Racism is an absurd idea. Being prejudice or discriminating against another human being due to the color of their skin isn't easy to comprehend; however, this was common knowledge back in the days of slavery. Generation after generation have slowly unraveled the concept of racism and have made huge strides toward equality. Although we are not there yet, we are better of than we were.
I had the opportunity to live in Kiev, Ukraine for six months. During this time, Russia was invading Crimea and other parts of Ukraine. Consequently, the city was hostile and every citizen was on edge. The Ukrainian military patrolled the streets with heavy machine guns while the Rebels were interwoven with the public. Fear was rampant in the streets and caused many disturbances. To my surprise, the people in Kiev and other cities around Ukraine I visited could pick me out of a crowd and identify me as an American. This was shocking for two reasons. One, my skin color was the same as theirs and two, I attempted to dress similarly.
This is relevant because as I walked the streets constantly being questioned and harassed, I recognized how easy it is to tell people apart by their skin color. The concept may seem a bit obvious and simple but I didn't truly acknowledge it until that moment. If my skin was brown or black, I wouldn't have the ability to try and go unnoticed (even though I didn't succeed in that area anyway). Skin color is apart of who someone is. It is in their genetic makeup. As I was sitting on the subway thinking about this, I started to laugh to myself. Not because I find the matter funny, but because I find it utterly ridiculous.
As I traveled into different countries of Europe, it was interesting to see each culture. Geographically, the countries are not far apart and I assumed they would share many characteristics but this was not so. Learning a little bit of the history of each place highlighted the struggle with the surrounding countries. Racism is nothing new and has been around for thousands of years. It is interwoven through our history books and will continue to do so without change.
Now, my personal experiences have shaped who I am and have given me unique perspectives on many topics. A subject close to home (literally) is discrimination within America. On December 6th, 1865 the Thirteenth Amendment added to the United State's Constitution abolished slavery. So, approximately 152 years ago people started to shift away from slavery. I use the term "started" loosely because it took many many years after that for it to really go into effect. My hope is to continually progress. This isn't subject to color but encompasses every culture. In the year 2017, we are better than we were but we are not there yet. It isn't easy undoing what previous men have done.
Tuesday, February 28, 2017
Tuesday, February 21, 2017
Well Informed Religion 3.0
Religion 3.0
Religion and social media are an interesting combination. The emergence of social has had a tremendous effect on many controversial topics. Although politics have recently stolen the limelight, religion is a constant ideology and will never go away. Religion is a personal and essential component of many lives around the world. On some level, everyone has a belief to explain the how, why, or what. The how, why, and what are the big question(s). How was man created? Why was man created? What happens when you die? Is there a higher being and if so, how? What is the purpose? There are an infinite amount of big questions and consequently, an infinite amount of answers.
With these enormous concepts, it is difficult for people to comprehend. It is interesting to witness individuals who are trying to understand something that has happened, they extend it to some existential reason. For example, if a tragedy occurs, most people will use or hear the phrase "there is a plan" or a statement similar to it. If you lose a close family member or friend, it takes an emotional toll on you. In order to alleviate some of the pain, religion is used to lean on.
Social media provides a pathway to connect with those who share similar interests and beliefs. There are many online websites and groups being created for multiple religions. I find it interesting how religion isn't talked about as much anymore. Religion has played an enormous role in previous generations and has shaped the decisions of men and women around the world. Currently in today's world, religion is almost prohibited to talk about. It could be due to the decline of fervent believers or other subjects have stolen the limelight. Political agendas steal the attention and distract people from religion.
I feel religion isn't seen on social media as much as the other big topics because of its nature. Religion discounts facts and relies on faith. People can't argue with faith and typically the disagreements stop there. Social media feeds on the drama of contrasting opinions. That is why religion does not get the same amount of publicity. People can argue about whether a democrat or republican is better, but they can't argue (as well) about what happens when you die on social media.
According to the Pew Research Center, around seven out of ten Americans use social media to connect with someone else, see the news, or share information. Looking at the different platforms, social media is a large part of today's society. What I find interesting is the fact the Bible app has been downloaded approximately 162 million whereas Facebook as been downloaded over a BILLION times. I believe religion is more within the home than it is publicized, especially when it comes to social media.
Religion and social media are an interesting combination. The emergence of social has had a tremendous effect on many controversial topics. Although politics have recently stolen the limelight, religion is a constant ideology and will never go away. Religion is a personal and essential component of many lives around the world. On some level, everyone has a belief to explain the how, why, or what. The how, why, and what are the big question(s). How was man created? Why was man created? What happens when you die? Is there a higher being and if so, how? What is the purpose? There are an infinite amount of big questions and consequently, an infinite amount of answers.
With these enormous concepts, it is difficult for people to comprehend. It is interesting to witness individuals who are trying to understand something that has happened, they extend it to some existential reason. For example, if a tragedy occurs, most people will use or hear the phrase "there is a plan" or a statement similar to it. If you lose a close family member or friend, it takes an emotional toll on you. In order to alleviate some of the pain, religion is used to lean on.
Social media provides a pathway to connect with those who share similar interests and beliefs. There are many online websites and groups being created for multiple religions. I find it interesting how religion isn't talked about as much anymore. Religion has played an enormous role in previous generations and has shaped the decisions of men and women around the world. Currently in today's world, religion is almost prohibited to talk about. It could be due to the decline of fervent believers or other subjects have stolen the limelight. Political agendas steal the attention and distract people from religion.
I feel religion isn't seen on social media as much as the other big topics because of its nature. Religion discounts facts and relies on faith. People can't argue with faith and typically the disagreements stop there. Social media feeds on the drama of contrasting opinions. That is why religion does not get the same amount of publicity. People can argue about whether a democrat or republican is better, but they can't argue (as well) about what happens when you die on social media.
According to the Pew Research Center, around seven out of ten Americans use social media to connect with someone else, see the news, or share information. Looking at the different platforms, social media is a large part of today's society. What I find interesting is the fact the Bible app has been downloaded approximately 162 million whereas Facebook as been downloaded over a BILLION times. I believe religion is more within the home than it is publicized, especially when it comes to social media.
Thursday, February 16, 2017
OTM2
On the Media
“See you in Court”
This week, On the Media took another look at reoccurring controversial issues happening around the country; specifically, protesting in its various forms. The segment began addressing the blockade on President Trump’s travel ban. Although this act is not commonly referred to as a form of protesting, it is a way to defy an order by utilizing the judicial system. Hoping to avoid a constitutional crisis seems to be getting more difficult every single day. With the constant protests, jabs, reactions, and consequences, it has tried the stability of the constitution as we know it. The problem I see is the lack of unity. The checks and balances system is an important component of government. Although, if the system is used improperly and nothing can get done, the American people suffer.
“See you in Court”
This week, On the Media took another look at reoccurring controversial issues happening around the country; specifically, protesting in its various forms. The segment began addressing the blockade on President Trump’s travel ban. Although this act is not commonly referred to as a form of protesting, it is a way to defy an order by utilizing the judicial system. Hoping to avoid a constitutional crisis seems to be getting more difficult every single day. With the constant protests, jabs, reactions, and consequences, it has tried the stability of the constitution as we know it. The problem I see is the lack of unity. The checks and balances system is an important component of government. Although, if the system is used improperly and nothing can get done, the American people suffer.
There seems to be a rise of hypocritical viewpoints damaging free speech on both ends of the spectrum. For example, Milo Yiannopoulos, an editor for Breitbart News, was asked to give a speech at U.C. Berkeley. Disregarding his viewpoints, approximately 1,500 "protestors" arrived on campus and began knocking down barricades, lighting fires, throwing rocks, breaking windows, and prevented the public speech to ever take place. Isn't the whole fight for equality for all? It doesn't matter whether you are far-left or far-right, a democracy is built on the combination and corraboration of all its citizens. This does not only include the rich and powerful or government officials, but even those with a small voice. Now, the Milo incident wasn't the only protest turn riot. It has and will continue happening all over the world at this current rate.
As a country, if we are to make the accusation of an inevitable constitutional crisis we should be able to identify and understand what it means. US Legal defines it as, "A constitutional crisis refers to a situation dealing with the inability to resolve a disagreement involving the governing constitution of a political body. Typically, a dispute or an interpretation or violation of a provision in the constitution between different branches of government is involved. A constitutional crisis may threaten to break down government function". If this is the case, are we really close to you a crisis? What qualifies a crisis and what are some of the signs for it? Constitution Daily gives five different scenarios of past events.
The Constitution Daily provides a history of different time periods where the United States experienced a constitutional crisis. These five instances include: when a president dies, states decide to leave the union, states can't agree on the presidential election, Watergate, and the Bush vs. Gore election. From each period of time, there are a couple consistencies between them. First, all but include an issue or the election of a president.
As a country, if we are to make the accusation of an inevitable constitutional crisis we should be able to identify and understand what it means. US Legal defines it as, "A constitutional crisis refers to a situation dealing with the inability to resolve a disagreement involving the governing constitution of a political body. Typically, a dispute or an interpretation or violation of a provision in the constitution between different branches of government is involved. A constitutional crisis may threaten to break down government function". If this is the case, are we really close to you a crisis? What qualifies a crisis and what are some of the signs for it? Constitution Daily gives five different scenarios of past events.
The Constitution Daily provides a history of different time periods where the United States experienced a constitutional crisis. These five instances include: when a president dies, states decide to leave the union, states can't agree on the presidential election, Watergate, and the Bush vs. Gore election. From each period of time, there are a couple consistencies between them. First, all but include an issue or the election of a president.
Thursday, February 9, 2017
An App Idea
For those familiar with the website Turnitin, you are either a professor who uses it or a student who dreads it. The site will take any typed piece of work and analyze it for plagiarism. My proposition for a new app falls under this same idea. Instead of analyzing papers, the app would analyze media reports. So, if there is some report that comes out on CNN, Fox, or any journalistic organization, the user will be able to copy the report into the app. The app would then analyze the story, look for factual information, commentary, track what statistic or quote came from where, and produce a percentage on how trustworthy the particular source is. With the decline of evidence-based broadcasting, people need this app more than ever.
Monday, February 6, 2017
Well Informed Learning 2.0
Educational systems have been around for centuries in one form or another. In the modern society for which we live in today, are we getting better? Are we progressing or digressing? These questions call attention to the specific goals of society, communities, and the individual. Before looking at the obvious factual and statistical evidence, there needs to be a focus on the purposes of education.
I grew up in a very standard place as far as education goes. Moving through the system and conforming to the standard. It wasn't until a year ago I heard of Montessori. Montessori is a undervalued form of education. It moves away from the typical mold of how to educate. Rather than forcing students to become comprehensive in many different subjects, it allows students to excel in a subject they naturally click with. Obviously, there is a foundation built for the different subjects but it highlights hands on learning.
As a country, the current system is in place to funnel students through elementary, middle school, high school, and then into an accredited university. For some, their dreams and aspirations do not fit this mold and consequently sentence them to occupational discrimination. People are not being judged according to their skill but rather to a diploma and the university for which it came from. According to the U.S. Department of Education, "Already, three-quarters of the fastest-growing occupations require education beyond a high school diploma, with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics careers prominent on the list". In short, people need a college degree if they want a good shot at "making it"; however, the phrase is specific to the individual.
If there is one appalling fact of higher education, it is the amount of money put into it and profited. The map above compares the richest universities to other countries with the same gross domestic product.
There is a case to be made for the progress of current educational systems. The Millennial Legacy, a privately owned website, states, "Thus far, Millennials are on track to become the most educated generation in American history". Because of the reformed structure in schools, it has caused an increase in college graduates. Although Millennials are still behind Generation X, they are projected to lead in this statistic. Pushing for higher education does instill competition. With students competing for spots at renowned universities, the qualifications and expectations are rising. There are new precedents being set every day and is a direct cause of the success reached by college graduates.
Our country does well and is progressing in the areas it wants. Education is a vast concept and reaches out to many different expertise, experience, and trades. The current educational system is limited and therefore becomes more stagnant. There is so much opportunity and potential that is not being utilized. Widening the range outside of the strict and orderly curriculum would greatly benefit the advancement in education.
I grew up in a very standard place as far as education goes. Moving through the system and conforming to the standard. It wasn't until a year ago I heard of Montessori. Montessori is a undervalued form of education. It moves away from the typical mold of how to educate. Rather than forcing students to become comprehensive in many different subjects, it allows students to excel in a subject they naturally click with. Obviously, there is a foundation built for the different subjects but it highlights hands on learning.
As a country, the current system is in place to funnel students through elementary, middle school, high school, and then into an accredited university. For some, their dreams and aspirations do not fit this mold and consequently sentence them to occupational discrimination. People are not being judged according to their skill but rather to a diploma and the university for which it came from. According to the U.S. Department of Education, "Already, three-quarters of the fastest-growing occupations require education beyond a high school diploma, with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics careers prominent on the list". In short, people need a college degree if they want a good shot at "making it"; however, the phrase is specific to the individual.
If there is one appalling fact of higher education, it is the amount of money put into it and profited. The map above compares the richest universities to other countries with the same gross domestic product.
There is a case to be made for the progress of current educational systems. The Millennial Legacy, a privately owned website, states, "Thus far, Millennials are on track to become the most educated generation in American history". Because of the reformed structure in schools, it has caused an increase in college graduates. Although Millennials are still behind Generation X, they are projected to lead in this statistic. Pushing for higher education does instill competition. With students competing for spots at renowned universities, the qualifications and expectations are rising. There are new precedents being set every day and is a direct cause of the success reached by college graduates.
Our country does well and is progressing in the areas it wants. Education is a vast concept and reaches out to many different expertise, experience, and trades. The current educational system is limited and therefore becomes more stagnant. There is so much opportunity and potential that is not being utilized. Widening the range outside of the strict and orderly curriculum would greatly benefit the advancement in education.
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