it is even permitted. It should never be an option.
Keila Olmo
One person that was famous for assisted suicide is Dr. Jack Kevorkian. He would give his clients a lethal injection without thoroughly investigating their medical background. His job was to give patients the chance to inject themselves if they were terminally ill and were going to die anyway. He, however, gave the lethal injection to clients that were depressed and did not have an illness and were doomed to die (although, either way assisted suicide is wrong no matter what in my opinion). There were times when he would inject the patients himself instead of letting them do it themselves which is not suicide but homicide, and he was charged and put in jail. Below is a picture of him with a contraption he built that helped the patients inject themselves.
Another man by the name of William Melchert-Dinkel was charged for assisted suicide over the web. This man went after normal people with no illnesses. They simply were depressed and with a little help from a psychiatrist would have improved their situation. However, he made pacts with others to commit suicide under various names and would then back down. Two people that the police know about committed suicide because of him.
Assisted suicide should be illegal everywhere with no exceptions. No one under any circumstances should be encouraged to take their lives. What they really need is a psychiatrist that can help them look at themselves differently and help them understand their emotions. Assisted suicide is unethical and immoral. I am surprised it is even permitted. It should never be an option.
Keila Olmo
Hip Hop
By: Damon Allen
Over the years I notice that people that listen to hip hop music is usually stereotyped; from the way they dress, talk, and even carry themselves. after noticing this, I came with the conclusion hip hop is a subculture. In my house hold me and my family predominantly listen to hip hop, and watch television stations such as BET and MTV that mostly broadcast hip hop videos, TV series and advertisments. After finding the meaning of subculture and paying close attention to hip hop videos, advertisements and even friends and family that listen to hip hop music over the past few weeks, I notice that people that listen to hip hop, and people that are hip hop artist are different from others. People that listen and develop hip hop music usually dress more urban also they tend use more slang then others. People that listen to hip hop and develop hip hop music also are predominantly African American. Hip Hop is more then music, its a way of life.
Over the years I notice that people that listen to hip hop music is usually stereotyped; from the way they dress, talk, and even carry themselves. after noticing this, I came with the conclusion hip hop is a subculture. In my house hold me and my family predominantly listen to hip hop, and watch television stations such as BET and MTV that mostly broadcast hip hop videos, TV series and advertisments. After finding the meaning of subculture and paying close attention to hip hop videos, advertisements and even friends and family that listen to hip hop music over the past few weeks, I notice that people that listen to hip hop, and people that are hip hop artist are different from others. People that listen and develop hip hop music usually dress more urban also they tend use more slang then others. People that listen to hip hop and develop hip hop music also are predominantly African American. Hip Hop is more then music, its a way of life.
Let's Care More About Health Care by Victoria Solomon
How important is your health? Very important, right? If youre feeling sick or have an illness everything around you becomes harder to do. You cant keep a job. You cant go to school. You cant take care of yourself, let alone anyone else in your life.
How important is someone else's health to you? Perhaps a stranger or a homeless person? You wouldnt care as much for their health as you would your own health. That is a big problem for the United States. We dont care about the population, we are only interested in the individual, our own selves. To get better health care that may mean a tax raise. Of course we dont want that because we are too concerned with our daily lives to look far into the future to see the life changing possibilities that can come from free or even a lower costing health care system. Higher taxes means money taken away from our simple luxuries like a leisure trip to the mall or perhaps a few movie tickets. But for someone who has to go without medication, suffer from untreated illnesses or resort to extreme measures for health care it means another day to live. It means getting a chance to experience modern medicine without having to scrape up pennies to buy over the counter drugs that barely fix the problem
Other countries give their people the best health care they possibly can. I know that we are capable of providing something at least a bit better than what we have today. What are they seeing in their people that we dont see in our own? Do other countries value their citizens more and thus give them a good health care system? Do they look at their citizens as competitors. They are building up their nation strong and healthy in order to produce citizens who are in a well enough condition to compete with other countries. Whatever the reason may be, I think we should be taking a lesson from them.
How important is someone else's health to you? Perhaps a stranger or a homeless person? You wouldnt care as much for their health as you would your own health. That is a big problem for the United States. We dont care about the population, we are only interested in the individual, our own selves. To get better health care that may mean a tax raise. Of course we dont want that because we are too concerned with our daily lives to look far into the future to see the life changing possibilities that can come from free or even a lower costing health care system. Higher taxes means money taken away from our simple luxuries like a leisure trip to the mall or perhaps a few movie tickets. But for someone who has to go without medication, suffer from untreated illnesses or resort to extreme measures for health care it means another day to live. It means getting a chance to experience modern medicine without having to scrape up pennies to buy over the counter drugs that barely fix the problem
Other countries give their people the best health care they possibly can. I know that we are capable of providing something at least a bit better than what we have today. What are they seeing in their people that we dont see in our own? Do other countries value their citizens more and thus give them a good health care system? Do they look at their citizens as competitors. They are building up their nation strong and healthy in order to produce citizens who are in a well enough condition to compete with other countries. Whatever the reason may be, I think we should be taking a lesson from them.
The Economics of Inequality: The Values of Early Childhood (Organic Blog Post)
The Economics of Inequality
The Value of Early Childhood Education
James J. Heckman
The fairness of education is often discussed as an ethical issue. It can also be argued that equity is a way to promote productivity and an efficient economy. James J. Heckman is an economist, and his primary focus is on the lucrative value of building equal educational chances and achievement so that the most successful way to boost the productivity of the American economy. Heckman says we need a willing and useful workforce that will compete successfully in the global economy. The potential of the people are underdeveloped which burden the economy and leaves a weak workforce.
Equity and efficiency are usually looked as competing goals, when devising a policy one may be fear however what is fair isn’t always economically efficient. Causing a cut in the tax rate on capital gains supports economic efficiency by stimulating investment; however it is not fair because it primarily benefits those that are wealthy. Yet there are some polices that are both fair promoting both equity and economic efficiency. The investment of early years for disadvantage children’s lives is one policy. A large amount of data has shown that the equity of education is much more than a social justice essential; it is an economic essential that has a huge impact on the nation.
Our society has limited resources. Taxpayers can and should look forward to value for their money in programs ran by the government and in their fellow citizens. Analyzing the economic value of hard work to generate human capital helps to see where it is best for citizens to invest their resources in education to achieve the goal of equalizing opportunity to construct better and long-term values for all. The proof is vivid that unfairness in the maturation of human capabilities gives negative social and economic results that can and should be prevented if there were more investments in early childhood education, focusing primarily on less fortunate children and their families.
As a replacement for the traditional models of human skill formation America should construct a more modern approach to educate the children of the twenty-first century in success. Long-term studies have been performed to examine the influence of early investment on schooling and adult outcomes. At the conclusion of the studies the analyzers found that inequality in early childhood experiences and learning will lead to an inequality in capabilities, achievements, and success in adulthood. Also that the combination of cognitive and social skills is the driver for education and life success and personality development is an important and neglected factor. Adverse effects of genetic pre-disposition, parental, and environmental cues can be navigated in a positive direction if their were more investments in early childhood education that provide better resources that can help gear both children and their parents develop proper cognitive and social skills. Lastly the analyzers found that investment in early education for disadvantage children from infancy to age 5 helps decrease the accomplishment gap, lessen the need for special education, increase healthier living, lower the crime rate, and reduce overall social costs.
Socialism??? by Johnny Perez
I currently work in a lower class area as a Sales Associate for a wireless carrier. This is something new to me, due to the economy I was laid off and forced to find a new job. Which landed me at the currnet job I have now working for a wireless carrier. I've learned and noticed something about are lower class citizens since working here. Lower class citizens are looked at as uneducated ignorant individuals. I do not agree with this, I believe not all lower class indviduals are ignorant and uneducated but majority in the area I current work in are.
Working here I've noticed that the lower class citizens whom I work around everyday are very uneducated and are being take advantage of. The wireless carrier knows that they're uneducated and so they use it to their advantage to make profit and work a successful business. At a store meeting we were told to do what ever we can to higher are rankings in sales. So now it is mandatory for us to charge the customer more then the actual price of their purchases to help are rankings. The only reason why the wireless carrier is able to get away with something like this, is because they believe that the customers in are location are not educated enough to understand that they are being over charged.
At work I sometimes become personally involve with my sales and do not over charge but at this I am endanger if loosing my job. I think it sucks to know that a customer may really have the money for their purchase but because I am forced to add on extra charges the customer may go home disappointed and empty handed. Seeing things like this makes me wonder how many other businesses out there create extra charges and stealing money from the uneducated.
Working here I've noticed that the lower class citizens whom I work around everyday are very uneducated and are being take advantage of. The wireless carrier knows that they're uneducated and so they use it to their advantage to make profit and work a successful business. At a store meeting we were told to do what ever we can to higher are rankings in sales. So now it is mandatory for us to charge the customer more then the actual price of their purchases to help are rankings. The only reason why the wireless carrier is able to get away with something like this, is because they believe that the customers in are location are not educated enough to understand that they are being over charged.
At work I sometimes become personally involve with my sales and do not over charge but at this I am endanger if loosing my job. I think it sucks to know that a customer may really have the money for their purchase but because I am forced to add on extra charges the customer may go home disappointed and empty handed. Seeing things like this makes me wonder how many other businesses out there create extra charges and stealing money from the uneducated.
The Struggles of Distance
By: Corinne Otto
For the last 7 months, I've been interested in a guy. We have almost everything in common, and are technically considered dating. There is a big problem though, and the problem stretches 651 miles. I live here, in Philadelphia, PA, and he lives down south, in Ridgeville, South Carolina. I've never considered doing this, and never felt I had the strength to. Many people tell me "why waste your time? You can meet someone here!" "That's stupid, and isn't safe! How do you even know they're real?!" I'd like to inform everyone about how one does this. Why waste my time? Who's wasting time? If a person is happy, and doesn't mind waiting something out to be with another person, is it really considered wasting your time? Is anything safe these days? Sure the internet, especially, isn't safe to meet people on. However, if you are careful, and don't give anyone your personal information, I don't see what's wrong. I feel as long as you use your common sense -- here's hoping everyone has some -- there shouldn't be a big problem. The worst question I get is "how do you even know they're real" or "how do you know it's really them" um... I don't think people realize the people they're dating could be as fake as they think my relationship with this guy is. You never can be too sure of the person you're with. IT IS CALLED TRUST & COMMUNICATION, PEOPLE!
A person can meet someone in a bar and go home with them the same night, then tell me they "know" them. I've been talking to the same person, via texts, phone calls, email, letters, and Skype (webcam) for over 7 months, and I don't "know" him because we've never physically met. I find it ridiculous. How do you get to know someone? By talking to them, right? Don't we consider texting, phone calls, and everything I just mentioned talking? It annoys me when someone, who barely knows me to begin with, can tell me with a straight face "you're dumb, you don't know them."
There are so many people, around the world, who engage in long distance relationships. Though it IS very hard, there are ways to cope. Obviously, texting and calling each other is one way to ease the loneliness. If someone and their significant other live in different countries, those can be costly, so a downloadable, FREE, program (Skype, Oovoo, Facetime) are very helpful! You can physically see each other and hear each other's voices, etc. So it's almost like being right there with them. Personally, this helps me a lot. You can also save money to visit each other. It's definitely not impossible. If you don't believe JUST HOW MANY people do this, you should read posts from this blog, "Long Distance Stories."
http://longdistancestories.tumblr.com/
You'd be surprised how many people post, from all over the world, and who are successful. There are also so many stories of people finally meeting, moving in with one another, and eventually getting married! It's incredible, and very inspiring.
If you are, or know anyone who is in a long distance relationship, know that IS possible, and IS worth it, if you're both happy. You don't have to explain it to people who refuse to understand. Your real friends will be happy that you're happy. I hope everyone has a better understanding of situations like this now!
For the last 7 months, I've been interested in a guy. We have almost everything in common, and are technically considered dating. There is a big problem though, and the problem stretches 651 miles. I live here, in Philadelphia, PA, and he lives down south, in Ridgeville, South Carolina. I've never considered doing this, and never felt I had the strength to. Many people tell me "why waste your time? You can meet someone here!" "That's stupid, and isn't safe! How do you even know they're real?!" I'd like to inform everyone about how one does this. Why waste my time? Who's wasting time? If a person is happy, and doesn't mind waiting something out to be with another person, is it really considered wasting your time? Is anything safe these days? Sure the internet, especially, isn't safe to meet people on. However, if you are careful, and don't give anyone your personal information, I don't see what's wrong. I feel as long as you use your common sense -- here's hoping everyone has some -- there shouldn't be a big problem. The worst question I get is "how do you even know they're real" or "how do you know it's really them" um... I don't think people realize the people they're dating could be as fake as they think my relationship with this guy is. You never can be too sure of the person you're with. IT IS CALLED TRUST & COMMUNICATION, PEOPLE!
A person can meet someone in a bar and go home with them the same night, then tell me they "know" them. I've been talking to the same person, via texts, phone calls, email, letters, and Skype (webcam) for over 7 months, and I don't "know" him because we've never physically met. I find it ridiculous. How do you get to know someone? By talking to them, right? Don't we consider texting, phone calls, and everything I just mentioned talking? It annoys me when someone, who barely knows me to begin with, can tell me with a straight face "you're dumb, you don't know them."
There are so many people, around the world, who engage in long distance relationships. Though it IS very hard, there are ways to cope. Obviously, texting and calling each other is one way to ease the loneliness. If someone and their significant other live in different countries, those can be costly, so a downloadable, FREE, program (Skype, Oovoo, Facetime) are very helpful! You can physically see each other and hear each other's voices, etc. So it's almost like being right there with them. Personally, this helps me a lot. You can also save money to visit each other. It's definitely not impossible. If you don't believe JUST HOW MANY people do this, you should read posts from this blog, "Long Distance Stories."
http://longdistancestories.tumblr.com/
You'd be surprised how many people post, from all over the world, and who are successful. There are also so many stories of people finally meeting, moving in with one another, and eventually getting married! It's incredible, and very inspiring.
If you are, or know anyone who is in a long distance relationship, know that IS possible, and IS worth it, if you're both happy. You don't have to explain it to people who refuse to understand. Your real friends will be happy that you're happy. I hope everyone has a better understanding of situations like this now!
Love An Emotion or Color? By:Michelle De'Brue
When it comes to dating, falling in love, being intimate, and/or a personal companion what color do you see? Do you think outside your own race? Does it even matter, excuse me should it even matter? Some people may find it rather uncomfortable to date outside of their race, with the fear of what others may think. If your dating anyone that you are interested in and this person intrigues you why should you care what other people think? I am well aware of criticism that people may seem to endure when dating outside of their race which is simply what I like to call " their problem not mines", referring to those who have the issue with interracial couples. Somehow I feel people miss the whole idea of love!
When it comes to dating, falling in love, being intimate, and/or a personal companion what color do you see? Do you think outside your own race? Does it even matter, excuse me should it even matter? Some people may find it rather uncomfortable to date outside of their race, with the fear of what others may think. If your dating anyone that you are interested in and this person intrigues you why should you care what other people think? I am well aware of criticism that people may seem to endure when dating outside of their race which is simply what I like to call " their problem not mines", referring to those who have the issue with interracial couples. Somehow I feel people miss the whole idea of love!
Love is an emotion of strong affection and personal attachment, representing all of human kindness and affection!
However, myself and a few other friend's were invited to have dinner with a friend and her new companion, whom I never met prior to this dinner date, when I got there I was a little shocked to see her new "love bug" was male of a different race. I mean not shocked in a sense that "OMG no she isn't dating this Asian guy" but in a sense like "OMG look at her she done stepped outside the box"! Now sitting here during this dinner I thought to myself,as our friends casually joined us, this poor guy is about to feel fairly uncomfortable amongst us, but surely to notion it was him it was her! She started to kind of shy away a little in front of us, as if we were gonna judge her or something I guess. However, I had to remind her, act as if you would if no one weren't around! Any way my point being I understand her reactions in this public place for the first time with all of her friends, but did she stop to realize maybe how her reactions made him feel?
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In todays' society,I know that people often sometimes get caught up with the mixture of feelings about interracial dating, being so use to the scandal and drama that use to based around interracial relationships. Life lesson think outside the box, except the cards you were dealt and never mind who you fall in love with or their race. In a sense segregation is simply over! Love has no color! Now that's the truth!
Differences in people
By Debbie Langford
I attended the Gay Cabaret Program, I felt nervous and out of character. I was nervous for one because it felt like I should not be there regardless of the reason why I was attending. When I arrived there were not many people there and it was more females than males and everybody was laughing and having a good time. The hostess was very funny, pretty and energetic, she made everybody feel welcome and comfortable about attending this event. As the night progress each performer came out one by one and performed. What was so amazing about the event was that some of the performers were actually student here at the college along with their fiance's, friends, partners and even parents that attended to support them and real live drag queens performed and had a real good time doing it for the students here at community college.
I observed how homosexuals, gays and lesbians really enjoyed being whom they chose to be and not what our western society tells them what they have to be. The drag queens were really good performers and looked incredible doing it if I may say so myself. All in all the night was fun, entertaining and very different for me, after awhile I found myself joining in on the screaming, hollering, laughing and cheering on the students for their brilliant performance.
I observed a bunch of individuals females and males, regardless if they were heterosexual or homosexual really relaxed lay back and having a really good time in their surroundings and just letting it all hang out. In my opinion I may not agree with how they choose to live their lives, but it was great to watch people enjoy what they were doing. Just like in this video clip:
I attended the Gay Cabaret Program, I felt nervous and out of character. I was nervous for one because it felt like I should not be there regardless of the reason why I was attending. When I arrived there were not many people there and it was more females than males and everybody was laughing and having a good time. The hostess was very funny, pretty and energetic, she made everybody feel welcome and comfortable about attending this event. As the night progress each performer came out one by one and performed. What was so amazing about the event was that some of the performers were actually student here at the college along with their fiance's, friends, partners and even parents that attended to support them and real live drag queens performed and had a real good time doing it for the students here at community college.
I observed how homosexuals, gays and lesbians really enjoyed being whom they chose to be and not what our western society tells them what they have to be. The drag queens were really good performers and looked incredible doing it if I may say so myself. All in all the night was fun, entertaining and very different for me, after awhile I found myself joining in on the screaming, hollering, laughing and cheering on the students for their brilliant performance.
Eating Disorders: Bulimia
By: Clarence Parler
There are many eating disorders that not only Americans are suffering from but nearly any place you look in the world. Anorexia, Bulimia and compulsive overeating, binge eating, just to name a few, are some of the most common problems people with eating disorders suffer from. For those unfamiliar, Bulimia (binge- purge syndrome) is a habitual disturbance in eating behavior mostly affecting young women of normal weight. It is characterized by excessive frequent intake of food followed by self induced vomiting to avoid weight gain.
While some will look at eating disorders as merely silly or another form of extreme dieting, this in fact is a real and relevant illness. I myself may have looked at Bulimia as a silly sickness. I looked at it like people don't want to gain weight so they make sure they don't digest all the food they have consumed, and make themselves throw it up. As simple as it may sound, self induced vomiting is very simple in theory, but when you think of the reasons why people are doing it you may view things a little different.
After doing a little bit of research, I learned that many of the women suffering from eating disorders directly attribute their illness to some form of trauma they may have suffered form. Racism, sexual abuse, poverty, sexism, emotional or physical abuse, heterosexism, class injuries, and acculturation. Eating disorders do not really vary based on race class, race, nationality, or sexuality, it can effect anyone.
To get a little more specific, sex abuse is one of the most common trauma that women attribute the origin of their eating disorder. According to Becky W. Thompson, author of Cultural Obsession with Thinness, " results of a number of incidence studies indicate that between 1/3 to 2/3 of women who have eating problems have been abused. Binging was the most common method of coping identified by the survivors. Binging helped numb out their feelings. Eating sedated, alleviated anxiety, and combated loneliness. Food was something that they trust and was accessible whenever they needed".
Eating disorders are not made-up conditions, they are medically recognized and treatable illnesses. It should be taken very serious and if not treated can be fatal. If you suffer from this or know someone who suffers from this, get help.
There are many eating disorders that not only Americans are suffering from but nearly any place you look in the world. Anorexia, Bulimia and compulsive overeating, binge eating, just to name a few, are some of the most common problems people with eating disorders suffer from. For those unfamiliar, Bulimia (binge- purge syndrome) is a habitual disturbance in eating behavior mostly affecting young women of normal weight. It is characterized by excessive frequent intake of food followed by self induced vomiting to avoid weight gain.
While some will look at eating disorders as merely silly or another form of extreme dieting, this in fact is a real and relevant illness. I myself may have looked at Bulimia as a silly sickness. I looked at it like people don't want to gain weight so they make sure they don't digest all the food they have consumed, and make themselves throw it up. As simple as it may sound, self induced vomiting is very simple in theory, but when you think of the reasons why people are doing it you may view things a little different.
After doing a little bit of research, I learned that many of the women suffering from eating disorders directly attribute their illness to some form of trauma they may have suffered form. Racism, sexual abuse, poverty, sexism, emotional or physical abuse, heterosexism, class injuries, and acculturation. Eating disorders do not really vary based on race class, race, nationality, or sexuality, it can effect anyone.
Eating disorders are not made-up conditions, they are medically recognized and treatable illnesses. It should be taken very serious and if not treated can be fatal. If you suffer from this or know someone who suffers from this, get help.
Melanie Hines- Organic Blog
So it all started in common girl talk at the nurse station. One of my coworkers found it funny that I am flustered by certain words women use. Somehow, the question came up of what I refer to Womens private parts as when speaking to my three year old daughter. Immediately all women in our huddle that has a little girl began to shout out pet names that they use with their children. Our nurse practitioner shared that she tells her daughter its called a "flower", another lady tells us its called your"poo poo". We all laughed, but when I shared with them that I refer to my daughters privates as her "pocketbook" one of the nurses stated " NOOOOO thats not a good metaphor!!!! We put things in our pocketbooks" I was immediately mortified at the point she made. At that point, one of our coworkers who, is expecting her third girl in March chimed in a told us all "its called a VAGINA sweeties its the textbook terminology, and they have to use it someday so start now". Everything in me knows she was absolutely right, but the word vagina coming from a toddler just seems like more than a mouthful. in fact almost vulgar...... whats a mom to do???? Whats the word?
social class determines poverty
Poverty can be defined as a system that deprives people of their security and well-being. Deprives people not only of safe water and adequate food, clothing, and shelter, but also education and healthcare. Poverty is also defined as relative to the standard of living in a society at a specific time. People live in poverty when they are denied an income sufficient for their material needs and when these circumstances exclude them from taking part in activities which are an acceptable part of daily life in that society.
Poverty can hinder the individual by limiting their exposure to fine arts. Creating a class of people that is less cultured, and these group of people would be less motivated to end the cycle of poverty that has surrounded them. Some people can be in poverty for a very long time depending on their social status. Social status can be from the class you are born of and the race in which one is descend. I had the experienced of poverty but not extreme poverty. My mom was single parent of six with low income and was raised in the inner city. As time becomes more modernized, technology became more advanced it is still hard for individual in poverty to get out of poverty.
There are numerous barriers that prevent one who live in poverty to stay in poverty. Classes and race work together to protect the upper classes from social mobility and to block the lower classes from too much upward mobility. Health care is also a serious issue that are faced by minority in poverty. As a result of poverty the lower one social class ,the less long one will live. Low income contribute to high disease rate of minority such as cancer stroke and diabetes.
Shana Davis
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
The Fresh Prince Goes Gangster.
Flipping through my channels last night I stopped at one of my all time favorite movies. Not only was I ecstatic to catch Bad Boys 2 on TV but I turned it on just as my favorite scene was about to start. In this scene, Reggie, a 15 year old kid is coming to pick up Marcus' daughter for a date. Marcus, a police officer, and his partner Mike (Will Smith) decide to have some fun with Reggie.
Now I've seen this movie a hundred times and watched this scene over and over. I've never seen it like this though. Through the eyes of a sociologist, this is a very intriguing scene. Mike, who throughout the rest of the film was well spoken and charming, begins playing a character he invented on the spot, who was recently released from prison. He attempts to intimidate Reggie with a deeper voice, and slang speech of a "thug" and uses increased profanity and the word "nigga" excessively. He also drinks from a bottle on cognac and casually swings around a pistol.
While a successful vehicle for a humorous scene, one must wonder how these stereotypes Mike is exploiting for comedy come across to a younger generation. Does this tell youth that in order to gain respect and be intimidating you must go to prison and carry a weapon?
In the scene, Mike and Marcus' change of language is accidentally a commentary on what is expected if you want to be a movie star, and what is expected if you want to make it in the streets. It's so funny to the viewer, because its so unexpected in a Hollywood movie. Very rarely would a producer be so cavalier to let such language that would be "offensive" to the masses into a blockbuster.
The message most would get from this scene is that Reggie should be scared, because Mike is a gangster. But is that the message we want to give to America's youth, particularly America's black youth that may look up to Will Smith as a role model? The stigma that black people are scary and "gangster" is already a stereotype that too many buy into. While this scene is hilarious, I'd say it definitely toes the line of good taste.
Besides, I'd be more nervous if I was picking up a date and a cop answered the door.
-Eric Lucier
Now I've seen this movie a hundred times and watched this scene over and over. I've never seen it like this though. Through the eyes of a sociologist, this is a very intriguing scene. Mike, who throughout the rest of the film was well spoken and charming, begins playing a character he invented on the spot, who was recently released from prison. He attempts to intimidate Reggie with a deeper voice, and slang speech of a "thug" and uses increased profanity and the word "nigga" excessively. He also drinks from a bottle on cognac and casually swings around a pistol.
While a successful vehicle for a humorous scene, one must wonder how these stereotypes Mike is exploiting for comedy come across to a younger generation. Does this tell youth that in order to gain respect and be intimidating you must go to prison and carry a weapon?
In the scene, Mike and Marcus' change of language is accidentally a commentary on what is expected if you want to be a movie star, and what is expected if you want to make it in the streets. It's so funny to the viewer, because its so unexpected in a Hollywood movie. Very rarely would a producer be so cavalier to let such language that would be "offensive" to the masses into a blockbuster.
The message most would get from this scene is that Reggie should be scared, because Mike is a gangster. But is that the message we want to give to America's youth, particularly America's black youth that may look up to Will Smith as a role model? The stigma that black people are scary and "gangster" is already a stereotype that too many buy into. While this scene is hilarious, I'd say it definitely toes the line of good taste.
Besides, I'd be more nervous if I was picking up a date and a cop answered the door.
-Eric Lucier
Shooting For The Stars
The crime in Philadelphia needs to stop the police brutality and the homicides.There have been 302 homicides in Philadelphia this year already surpassing last years mark of 282 and there is still a month left in 2011. All of the stop the violence campaigns and the "Put It Down" campaigns seem to be going unheard in the streets. Something more needs to be done. There is youth killing other youth over the dumbest things some things that were solved by a simple fist fight back in the day have now turned into an automatic call for a shootout. This is partially the medias fight but about 90% is due to the environment that the kids grow up in.if you grow up seeing people getting killed, hearing shootouts and seeing people wave guns at every person they have a problem with your mindset will more than likely point you in that direction.
All these campaigns are focusing on getting guns off the streets when in actuality guns are not the problem. People are the problem. have you ever seen a gun walk up and kill someone? NO! There has always been guns on the streets that hasn't changed the mindset of the people has changed. If you want to make a solid difference you need to get to the people that have the mindset of "I'm going to kill everyone that looks at me wrong" and try to see why they think that way. Lives are way to precious to be taken away at the hands of an idiot with a gun over the smallest things like money, someone mouthing off or even someone talking to a certain female or male. It's all about the mind set of the people some people just flat out don't care but some just are pressured into committing a homicide or some feel forced into it.
No matter how you look t it guns are and will be a problem for years to come until you can sit down and get within the minds of these people and change their views. Education is the number one key some people feel trapped in poverty therefore they will do what they have to do to live even if that means taking another persons life. If i was president i'd do 3 things and i guarantee you'd see a decrease in homicides 1) lower the cost of things slightly 2) create more jobs and 3) make higher education more affordable. these 3 things would get people off the streets, working, learning and make things more affordable. Hopefully one day someone will see things my way and make a change but until that day i can only pray that i'll live to see tomorrow.
-Aaron Johnson
All these campaigns are focusing on getting guns off the streets when in actuality guns are not the problem. People are the problem. have you ever seen a gun walk up and kill someone? NO! There has always been guns on the streets that hasn't changed the mindset of the people has changed. If you want to make a solid difference you need to get to the people that have the mindset of "I'm going to kill everyone that looks at me wrong" and try to see why they think that way. Lives are way to precious to be taken away at the hands of an idiot with a gun over the smallest things like money, someone mouthing off or even someone talking to a certain female or male. It's all about the mind set of the people some people just flat out don't care but some just are pressured into committing a homicide or some feel forced into it.
No matter how you look t it guns are and will be a problem for years to come until you can sit down and get within the minds of these people and change their views. Education is the number one key some people feel trapped in poverty therefore they will do what they have to do to live even if that means taking another persons life. If i was president i'd do 3 things and i guarantee you'd see a decrease in homicides 1) lower the cost of things slightly 2) create more jobs and 3) make higher education more affordable. these 3 things would get people off the streets, working, learning and make things more affordable. Hopefully one day someone will see things my way and make a change but until that day i can only pray that i'll live to see tomorrow.
-Aaron Johnson
The Expense of Healthy Living
Why is being healthy so expensive?
By Jordan DesJardins
Earlier this week in class we discussed the matter of healthcare and our social status. Generally speaking, healthcare is generally better for those with a better financial and social status. But what about trying to be healthy even when you aren’t sick? Is that a privilege of social status as well?
The United States is fighting a losing battle against a major health crisis; obesity. In a world where there are people starving every day with next to nothing to eat, there are plenty of American’s gorging themselves on junk food out of boredom. We are living in a country where we worship things like “Epic Meal Time” (although that series is based in Canada) and have foods like the “Double Down” (a sandwich that has replaced the bread with fried chicken breasts, filled with bacon and cheese). While I can’t vouch for everyone, that scares the hell out of me. But the real question we have to ask is, whose fault is it?
Recently, I’ve been trying to get into a healthier physical shape with a combination of diet and exercise, cutting junk food and fast food from my diet and working out when I can. Luckily I have the option of the free gym here on CCP Campus, but what about everyone who doesn’t? I looked into signing up for a gym membership recently and no matter what gym I went to, they wanted an atrociously large sum of money just to sign up to go there, not to mention the monthly membership fees. Should it be a privilege of social status and financial standing to be able to get into shape? The cheapest gym I could find to sign up for was Planet Fitness, who wanted $80 to sign up on top of a $20 a month membership fee. While I make a modest living working for my job, I’m still a broke-ass college student, and don’t really have that kind of extra money just sitting around when I have bills to pay.
The real problem lyes in the food we’re eating. I tried to shop healthy the last time I went to the grocery store, buying lots of fresh fruits and veggies and dropping junk food to try and have a properly balanced diet, and my bill ended up being almost double the usual amount! I think that explains a lot about the health condition of the country. If someone doesn’t have a lot of money and needs to eat, are they going to get the $4.99 salad or the $.99 double cheeseburger from McDonalds? We eat what we can afford, and what has been made available and affordable to the majority of us as a nation is killing us slowly with obesity.
Are there alternatives? Sure! You could always go the old fashioned route and just exercise by jogging or doing sit ups, push ups and crunches! If you can afford it, spend that little extra on the healthy alternative, it could very well save your life later.
By Jordan DesJardins
Earlier this week in class we discussed the matter of healthcare and our social status. Generally speaking, healthcare is generally better for those with a better financial and social status. But what about trying to be healthy even when you aren’t sick? Is that a privilege of social status as well?
The United States is fighting a losing battle against a major health crisis; obesity. In a world where there are people starving every day with next to nothing to eat, there are plenty of American’s gorging themselves on junk food out of boredom. We are living in a country where we worship things like “Epic Meal Time” (although that series is based in Canada) and have foods like the “Double Down” (a sandwich that has replaced the bread with fried chicken breasts, filled with bacon and cheese). While I can’t vouch for everyone, that scares the hell out of me. But the real question we have to ask is, whose fault is it?
Recently, I’ve been trying to get into a healthier physical shape with a combination of diet and exercise, cutting junk food and fast food from my diet and working out when I can. Luckily I have the option of the free gym here on CCP Campus, but what about everyone who doesn’t? I looked into signing up for a gym membership recently and no matter what gym I went to, they wanted an atrociously large sum of money just to sign up to go there, not to mention the monthly membership fees. Should it be a privilege of social status and financial standing to be able to get into shape? The cheapest gym I could find to sign up for was Planet Fitness, who wanted $80 to sign up on top of a $20 a month membership fee. While I make a modest living working for my job, I’m still a broke-ass college student, and don’t really have that kind of extra money just sitting around when I have bills to pay.
The real problem lyes in the food we’re eating. I tried to shop healthy the last time I went to the grocery store, buying lots of fresh fruits and veggies and dropping junk food to try and have a properly balanced diet, and my bill ended up being almost double the usual amount! I think that explains a lot about the health condition of the country. If someone doesn’t have a lot of money and needs to eat, are they going to get the $4.99 salad or the $.99 double cheeseburger from McDonalds? We eat what we can afford, and what has been made available and affordable to the majority of us as a nation is killing us slowly with obesity.
Are there alternatives? Sure! You could always go the old fashioned route and just exercise by jogging or doing sit ups, push ups and crunches! If you can afford it, spend that little extra on the healthy alternative, it could very well save your life later.
Poverty in front of our eyes
By: Kardia Rowe
When we hear the word poverty, we think of the countries
oversea where people have no food, living in tents, drinking from dirty water
and walking around without cloths. There are many people who think that there
is no poverty in there state or city they live in. poverty is not just about
the kids we see on TV, walking around without any shoes and are food deprived.
In Philadelphia,
there is more poverty around us than anyone could think. When we walk on the street
we see a lot of homeless people begging for money or food because people won’t
give them a chance at a job. According to the U.S census, 29 percent of
residents in Philadelphia 1st Congressional District live in
poverty. Out of the 10 largest cities in the country, Philadelphia is the
poorest. Philadelphia also contains the largest number of children who are
living in poverty. Parents have to go days without eating so their children
could eat. They also have to decide on whether they have to buy food or pay the
rent.
A mother should never have to let their
child go to school hungry. Hearing a child complaining that they are hungry is
a mother’s fear. I knew poverty was around me in my city, but I never knew it
was this bad. Even though it has gotten worst since the fall of the economy,
but it was basically passed down from one generation to the next.
Rethinking Religion
by: Michelle Kasprzak
Religion has been the cause of many disputes for thousands of years. In today's society, the ethnocentrism displayed by Christians causes conflict between them and other religious groups residing in America- especially Muslims. Muslims are a sub-culture to the more popular group of Christians, but does that mean that they are all terrorists or inclined to violence?
Recently, Christians have had a hard time adjusting to the fact that Muslims are becoming increasingly more dominant especially in some regions of the U.S. Christians in areas densely populated with Muslims have spoken out about their difficulty adjusting to the appearance of mosques in their neighborhood and do not like the prayer call that is played. In the episode of '30 Days' we watched in class, people were saying that when they thought of Muslims they thought of terrorists, violence, Aladdin's flying carpet and 9/11. Perhaps if Muslims, and other religions, were portrayed in the media with a more reputable manner there would be less misconception.
I will admit I was a bit shocked when I saw this. I took this picture on my phone because when people noticed it they were being very rude by laughing, staring and making churlish remarks. I couldn't understand why it was such a controversy, yet no one sees a problem when a Christian blesses themselves when they hear an ambulance. Until people accept other religions and cultures and all religions are portrayed positively in the media there will be religious inequality.
Religion has been the cause of many disputes for thousands of years. In today's society, the ethnocentrism displayed by Christians causes conflict between them and other religious groups residing in America- especially Muslims. Muslims are a sub-culture to the more popular group of Christians, but does that mean that they are all terrorists or inclined to violence?
Recently, Christians have had a hard time adjusting to the fact that Muslims are becoming increasingly more dominant especially in some regions of the U.S. Christians in areas densely populated with Muslims have spoken out about their difficulty adjusting to the appearance of mosques in their neighborhood and do not like the prayer call that is played. In the episode of '30 Days' we watched in class, people were saying that when they thought of Muslims they thought of terrorists, violence, Aladdin's flying carpet and 9/11. Perhaps if Muslims, and other religions, were portrayed in the media with a more reputable manner there would be less misconception.
TRUE CUSTOMER SERVICE!
by Jessica Vazquez
I work at CVS/pharmacy were being a normal cashier is out of the question. Self checkouts have taken over, and become a major part of our everyday life. They are in your local grocery store, and now “for your convince”, at your local pharmacy. They are an alternative way to get you the customer in and out of the store more quickly. In the economy that we have today, is self checkouts really what’s best? On a regular day at work I get at least four to six complaints about them. Not because it is not functioning correctly, but because the customers feel like the self checkouts are putting people out of jobs. As a cashier there, I really never seem to mind them much. It gives me a chance to do other task throughout my day, also allows me not to have to interact with nasty customers. What I had to ask myself was is that really standing up to having true customer service? Not at all, some people including myself believe that the one on one interaction with the customers seem to make a difference. Something else I had to think about was that instead of having four cashiers on that shift with the self checkout all they need is one. In my opinion the shelf checkout only benefits the retailer. The retailers save money on reducing the number of staff they have.
Karl Marx’s had a theory which they now call Marxism. He believed that are social economy was ruled by the wealthy upper class simply for their own benefits. Marx’s brought socialism to the light. Socialism is having the social owner ship of a production or management. Self checkouts are only benefited by the corporate enterprises. A machine is taking the place of a job that a human being may need to support their selves or family. So, does replacing a person’s job with a machine really make it more convent for the customer or the company?
A Lil Something Called SEX =)
By Charnay Wilson
Sex is something that is supposed to happen. Although sex is considered “natural” there is a right way, and a wrong way. God created man and woman so that they can populate the earth. Sex is something that is supposed to be sacred, but with the help of the media and the lack of sex education from the parents and schools, sex is something that can kill you. Sex is everywhere, TV, radio, movies, and even in books. Everything that children have free access to contains sex.
Today children are exposed to many things that they shouldn’t be exposed to. Especially in the urban community, and low income families. Personally I blame the parents. Children only see and do what their parents allow them to do. Even if the child sneak and do something that they know that they shouldn’t, at least they have enough respect and common sense and not let their parents or other grownups find out.
Today children are growing up with the wrong idea about sex. They believe that is just all about fun, they really don’t understand the negative effects that come with sex. That’s why there is a high rate of STD‘s and STI‘s among teens and young adults. They are not informed on how to protect themselves. It’s sad because there are young men and women out here with HIV, and there are some women as young as 13 who are having children and will never have a real chance to enjoy their childhood. There should be more programs available to teach young people the dos and don’ts. It is a shame that these children are losing their lives and their childhood all because of something called SEX.
SEE THIS IS THE NON SENSE THAT IM TALKING ABOUT v v v v v v v
"Bystander Effect on Septa"
By: Charnise Gillis
Thanksgiving holiday weekend was one of the first times in a long time I have encountered a Bystander Effect. A Bystander Effect refers to a phenomenon of when the greater the number of people present, the less likely an individual will help a person in distress. A person is more likely to help out in an emergency situation if there are no other observers around. That is totally insane. Why is this statement true? Studies have shown that the presence of other people creates a diffusion of responsibility. This is when people are less likely to take action or feel a sense of responsibility in the presence of a large group of people. If there are other observers during an emergency situation, then many individuals do not feel the pressure to help the person in need. Some people do not take need of action because when other people do not react on the situation then the individual may feel that the response is not needed or appropriate. Also, individuals do not feel the need to intervene on a situation if it is ambiguous.
One night my friend and I decided to travel on the bus and we noticed a man leaned over in his seat. A young lady said that he has been on the bus for two whole hours and have not awakened. I asked, “Did you try to wake him or feel his pulse”, she said calmly, “No”. I told the bus driver and he just seem like he didn’t care and proceeded to drive his regular bus route. A man shouted out, “He must be dead!” Eventually, my friend and I stop came up and I felt so ashamed and sad. Questions raced through my mind asking, “Charnise, Why didn’t you do anything?” My response was because I am always running to someone’s rescue during an emergency situation, and just once I wanted to give someone else a chance to save a life.
What would you have done?
AIDS......still here.
by: Erich B.Coppersmith
Tomorrow is World AIDS day and I sit here with so many thoughts and emotions swirling around in my brain like a tornado. Trying to organize my thoughts so that they are coherent is proving rather difficult.
The issue of HIV/AIDS is very close to home for me. Being born in the 1960's made my coming of age coincide exactly with the discovery of HIV/AIDS. Just as I was beginning to come to terms with my own sexuality, despite viscious verbal and physical attacks at school and at home ; I remember watching in horror the stories on the television news about the "gay cancer" and with the little information there was available I became absolutely terrified. No one knew for sure how you got "it" but it seemed that if you were gay you were going to get it.
The images splashed all over the television and the papers of people, mostly gay men, completely stripped of their dignity lying in their death beds covered in sores some weighing in at only 80 pounds; will forever be burned into my mind. The vehemence with which the religious right-wing and the conservatives attacked the dying was absolutely disgusting. Even the President of The United States of America, Ronald Reagan, was in denial regarding the epidemic. People , hundreds, thousands were getting sick and dying and our government officials did not seem to care.
Since those afflicted were marginalized citizens from the fringes of society and deemed by the ecclesiastes and conservatives as perverts and sinners, it was what they deserved. This was the message I received as a teenage boy trying to become a man. Now with this new "gay cancer" would I ever even get to become a man? The conservative climate of the 1980's made it very difficult to "come out" to begin with but with the introduction of HIV/AIDS a lot of young men felt the only choice was between two wooden boxes , a coffin or a closet. Many of those not yet dying quietly crawled back into their closets and nailed the door shut some taking another decade or more to reveal their true selves.
Looking back now it seemed almost as soon as I found out about HIV/AIDS I got a very grave phone call from a friend of a friend. Immediately I knew by the tone of his voice what the nature of this call was. He said it was Ricky, I gasped and dropped the phone. With tears welling up in my eyes and choking on my every word I asked if I could see one of the first friends I made as an adult. We went to visit Ricky where he lived in a very fashionable part of town. We entered his beautifully decorated apartment now dark and lifeless with all the curtains drawn and in silence , slowly walked to the living room where he was laid out like some silent film star on a giant red velvet chaise lounge. The bed in his bedroom was too high off the ground for him to safely get in and out. Looking like a withered caricature of his once handsome and vibrant self, I knelt beside him a little afraid to touch him at first and after a moment I could no longer hold back the flood of emotion I burst into tears as I held his hand. He pulled me close and told me that he had lived a wonderful life and that his dying wish was for his "gay family" to do the same and not be sad for him. Two weeks later Ricky died. The first adult gay friend I ever had also became the first person I knew to die of AIDS. Very sadly Ricky was not the last person in my life I was to lose, there were many more.
I soon became determined to not die in a box from this disease or be sequestered in the closet. I got involved in ACT UP,PFLAG, The Youth Attic and a few other oranizations dedicated to the survival of PWA's and the education of those who were not infected. I marched on Washington, D.C. three times with hunreds of thousands of other like mined people. I delivered food with MANNA. I tried to make a difference, to make it easier for someone else to live with or die from AIDS.
Being involved with HIV/AIDS from the very beginning has given me a long range perspective on the epidemic. I feel that HIV/AIDS has not been given the amount of focus in the last 10 years that it truly needs, this is a GLOBAL EPIDEMIC!! This disease is still here! It is not over yet!We can NEVER do enough to help those afflicted and stigmatized. We MUST do all we can to educate those in our lives and around the world. Get tested, know your status. Be safe, educate others.
As long as anyone has AIDS.... we all do.
In Loving Memory of Ricky Mercado (1956-1987)
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Tomorrow is World AIDS day and I sit here with so many thoughts and emotions swirling around in my brain like a tornado. Trying to organize my thoughts so that they are coherent is proving rather difficult.
The issue of HIV/AIDS is very close to home for me. Being born in the 1960's made my coming of age coincide exactly with the discovery of HIV/AIDS. Just as I was beginning to come to terms with my own sexuality, despite viscious verbal and physical attacks at school and at home ; I remember watching in horror the stories on the television news about the "gay cancer" and with the little information there was available I became absolutely terrified. No one knew for sure how you got "it" but it seemed that if you were gay you were going to get it.
The images splashed all over the television and the papers of people, mostly gay men, completely stripped of their dignity lying in their death beds covered in sores some weighing in at only 80 pounds; will forever be burned into my mind. The vehemence with which the religious right-wing and the conservatives attacked the dying was absolutely disgusting. Even the President of The United States of America, Ronald Reagan, was in denial regarding the epidemic. People , hundreds, thousands were getting sick and dying and our government officials did not seem to care.
Looking back now it seemed almost as soon as I found out about HIV/AIDS I got a very grave phone call from a friend of a friend. Immediately I knew by the tone of his voice what the nature of this call was. He said it was Ricky, I gasped and dropped the phone. With tears welling up in my eyes and choking on my every word I asked if I could see one of the first friends I made as an adult. We went to visit Ricky where he lived in a very fashionable part of town. We entered his beautifully decorated apartment now dark and lifeless with all the curtains drawn and in silence , slowly walked to the living room where he was laid out like some silent film star on a giant red velvet chaise lounge. The bed in his bedroom was too high off the ground for him to safely get in and out. Looking like a withered caricature of his once handsome and vibrant self, I knelt beside him a little afraid to touch him at first and after a moment I could no longer hold back the flood of emotion I burst into tears as I held his hand. He pulled me close and told me that he had lived a wonderful life and that his dying wish was for his "gay family" to do the same and not be sad for him. Two weeks later Ricky died. The first adult gay friend I ever had also became the first person I knew to die of AIDS. Very sadly Ricky was not the last person in my life I was to lose, there were many more.
I soon became determined to not die in a box from this disease or be sequestered in the closet. I got involved in ACT UP,PFLAG, The Youth Attic and a few other oranizations dedicated to the survival of PWA's and the education of those who were not infected. I marched on Washington, D.C. three times with hunreds of thousands of other like mined people. I delivered food with MANNA. I tried to make a difference, to make it easier for someone else to live with or die from AIDS.
Being involved with HIV/AIDS from the very beginning has given me a long range perspective on the epidemic. I feel that HIV/AIDS has not been given the amount of focus in the last 10 years that it truly needs, this is a GLOBAL EPIDEMIC!! This disease is still here! It is not over yet!We can NEVER do enough to help those afflicted and stigmatized. We MUST do all we can to educate those in our lives and around the world. Get tested, know your status. Be safe, educate others.
As long as anyone has AIDS.... we all do.
In Loving Memory of Ricky Mercado (1956-1987)
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Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Melanie Hines- Health Blog
During my routine Saturday morning trip to target, I ended up in fresh produce section picking up grapes and bananas for my three year old daughter. While pushing my cart towards the next isle, My train of thought was interrupted when I suddenly became head on with an oncoming cart, after sharing an apologetic smile with the young lady steering, I couldn't help but notice the infant that was staring up at me from a car seat. She was adorable, dressed in all pink except for the white and purple polka dot bib around her neck covered in bright orange smears of cheese. To my surprise this infant was chomping on a cheese puff. After making my own assumption that this baby was no older than nine months, I cooed over her and asked " how old is she?" The young lady pushing the cart replied with a huge smile. "Shes just six months, and she weighs 22 pounds already! She eats everything!!" My initial thought was well I'm sure you GIVE her everything to eat. I couldn't help thinking about this all day, then suddenly it hit me that it was the perfect idea for a health blog.
At six months of life, an infants intake should be restricted to milk (breast/formula), water, and sometimes a serving of rice cereal depending on the digestive system. In no scenario should an infant have cheese puffs, chips,or anything of that matter as a snack. Not only was this snack high in sodium, but dairy products are harsh on adults digestive systems, I can only imagine the affect it would have on an infant. I pondered all day on the fact that someone would even make that choice for their child. I always look at infants and think of how they are like a blank book, just waiting to pages to be filled with knowledge, manners, habits that all come from people that care for them. If you make a choice to pacify your baby with food, and unhealthy snacks then these are the eating habits they will have throughout their lives. I was astonished that this lady not only seemed entertained by the fact that her child was morbidly overweight, but she still had the nerve to show the world how the baby became that way by feeding her junk food in the middle of the store. I assume she will not be happy with what the end results of these behaviors include; heart disease, diabetes, asthma, insomnia, and depression are all side effects of obesity. 12.5 million children in America are obese. Also, when one parent is obese there is a fifty percent chance the children will be as well.
Changing eating habits isnt the easiest thing to do, but it would be the smartest choice to make. If not for ourselves we need to set positive examples for children, ours or even the ones we run into at target. A proper diet and daily exercise is the key to healthiness. I have made the decision to eat to live, rather than livng to eat, and i feel better already.
At six months of life, an infants intake should be restricted to milk (breast/formula), water, and sometimes a serving of rice cereal depending on the digestive system. In no scenario should an infant have cheese puffs, chips,or anything of that matter as a snack. Not only was this snack high in sodium, but dairy products are harsh on adults digestive systems, I can only imagine the affect it would have on an infant. I pondered all day on the fact that someone would even make that choice for their child. I always look at infants and think of how they are like a blank book, just waiting to pages to be filled with knowledge, manners, habits that all come from people that care for them. If you make a choice to pacify your baby with food, and unhealthy snacks then these are the eating habits they will have throughout their lives. I was astonished that this lady not only seemed entertained by the fact that her child was morbidly overweight, but she still had the nerve to show the world how the baby became that way by feeding her junk food in the middle of the store. I assume she will not be happy with what the end results of these behaviors include; heart disease, diabetes, asthma, insomnia, and depression are all side effects of obesity. 12.5 million children in America are obese. Also, when one parent is obese there is a fifty percent chance the children will be as well.
Changing eating habits isnt the easiest thing to do, but it would be the smartest choice to make. If not for ourselves we need to set positive examples for children, ours or even the ones we run into at target. A proper diet and daily exercise is the key to healthiness. I have made the decision to eat to live, rather than livng to eat, and i feel better already.
THE POWER OF SPORT IN THE SOCIETY
By Iqmat Adediran:
Sports can have a great impact on
people and society. Watching sports such as Olympic Games and the
soccer/football World Cup inspires people with excitement. Playing sports can
give people joy. Some people work as professional players, and some people work
in areas which are related to sports. Besides these positive and well-known
effects of sports on people and society, sports play very important roles in
social change in many areas of the world in many aspects, for instance, peace
building, health promotion, educating youth, social inclusion, promotion of
living condition. Sports have also helped to promote the fight against racism
all over the world.
An organization called "Homeless World Cup" in UK
changes living conditions of homeless people through soccer. They started World
Cup for homeless people in 2003 with 5 national teams. In 2007, number of
participating countries grew into 48 from all over the world, such as USA,
France, China, Norway, and Cameroon. Members of each team have been selected
through trial in each country. It is estimated that about more than 25000
homeless people have access to trainings or trials. Statistics shows that the
activity has brought great changes to their life. After World Cup in 2006, 92%
have a new motivation for life (342 players), 89% have improved social
relations (331 players), 35% have secured regular employment (130 players), 44%
have improved their housing situation (164 players), 39% chose to pursue
education (145 players), etc. Soccer gave them motivations and opportunities to
improve their life and living conditions. Sports are also used as a tool for
promoting human health.
Many researches have resulted that common health
problems and diseases such as obesity, mental illness, cancers, diabetes, can
be prevented or risk of getting them can be lowered by experiencing proper amount
of physical activities. In addition to this, especially in developing
countries, sports provide opportunities for health education. As it is
well-known, spread of AIDS is very serious issue which is likely resulted
because of the lack of proper health education. Many organizations gather youth
and they play some sports together. Sports help people to develop close
relationship very quickly which makes easier for them to talk about serious
issues such as how to protect themselves and others from AIDS. In this case, sports
provide people opportunity of physical fitness and health education. Sports can
have positive impacts in society. What have to be considered is how to utilize
sports and for whom and in what situation we are trying to make changes. By
doing so, perhaps it is possible to foster a better society through the power
of sports and expand the impact of sports on people and society.
Does Our Social Class Depend On Our Health Insurance?
By: Johnnylee Benitez
The first health insurance plan was brought up on the Civil War (1861-1865). The coverage was accidents with travel with rail or steamboats. As the years went by more and more policies past. Later in the 1940's and 1950's the employee benefits plan came about. Their was coverage for just about anything, until in the 1990's Clinton purpose that all Americans get health care; but Congress opposed because of cost. (Northern California Neurosurgery Medical Group). http://www.neurosurgical.com/medical_history_and_ethics/history/history_of_health_insurance.htm
Now in 2011, our health insurance as skyrocketed. It has become unequal for the rest of our society who are not while or middle-class living in suburban areas, also known as the "Conflict Theory". In Chapter 14, of the textbook they have listed the inequalities in health insurance. (page.358)
The first health insurance plan was brought up on the Civil War (1861-1865). The coverage was accidents with travel with rail or steamboats. As the years went by more and more policies past. Later in the 1940's and 1950's the employee benefits plan came about. Their was coverage for just about anything, until in the 1990's Clinton purpose that all Americans get health care; but Congress opposed because of cost. (Northern California Neurosurgery Medical Group). http://www.neurosurgical.com/medical_history_and_ethics/history/history_of_health_insurance.htm
Now in 2011, our health insurance as skyrocketed. It has become unequal for the rest of our society who are not while or middle-class living in suburban areas, also known as the "Conflict Theory". In Chapter 14, of the textbook they have listed the inequalities in health insurance. (page.358)
- Unequal distribution of health care by race-ethnicity, social class, or gender.
- Unequal distribution of health care by region.
- Inadequate health education of inner-city and rural parents.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Christmas vs Xmas
By: Aleshia Satterthwaite
With Christmas approaching many people have begun shopping and preparing for the wonderful day. The toy stores are busy with frustrated parents trying to find that must have toy. As the department stores become crowded, shoppers will become ruder as the day draws near. Credit cards are being max out by people who will later regret how they spent and will complain about interest rates. Some people are actually dreading Christmas, because they believe the holidays are stressful and overwhelming. It appears Christmas has become a commercial holiday. Society looks at it as a way to stimulate the economy. Society has taken the Christ out of Christmas. What is the true meaning of Christmas?
VS
Do not let Christmas become a hassle. Christmas is a holy day celebrated by Christian around the world. We celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Jesus is the ultimate Gift given by God to a virgin named Mary.
Some have taken the Christ out of Christmas, by writing or speaking Xmas. Do not take the Christ out of Christmas. Instead, celebrate Christmas by smiling at someone. Feeding someone that is hungry. Provide shelter for someone that sleeps under the stars. Christmas is a season of giving.
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Public Schooling by Chavelle Carter
It is believed here in the United States that "schooling" makes each person a good citizen, and most of us accept these goals in one form or another as a decent definition of public education. We have been taught to believe that "schooling" is synonymous with "success". Public schools train children to be employees and consumers and not leaders. Public schools train children to establish fixed habits of reacting to authority. Public schools train children to conform because conformity is predictable. Pubic schools are meant to determine each childs role in society and once their role is determined they are sorted and trained for that role, and mandatory public schooling is experimentation on young minds to conform childrens habits and attitudes to what society demands. If the underclass children are divided by subject, by age-grading, by constant ranking on test, and separated in childhood it is unlikely that the ingnorant mass of mankind will ever reintergrate. It is believed that a small group of children (Cognative Elite) will be taught to manage the deliberately dumbed down population so that the goverment might proceed unchanged and unchallenged. Their is a road block in the broken public school education system with it's ineffecent and forced confinement of students. The working class and the poor are denied the same opportunities as the upper class. What do you think about "Public Schooling"?
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Public School Education by Kardia Rowe
While browsing
through a web site call This week in education, I came upon this
cartoon. It catches my attention because of what is said on it, “The end of
public education is near”. This is saying that the kids who are in public
schools will now be going to another school that is not public. everyone is
just giving up on the public school system when it’s not the school itself,
it’s the kids that are in the school who don’t have any respect and don’t want
to get an education. Even if they do want an education, there are others who
are trying to mess it up for them. Over the past couple of years graduation
rate in public schools has risen around the nation but let’s take one city for
example. In Philadelphia, it has been raised to more than 60% over the past 6
years.
At the
bottom of the cartoon, it says “would that be such a bad thing?” the thing that
some people need to get is that it would be a bad thing for low income parents.
Parents don’t just send their child to public school because they want to some
parents send them because they can’t a better education for their child. Another
thing is that most of the good teachers are put in some of the best schools,
while there are teachers who don’t want to teacher are left in public school, so
the students don’t want to learn anything.
In conclusion, at the end of the day, public education is
what most parents have to rely on, especially when there is no other chose. Every
child had heard the key phrase, “Education is the key to success”. No matter
what they want to be in life but sometimes it’s not just the parents that needs
to push them, they also needs help from the teachers,
RIP Middle Class by Johnny Perez
The middle class are usually the people who are living pretty well in life. They’re not rich and they are not poor. To be considered middle class you make enough money to pay off your bills and living expenses but at the same time be able to save money. I think determining who is in middle class and isn’t is sometimes hard to determine. As are economy is getting worst I have recently read that little by little are middle class will be disappearing and will no longer exist there will just be an upper and lower class.The reason for this is because Americans sense of direction has become worst as years have gone bye. Not only is are economy becoming worst but are citizens are becoming bad citizens. Many Americans today have no culture, no heritage, and no real activities besides going to their jobs and doing personal things. Americans aren’t really aware about whats going on because many are caught up in their own lives. The education system continues to fail which makes things even worst.
The upper class will continue to become richer and are lower class will never be able to upgrade themselves to middle class citizens because are middle class will be wiped out soon. As we loose more and more jobs, this will begin to effect are middle class. The cost of living is becoming high and soon job cuts will get to are middle class. Middle class citizens will soon have to downgrade and become part of the lower class citizens.
At this rate America will have 2 classes the 2 percent who are really rich truly the upper middle class. Then the other 95 percent percent who will become to wonder if they have enough money to buy something that is worth having.
The upper class will continue to become richer and are lower class will never be able to upgrade themselves to middle class citizens because are middle class will be wiped out soon. As we loose more and more jobs, this will begin to effect are middle class. The cost of living is becoming high and soon job cuts will get to are middle class. Middle class citizens will soon have to downgrade and become part of the lower class citizens.
At this rate America will have 2 classes the 2 percent who are really rich truly the upper middle class. Then the other 95 percent percent who will become to wonder if they have enough money to buy something that is worth having.
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