Your Thoughts and Feedback Are Appreciated!

Well another quarter has come and gone!  I have enjoyed getting to know all of you and hearing your opinions in class!  When we started together, most of you hated politics, and now you are ready to go out and change the world!  I wish all of you blessings and success in the future.  Please stay in touch and feel free to visit and post on the blog whenever you like.

So for our last blog post, I would like to get your thoughts and feedback on the class.  "What did you like or dislike about the class?  What could I do to make it better?"  Answers are due no later than Monday, December 15th, 2014.  After that, the blog will be down until class resumes next quarter.  May you all have a joyful and peaceful holiday season!  Enjoy the break!

Hands up! Don't Shoot!

I hope you all enjoyed a nice holiday last week.  My Thanksgiving did not go as planned.  As those of you who were in class with me know, I was sick right before Thanksgiving.  At the time, I thought I might have the flu or a sinus infection.  Long story short, I never got any better.  In fact, I got worse.  So much worse, that I had to cancel the work trip that I had planned for this week because my doctor advised me not to fly. 

While I’ve been recovering, I’ve been watching more television than usual.  One thing that has kept me occupied has been the unfolding of events in Ferguson, Missouri.  As I’m sure you all know, on August 8, 2014, Michael Brown, an 18 year old, unarmed, African American was fatally shot by police office officer Darren Wilson.  Brown was walking in the middle of the street with a friend, when Officer Wilson drove up and asked them to move to the sidewalk.  An altercation occurred through the window of the police vehicle which resulted in Wilson’s gun being fired. Brown and his companion fled separate ways, with Wilson following Brown.

What happened next is in dispute.  Some witness report that Brown raised his hands and surrendered, in fact saying, “Don’t shoot!”  Others, including Officer Wilson say Brown turned and started charging the officer.  We’ll probably never know for sure exactly how things unfolded on that fateful day, but what we do know is that Officer Wilson fired a total of 12 rounds, fatally shooting Brown.  On November 24, a grand jury decided not to indict Officer Wilson for his actions, sparking turmoil and unrest throughout the city of Ferguson and in many cities around the world.

My thoughts on this issue are a jumbled mess.  I was raised to respect the police and am grateful for those that put their lives on the line every day for my protection.  I have friends and family members that are police officers.  They’re faced with split-second, life-changing decisions every moment they’re on the job.  That being said, I know first-hand how we’ve been treated when my African-American boyfriend and I have been stopped.  There is no denying that we (and by we, I mean basically him), get different treatment by the police than our white friends get. In some cases, I feel our Constitutional rights have been violated – and yes, I’ve said that.  The sad thing is, it hasn’t just happened once or twice.  It’s happened over and over again.  I’ve felt violated, I’ve cried and I’ve felt rage.  It’s a very small part of what I’m sure thousands of minorities feel across our country in terms of the police.  The whole incident just makes me sad.

So my question to you this week is, “What do you think of the events in Ferguson, Missouri?  How do you personally feel about police and what could be done to bridge the gap between people’s perceptions and reality?”  You must answer both questions in their entirety to earn full credit.  Answers are due no later than Monday, December 8^th.   As for me, I need some chicken soup and a nap!

Giving Thanks!

It's been a weird quarter.  From having my class switched to Tuesday nights, to needing a sub two weeks (thank you, Steve!) to missing another week due to Veteran's day, I feel like it has been a crazy quarter.  Don't gt me wrong - I enjoy missing class every now and then as much as you do, but as an instructor, it always makes it hard to catch up.

Now, I have made it clear in class that Thanksgiving is not my favorite holiday. I don't like the way schools fictionalize a story that sounds good, while ignoring the sad facts about how we really treated Native Americans in this country. That being said, I have learned to treat Thanksgiving as a reminder of all the things I am thankful for.

This year, as always, I am thankful for my faith, my family and my friends.  I'm healthy and generally happy, and I am surrounded by people who love me. I have two jobs that I really enjoy, and a great class this quarter.  Yes - when all is said and done, I have it pretty good.  I hope I never lose sight of that, and always continue to be thankful for what I have.

So, in honor of the holiday my question to you this week will be an easy one. "What are you thankful for this holiday season?" Answers are due no later than Monday, December 2nd, 2014.  I hope all of you have a wonderful holiday full of good food, good friends and good conversation! Enjoy your break!


P.S.  And for those of you who are wondering....she's having a boy!  My little nephew is due to arrive in early April, and I'm already in love with him!  Just one more thing I'm thankful for!

10 Fingers and 10 Toes

This Friday, I will be going with my sister to her ultrasound appointment to find out if I have a little niece or nephew coming soon. I’m super excited!  I don’t have children of my own and my sister’s kids are the closest I’m probably ever going to get, so being able to be there for this moment is priceless to me.  However, I’ll be honest – I can never see anything on the ultrasound pictures.  To me, it just looks like the static on the old black and white televisions, but my sister always stares at it intently and swears she can see all the baby’s facial features.

Which is why I’ve been interested in the recent debate that has sprung up in which some states have moved to make ultrasounds part of the abortion service provision.  Currently, 12 states require that a woman undergo verbal counseling and receive written materials on how to access ultrasound services.  3 states mandate the provider to not only perform an ultrasound, but show and explain the images to women prior to performing the abortion.  10 more states require the provider to perform an ultrasound and then ask the woman if she wants to see the photos.

Those that are pro-life feel that if a woman sees a sonogram of her unborn baby, she’ll want to carry the baby to term.  A recent study by the Obstetrics and Gynecology Association partially supported that theory.  Although the study found that sonogram photos did not sway the decision of those women who said they were “certain” they wanted an abortion, it did sway the decision of those women who said they were “uncertain” if they wanted an abortion or not.  In the majority of cases, those that said they were uncertain prior to seeing the sonogram photos, ended up carrying the baby to term after seeing the photos.

Those that are pro-choice say this is an attempt by the pro-life side to “shame” woman who seek abortions.  They also argue that this is a major violation of the women’s right to privacy and that whether or not to have an ultrasound performed should be the decision of the woman and her doctor.

Next week, we will be discussing our Constitutional rights and freedoms (my favorite class, btw!).  We will learn why the right to privacy in America is an implied right rather than an enumerated one. I’m interested in knowing your thoughts on the topic, so my question to you this week is, “What do you think about requiring ultrasounds to be performed and shown to women seeking abortion?  Does it help save the life of an unborn baby, or does it violate a woman’s right to make decisions about her own body?”  Answers are due no later than Monday, November 24^th, 2014.  As for me, I don’t care whether I have a niece or nephew coming – I just want a healthy baby, which I love already – even if I can’t see anything but static!

 

National Coming Out Day - Part 3

We've talked a bit about same sex marriage in class.  It usually  coincides with National Coming Out Day which is October 11^th. This year, because of the schedule changes, it didn't work out as nicely as it has in the past.  I got busy, other topics came up, and before I knew it - November had arrived!

National Coming Out Day, which began in 1987 promotes a safe world for LGBT individuals to live truthfully and openly. You can read about the controversy that happened here in Indianapolis several years ago on National Coming Out Day and what your fellow students had to say about it here: http://historicalandpoliticalissues.blogspot.com/2010/10/celebrating-national-coming-out-day.html
This year, in honor of National Coming Out Day and in support of a more tolerant America, I decided to blog about the rise of bullying due to sexual orientation. In a previous class, we discussed the issue of cyber-bullying. You can read my thoughts and the student comments here: http://historicalandpoliticalissues.blogspot.com/2010/09/cyber-age-of-bullying.html

The first time I remember hearing about this issue was in 1998, when Matthew Shepherd was targeted, tortured and murdered because of his sexual orientation. I’m sure other hate crimes such as this had happened prior to this event, but it was Matthew’s murder that sticks in my mind most. Tomorrow marks the 16^th anniversary of Matthew Shepherd’s death. Today, hate crimes and bullying based on sexual orientation remain on the rise. Consider the following:

• According to the Gay Lesbian Straight Educator’s Network, students hear anti-gay epithets over 25 times a day and teachers fail to respond 97% of the time.
• According to the Task Force on Youth Suicide, gay youth are 3 times more likely than straight youths to commit suicide. In fact, 30% of all youth suicides have been linked to issues the youth faced concerning their sexual identity.
• The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force reports 28% of gay students drop out of high school.
• In a survey done by the National School Climate Task Force, 64% of gay students feel unsafe at school because of their sexual orientation.

So my question to you this week is, “What do you think can be done to prevent bullying or hate crimes against homosexuals? How should students, parents and the community raise awareness of this issue? Be specific!” Answers are due no later than Monday, November 18th, 2014.

Thank You Veterans!

Next Tuesday, there will be no class (for real this time!) in observance of Veteran’s Day.  I’ve devoted many posts to veterans during the 5 years I’ve been blogging. I’ve blogged before about the mental health issues many veterans face: http://historicalandpoliticalissues.blogspot.com/2011/08/do-we-really-support-our-troops.html  I’ve blogged about how many veterans in this country wind up homeless, which to me, happens far too often: http://historicalandpoliticalissues.blogspot.com/2014/09/home-is-where-your-heart-is.html   I’ve even blogged about the true meaning of Memorial Day, which is often lost on younger generations: http://historicalandpoliticalissues.blogspot.com/2014/05/celebrating-three-day-weekend-thank.html   If you’re interested in reading my thoughts or your fellow students’ comments on any of these issues, you can click the links above.

I make no secret about the fact that I despise war and violence.  I might even go as far as to consider myself an anti-war activist – especially in my younger days.  That being said, I will always have nothing but respect for the men and women who sacrifice so much for the freedoms we often take for granted.  It used to be that everyone felt that way.  Serving in the military was an honor.  Veteran’s returned home to big parades and celebrations and there was no doubt in anyone’s mind that they were true American heroes.  The Vietnam War changed all of that.  Suddenly, because people disagreed with reasoning of the war, they disagreed with those who fought in the war.  Soldiers went from “heroes” to “baby killers,” and although our attitudes have softened slightly since Vietnam, many soldiers returning today still face a lack of appreciation from their country for their service.

No one has served in the military in my family since both of my grandfathers served in World War II.  I’ll be honest, if someone in my family decided to serve I would be scared for them.  I’d be really curious about what was prompting their decision.  However, ultimately I would also be really, really proud of them.  I would support their decision and respect their sacrifice.

So, my question to you this week is, “1) For the veterans: what made you decide to serve?  For everyone else: Would you support a family member who decided to serve?  2) For everyone: What do you think America could do to better support our troops?”  You must answer both questions for full credit.  Answers are due no later than Monday, November 10^th.  To all of our veterans:  Thank you for your service!

Want to know a great way to honor a veteran?  VOTE! If you have questions about where to vote today, please click on the following link: https://indianavoters.in.gov/PublicSite/Public/FT1/PublicLookupMain.aspx?Link=Polling  

 

 

Trick-Or-Treat-Or-Not

Is anyone else excited that Halloween falls on a Friday this year? I love Halloween! It’s definitely one of my top three favorite holidays along with New Year’s Eve and the 4^th of July. There is nothing better as a kid, than running around in costume in the dark getting tons of candy. As an adult, I love getting dressed up and waiting to scare the children that come to my house.

Which is why it really disturbs me that some public schools aren’t even allowed to celebrate Halloween anymore. According the Seattle Public School district, “costumes could offend or upset students who come from other cultures”. The pagan origins of modern Halloween can be found in the Celtic celebration of Samhain, or "End of Summer." The Celts believed that on this agricultural harvest festival the dead revisit the land of the living and communal fires were needed to ward off evil. Many feel that celebrating Halloween is somehow promoting paganism, witchcraft and the occult.

I’m not sure how dressing up as a comic book hero and knocking on doors for candy is related to paganism, but it did get me thinking. In a few weeks, we will be discussing our First Amendment rights, and the separation of church and state. Halloween isn’t the only holiday that schools have banned in the interest of not offending anyone. So my question to you this week is, “What do you think of school’s celebrating holidays? Should they celebrate all holidays, some holidays or none at all?” For an added twist, “What are your Halloween plans?” I’d love to hear what you’re dressing up as! Answers are due no later than Monday, November 3rd, 2014. Have a happy and safe Halloween!

The Freedom to Offend

I was shocked when I read over our last break that a Texas Court of Appeals had legalized “up skirts,” a form of photography that involves individuals taking photos up the skirts of unsuspecting women.  I knew immediately that I needed to investigate further and that I wanted to blog about it for my next class.

The photographer in the case was initially charged with a violation of “improper photography.”  I had never heard of such a thing, but my research revealed that the Texas statute: “Forbids photographs, video and other electronic means in a location that is not a bathroom or private dressing room a) without consent and b) with the intent to arouse or gratify sexual desires.” 

Last month, the Texas Court of Appeals struck down this law.  Presiding judge Sharon Keller wrote in the court’s opinion which stated in part, “Protecting someone who appears in public from being the object of sexual thoughts seems to be the sort of ‘paternalistic interest in regulating the defendant’s mind’ that the First Amendment was designed to guard against.”

I strongly support the First Amendment and the right to free speech or expression.  I know censoring any speech, particularly those that you don’t agree with, is a slippery slope to start down. However, I understand why many Americans were outraged that individuals can now take public photographs, without consent and with the intent to gratify sexual desires.  Want to know the real kicker in this case?  The photographer who was initially charged, Ronald Thompson, was taking underwater pictures of children’s private regions in swimwear, without parental consent, at a San Antonio theme park.  Apparently, that is now perfectly acceptable in America – or at least in Texas.

Some of you plan on making a career out of photography.  I’m sure all of you resent censorship of your work in any form.  So, my question to you this week is, “What do you think of this of this case?  Were the photographer’s Frist Amendment rights infringed upon when he was charged? Should there be a limit to “free speech?”  Answers are due no later than Monday, October 27^th, 2014.

Blame Canada!

Okay, don’t really blame Canada.  I found out that it’s actually a great place.  After much trepidation based on my last encounter with Canadian Board Patrol which resulted in my deportation, I breezed right through without incident on this occasion.  Since I was at Niagra Falls which has both an American and Canadian side, I came back and forth through customs every day, and each time it was just as easy as the first.  It’s not that I want to visit Canada repeatedly, but I resented the fact that they had actually forbid me from entering.  So I’m glad we can finally bury the hatchet. 

In fact, since we spent so much time going through customs, it gave us time to really study the process.  It actually made our mindset shift – suddenly we didn’t think they were checking us enough!  On more than one occasion, we were asked if we were carrying guns or weapons.  When we answered no, we were waived through.  Now, before the government monitors this blog post, and thinks I’m alluding to anything – let me clear: We really didn’t have any guns or weapons.  It’s just that we wondered why you would take our word.  Is that all it takes to get though U.S. border security?  Our cars were never checked, and we were never personally searched.  Our longest wait time was probably 20 minutes.  Keep in mind; we were at one of the largest entry points between the United States and Canada, in which thousands of tourists travel back and forth repeatedly throughout their stay.

Recently, there has been much in the news about the hundreds of undocumented children showing up at our Southern borders.  I don’t support entering any country illegally, but my heart breaks for any individual that would sacrifice everything to gain the freedoms we so easily take for granted.  I support giving people who want to become American citizens a chance.  We are a nation of immigrants.  That being said, we are also a country with a target on our backs.  It seems risky and utterly ridiculous to me that a nation as powerful as ours would have unsecured boarders.

I’m interested in knowing your thoughts on the issue, so my question to you this week is, “Do you think America does a great job of securing our borders?  Do you support illegal immigrants having a path to American citizenship?”  You must answer both questions for full credit.  Just for fun, if you’ve been out of the country before, share your experience with border patrol!

I hope you guys had a good class this week, and I apologize about the schedule changes.  As a reminder, we will have a short quiz over chapter 1 next week, and your project topics will also be due.  Thanks to those who have already emailed me theirs! 

 

Choose Your Own Adventure!

I hope you all enjoyed a nice fall break.  It's always hard coming back to school after break. Don't get me wrong, I love teaching and being surrounded by all the crazy, creative energy that is all of you. That being said, it's still hard to get back into the grind. So for our first blog post, I'll go easy on you.

This week we started our study of the Constitution and the freedoms that make us uniquely American. You can order your own free copy of the United States Constitution from: http://www.constitutionfacts.com/index.cfm?section=bookstore&page=freeCopy.cfm

A good portion of this class will be spent discussing current events and political issues that affect our everyday lives. For this post, I would like you to tell me at least one issue that you are interested in studying. To help you out, you can look over the blog posts that we've had in the past several years to get an idea of the type of things we've covered. Many of the topics are pretty controversial and I do my best to not censor the information available to you.

So my question to you this week is, "What is one issue that you are interested in studying in this class?" Answers are due no later than Monday, October 13th, 2014. I'm looking forward to a great quarter!

Your Thoughts And Feedback Are Appreciated

Another quarter has almost passed. I had fun with you in class this quarter! It’s been a pleasure getting to know all of you this quarter and I hope that you stay in touch, and continue to post on the blog whenever you want.

With that being said, my final question to you is, “What did you like or dislike about the class?  What could I do to make the class better?”  Answers are due no later than Wednesday, September 24th, 2014  After that, the blog will be down until class resumes next quarter.

Staying For Love?

This week, we probably all heard about NFL player, Ray Rice who played for the Baltimore Ravens.  Rice was arrested on assault charges earlier this year, after hotel surveillance cameras showed him dragging his then fiancée out of a hotel elevator.  In March, the criminal charges were dropped after Rice agreed to go to court supervised counseling. Rice married his fiancée, Janay Palmer the day after the charges were dropped.  As a result of the arrest, he also faced a two-game suspension from the NFL.  Fast forward to this week, when the surveillance cameras from inside the elevator were released, showing Ray physically assaulting Palmer, knocking her unconscious and then dragging her body out of the elevator.  The Baltimore Ravens immediately dropped Rice from his contract, and the NFL has suspended him indefinitely.  You can watch the elevator video here, but I must warn you that it’s graphic and upsetting, so viewer discretion is advised: http://www.tmz.com/2014/09/08/ray-rice-elevator-knockout-fiancee-takes-crushing-punch-video/

To say I was disturbed by watching the video and its aftermath would be an understatement.  A few weeks ago I alluded to the fact that I grew up in a violent home.  Then in 2009, my boyfriend’s sister was murdered in a domestic violence incident, leaving behind two young children who witness the attack. Domestic violence has affected the woman that I am today more than any other influence in my life, short of my faith. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and in light of the recent headlines regarding Rice, I thought it would be a good time to blog once again about the issue.

I’m sure we’ve all heard the statistics:

• Every 9 seconds a woman is assaulted or beaten.
• Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women – more than car accidents, muggings and rapes combined.
• 1:4 women will be a victim of domestic violence in their lifetime.

What’s even more concerning is the conversation that has sprung up as a result of the Rice incident, about why Palmer still married him, and has publically supported him since the video footage was released.  Some people just can’t understand what abuse can do to a woman mentally, and why some women are too afraid, or in too much denial to leave.  It has prompted women from all around the country to contribute to a Twitter conversation with the hashtag #WhyIStayed:

“I stayed because my pastor told me that God hates divorce.”

“I stayed because I was halfway across the country, isolated from my friends and family.”

“I stayed because I thought love was enough to conquer all.”

 So my question to you this week is, “Why do you think domestic abuse often goes unreported?  Should there be harsher penalties for abusers?  Was the NFL too lenient in only suspending Rice for 2 games, until the additional elevator footage was released?”  You must answers all questions for full credit.  Answers are due no later than Wednesday, September 17^th, 2014.  If you, or anyone you know has been a victim of domestic violence, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE and talked to a trained counselor 24/7.

To those of you who lost loved ones in the September 11, 2001 attack – my thoughts and prayers are with you today.  To those of you who have served in the armed forces – thank you for your service!

 

Home Is Where Your Heart Is

This past week, I happened to go along with my co-workers to pick up our weekly food pantry supply from Gleaners Food Bank.  Gleaners Food Bank gives our center large, weekly supplies of food, which we then distribute to individuals visiting our emergency food pantry.  While I was there, I noticed one of their advertisements.  It showed two people in conversation, with one person saying “No one in America should go hungry.” Underneath this photo was this: People can’t eat your words.  Put your money where your mouth is: Donate to Gleaners Food Bank. I liked this advertisement because I thought it was true.  Most of us agree with the statement that no one should go hungry in America, but most of us are doing very little to alleviate the situation.

Consider the following statistics taken from the Coalition for Homeless Intervention and Prevention:

·      Families are the fastest growing segment of the homeless population in Indiana.

·      Although it is difficult to get an exact count, there are roughly 15,000 homeless individuals in Indianapolis each year.  Yes, you read that right – not Indiana – Indianapolis!

·      The average age of a homeless individual in the United States is 7. 

·      1:5 homeless individuals are veterans. 

·      40% of homeless individuals have children living on the streets with them.

I’m sure we’ve all seen folks on the street corners begging for change.  Indianapolis has installed eight boxes downtown to help homeless and attempt to control panhandling.  People can donate money in the boxes and know that the money is going to agencies and shelters that directly help the homeless, instead of worrying what a homeless individual might do with the money if given in.  So far, the boxes haven’t been that effective in controlling panhandling downtown, although they have raised about $12,000 for local agencies.

I’ll admit – I’m torn on this issue.  My entire career has involved working on inner-city poverty issues.  I generally think a better use of the money is to give to the agencies, rather than the individual.  That being said, there have been several times in which I have given coats, gloves, umbrellas, food and other needed items to the individuals I encounter on the street corners.  I don’t always stop, and I never give money, but my heart still breaks sometimes when I see these individuals – even though I know that many suffer from addiction and some even are lying. 

So my question to you this week is, “How do you respond to requests from homeless individuals?  Would you be more likely to give money to an individual or an agency?  What should the government’s response to America’s homeless problem be?”  Answers are due no later than Wednesday, September 10^th, 2014.  You must answer all question to earn full credit.

Crisis in Iraq

As I mentioned in a previous post, several weeks ago President Obama authorized airstrikes against ISIS – an al-Qaeda offshoot that has been on a terrorist campaign throughout Syria and Iraq.  ISIS has been carrying out mass executions, placing heads on fence posts and imposing harsh religious restrictions all in an effort to gain an Islamic state governed by a religious figurehead.  You may have recently seen the public online broadcast of the beheading of American journalist James Foley.  Seriously horrible stuff – and it gets even worse.  Consider these numbers as reported by the Huffington Post:

• 1,922 – The number of people killed in Iraq in June, making it the deadliest month since May of 2007.  A majority were civilian.
• 30,000 – 50,000 – The number of militants now fighting with ISIS.
• $2 billion – The approximate value of ISIS cash and assets after looting hundreds of millions of dollars from Iraqi banks.
• 0 – the number of openly practicing Christians thought to be left in Mosul after ISIS made Christianity punishable by death.

Now I’m not one to condone violence, by us or by them.  While I support our troops and the men and women who have sacrificed so much for our country, I’ve never thought the Afghanistan and Iraq wars were going to end terrorism.  I’m not sure what the answer is, but I generally believe that violence just results in more violence. That being said, the nightly news is starting to sounds more like a recap of a Games of Thrones episode, and I know something must be done.

So, my question to you this week is, “How should the United States handle the ISIS crisis in Iraq?  Would you support military action, including sending more troops?  Does the U.S. have a responsibility to end the violence?”  You must answer all questions to earn full credit. Answers are due no later than Wednesday, September 3^rd.  Have a happy and safe Labor Day weekend! 

They Say It's Your Birthday!

It's my birthday too!  Those of you who know me, know I'm a big believer in giving back.  I hope to leave the world a little better than I found it.  Last year on my birthday, I had just returned from my mission trip in Nicaragua.  While I was there, working to get people access to clean water became an important issue for me.  So for my birthday, my friends all donated to build a well in Africa and give hundreds of people in the local village clean water.

Yesterday, I was nominated by my sister to take the ALS ice bucket challenge.  You've probably seen this challenge, which has gone viral in recent weeks and already raised over $12 million for ALS research.  Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), often referred to as "Lou Gehrig's Disease," is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. Motor neurons reach from the brain to the spinal cord and from the spinal cord to the muscles throughout the body. It's basically like being buried alive - your muscles stop working, but your brain stays fully functional. ALS is terminal and there is no cure.

My grandmother had ALS.  It is a horrible, awful disease that no one should have to go through.  So, I have gladly accepted my sister's challenge.  I will be completing my ice bucket challenge tonight in class. There is no better way I could think of than to end my birthday by honoring my grandmother and the thousands of other people suffering from this disease. 

So, in light of it being my birthday, I will go easy on you this week.  I would like to know, "What causes do you support?  What issue is important to you and why?"  Answers are due no later than Wednesday, August 27th, 2014.  If you would like to donate or learn more about ALS, you can go here: www.alsa.org   Also - stay tuned to the blog as I will be posting a video of me accepting my ice bucket challenge later this week!

Oh Captain, My Captain!

Shortly after I posted last week’s blog, President Obama authorized air strikes against ISIS militants in Iraq.  I planned on blogging about it this week, and in fact had even written the post.  Then I heard about the unfortunate passing of Robin Williams.  I know the situation in Iraq is important.   In no way do I intend this post to indicate its insignificance. But I’ve blogged many times about terrorism, and the passing of Williams hit too close to home.

Mr. Keating, Williams’ character from the movie Dead Poets Society is my teaching idol.  When I first started teaching, I didn’t know what methods worked and what didn’t work.  I knew I loved political science, but I wasn’t sure I could teach it.  I just knew that I wanted to inspire students to be different – to care about the world around them – to question everything - to march to the beat of their own drum and make their own way in the world. In short, I wanted to be Mr. Keating.  The movie also made me take notice of Robin Williams as an actor, and I continued to love his work.

So I would’ve been sad regardless upon hearing about his death, but news of his suicide made me that much more.  Depression goes way back in my family – my great-grandfather committed suicide during the Great Depression.  My father has been diagnosed as bipolar, which for me meant growing up in a turbulent and sometimes violent household.  During college I went through my own serious bout with depression, which could’ve taken my life.  So I understand how someone so talented, who brought joy and laughter to so many, could feel so dark and isolated that he saw only one way out.  It just breaks my heart.

Which is why, in memory of Robin Williams, I am sharing my story and dedicating this post to him. Depression isn’t shameful.  It doesn’t mean you’re weak.  We must start having open and frank conversations about an illness that affects millions of people. The same day I sat down to write this post, I received the September issue of Glamour in the mail which contained an article on the psychiatric bed shortage in America (Hillary Clinton was also on the cover - #winwin). According to the article, psychiatric bed space is even lower than it was it 1850!  The number of beds available on average is 12.4 per 100,000 people, when experts recommend there should be at least 50.So my question to you this week is, “Why do you think depression and mental illness carry such a stigma in this country? What should be done to ensure quality mental health care in America?”  Answers are due no later than Wednesday, August 20^th, 2014.

If you, or anyone you know is facing depression or having suicidal thoughts or tendencies, call 1-800-273-TALK to be connected to a skilled, trained counselor 24/7. 

 

Does It Matter If You're Black or White?

This quarter I have a student doing their final project in part on the racial disparity in our prison system.  It’s an interesting topic, and I’m looking forward to hearing his presentation.  Last week, I happened to come across a short article, which graphically depicted the differences in drug use and arrests between African Americans and Caucasians.  You can check out the graphs here: http://www.upworthy.com/black-and-white-people-use-drugs-at-a-similar-rate-thats-why-the-last-2-graphs-are-so-shocking?c=ufb1

In doing my research for this post, I found the following additional statistics that made it even clearer that something is really wrong with our current justice system. From different penalties for certain drugs, to harsher sentences for certain people, it’s apparent that the racial disparity is real and only getting worse. Consider the following:

·      African Americans are six times more likely to be arrested than Caucasians.

·      1 in 3 African American males can expect to be arrested at some point in their lifetime.

·      Five times as many Caucasians use drugs compared to African Americans, yet African Americans are sent to prison for drug offenses 10 times more often.

·      African Americans and Hispanics were 58% of the prison system in 2008, but only 25 % of the U.S. population.

·      African Americans serve almost as much time in prison (58.7 months) for non-violent drug offenses than Caucasians serve (61.7 months) for violent offenses.

So my question to you this week is, “What do you think causes such a disparity?  Are police, prosecutors and judges all racists?  What can be done to change the system?”  You must answers all three questions for full credit.  Answers are due no later than Wednesday, August 13^th, 2014

Do We Care More About Wealth Or Health?

On Tuesday, I went to the doctor for a long list of things all related to preventative healthcare.  I had a physical done, and since I have asthma, that included a chest x-ray.  I also had blood drawn to test my cholesterol, thyroid and glucose levels.  My entire cost for all these procedures?  Zero.  That's right - thanks to measures in the Affordable Care Act, commonly known as Obamacare, I didn't even have my usual co-pay.  The first week's blog asked you what issues you would like to study this quarter, and Obamacare was at the top of the list.  Since this week's post coincided with my doctor's appointment, I thought this would be a great time to blog about the pros and cons of Obamacare.

You might remember not too long ago when the federal government shutdown. The main issue that caused the shutdown was that Republicans insisted any new spending bill include provisions to defund, derail or otherwise chip away at the Affordable Care Act.  You can read my thoughts and your fellow students' comments on the shutdown here: http://historicalandpoliticalissues.blogspot.com/2013/10/america-shutdown.html

The Affordable Care Act requires all Americans to have health insurance.  Republicans feel it hurts employers because it requires companies with over 50 employees to provide health insurance to their employees.  Opponents to the new law also feel it amounts to over-reaching by the federal government – essentially saying it is not the federal government’s job to mandate healthcare for all citizens - hence, the "socialist" label we discussed in class last week.

Democrats say the law will expand access to healthcare and help reign in the rising costs of healthcare coverage.  The Affordable Care Act prevents those with pre-existing medical conditions from being denied health insurance, eliminates co-pays for preventative care, and allows young adults to stay on their parents’ coverage until 26 years of age.  Supporters also say individuals who have health insurance will no longer have to indirectly pay for emergency visits from individuals who aren’t insured.

I grew up in a household that didn't have health insurance.  I've seen first hand what hospitals bills can look like when you're not covered.  However, I've also spent my career in workforce development.  I've also seen first-hand how companies are less likely to hire full-time employees because they don't want to pay the healthcare mandate.  So my question to you this week is, “What do you think of the Affordable Care Act?  Do you support it or oppose it?  What do you think is a solution to the shutdown?”  Answers are due no later than Wednesday, August 6th, 2014. 

Just for fun, check out this Jimmy Kimble video in which he goes to the street to find out if people support the Affordable Care Act or Obamacare (hint: they’re the same thing). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sx2scvIFGjE

And Though She Be But Little - She Is Fierce!

My sister is a high school science teacher, who has a young daughter.  Ever since she had my niece, we’ve both tried to make an effort not to enforce traditional gender stereotypes and to set a good example that women can be whatever they want to be.  So when I came across a video showing the effect social cues can have on a young girl, I knew I not only wanted to share it with my sister, but with all of you as well.

I’ve known for a while now that women are under-represented in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) occupations.  I always assumed most women just didn’t tend to gravitate towards those type of occupations.  It never crossed my mind that social cues were playing a role in how women thought about themselves in terms of what they could achieve.  You can watch the video that changed my thought process here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/06/24/verizon-ad-tells-parents-to-encourage-girls_n_5526236.html?ncid=fcbklnkushpmg00000046&ir=Women  

According to a recent report, “The State of Girls & Women in STEM” conducted by the National Girls Collaborative project, “girls and boys don’t differ in their abilities in math and science, but they do differ in their confidence in math and science related subjects.”  Consider the following statistics I also learned from the report:

·         Males are three times more likely to be interested in STEM college majors and careers.

·         Males make up 53% of the workforce, but 82% of engineering degrees, 82% of computer science degrees, and 81% of physic degrees.

·         Only 1:10 scientists and engineers are minority women.

·         66% of 4^th grade girls say they enjoy math and science, but only 18% major in these fields in college.

I’m sure I don’t have to tell you that most STEM occupations make higher wages than their liberal arts counterparts, and individuals in STEM occupations are more likely to climb the corporate ladder and become CEO’s.  Having less women in these occupations make it harder for us to earn comparable wages and promotions.

So my question to you this week is, “What do you think can be done to encourage young girls and women to pursue STEM majors and degrees?  Do you think social cues affect how young women feel about their own abilities?”  Answers are due no later than Wednesday, July 30^th, 2014.

Choose Your Own Adeventure!

I hope you all enjoyed a nice summer break.  It's always hard coming back to school after break. Don't get me wrong, I love teaching and being surrounded by all the crazy, creative energy that is all of you. That being said, it's still hard to get back into the grind. So for our first blog post, I'll go easy on you.

This week we started our study of the Constitution and the freedoms that make us uniquely American. You can order your own free copy of the United States Constitution from: http://www.constitutionfacts.com/index.cfm?section=bookstore&page=freeCopy.cfm

A good portion of this class will be spent discussing current events and political issues that affect our everyday lives. For this post, I would like you to tell me at least one issue that you are interested in studying. To help you out, you can look over the blog posts that we've had in the past several years to get an idea of the type of things we've covered. Many of the topics are pretty controversial and I do my best to not censor the information available to you.

So my question to you this week is, "What is one issue that you are interested in studying in this class?" Answers are due no later than Wednesday, July 23rd, 2014. I'm looking forward to a great quarter!

Your Thoughts and Feedback Are Appreciated!

Usually, I'm happy when the quarter ends, especially when there is a three week break before the next one starts.  This quarter though, I'll have to admit, I'm a little sad.  Many of you I've known for awhile, and some of you I've had for two straight quarters (shot out to the back row!), but all of you I've had for the last time. Due to a promotion I got at my other job, I've decided to only teach one class here at AI, and the class I chose is this one.  I'm blessed to have two jobs that I love.  But I'm still sad.  You never made coming to class feel like work.  You were loud, creative and funny, but I hope you also learned something along the way.  It’s been a pleasure getting to know all of you this quarter and I hope that you stay in touch, and continue to post on the blog whenever you want.

With that being said, my final question to you is, “What did you like or dislike about the class?  What could I do to make the class better?”  Answers are due no later than Wednesday, June 18th, 2014. After that, the blog will be down until class resumes next quarter. Hope all of you have a great summer break and a Happy 4th of July (one of my favorite holidays!)  To our class veterans: I loved hearing the perspective you brought to our class.  I'm in awe of you and I thank you for your service!   And I'm out.....

Have Dress Codes Gone Too Far? - Part 2

Last week, I read an article about Wasatch High School in Utah, which digitally altered students’ yearbook photos, including adding sleeves to tank tops, raising necklines, and in one case, removing a tattoo. You can check out the photos and the alterations here: http://www.aol.com/article/2014/05/29/students-upset-after-school-alters-yearbook-photos-to-show-less/20894900/.

Several students said they’ve worn these outfits on school grounds and never heard from school officials that they were violating the dress code. Students are outraged that their photos were altered without their consent, and say this is a violation of their free speech.

The Wasatch School District said students were warned images might be altered if students violated the dress code.  The dress code mentions clothing will be “modest” and include “covering shoulders, midriff, back and underwear at all times”.   

Last week, we studied free speech in class, so my question to you this week is, “Should students have the right to wear what they want to class, or does the school have the right to enforce a dress code?  Do you think the Wasatch dress code goes to far?”  Answers are due no later than Wednesday, June 11^th, 2014.

Yes, ALL Women

By now, you’ve probably all heard about Elliot Rodger, who went on a murderous rampage last weekend, killing six students from the University of California, Santa Barbara and leaving thirteen others wounded.  In an over 100-page manifesto, Rodger detailed his plan to ‘destroy everything I cannot have,” blaming the “cruelness of women” for leading to his “day of retribution.”  Unfortunately, I’ve blogged numerous times about gun violence and mass shootings, so that’s not what I’m dedicating this post to.  If you’re interested in reading any of those posts, you can use the word “shooting” in the search bar. 

Rather, what struck me about this incident was the Twitter conversation #YesAllWomen that sprung up shortly after the shooting and has continued trending all week.  The conversation centered around the fact that obviously not all men sexually abuse or kill women, but ALL women have dealt with gender discrimination, sexual harassment and/or sexual abuse.  You can check out the conversation on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/hashtag/YesAllWomen?src=tren

I found this conversation to be disheartening.  I already knew women are making less than men with the same education and skills.  I knew rapes and sexual assaults occur more frequently than any of us know, and often go unreported. And yes, I knew that women are oftentimes harassed, catcalled, and taunted just for being women, but I hadn’t really thought about the systematic, widespread culture that works against women on an everyday basis. Yes – ALL women!

So my question to you this week is two-fold: For the ladies – “Do you agree that all women face these kinds of issues? Have you had any experiences like the ones in #YesAllWomen that you would like to share?”  For the men – “Do you feel like all men get a bad rap, based off the actions of a few?  What do you think can be done to ensure equality in all aspects of life for both men and women?”  Answers are due no later than Wednesday, June 4^th, 2014.

To kick off the conversation, I’ll start!  In college, unbeknownst to me, a guy followed me home from the club one night.  When he knocked at my door, I thought it was a friend who had just dropped me off, so I opened it.  He was very drunk, and very forceful in his demands that “I wanted it and had been asking for it all night.”   Thankfully, I was able to get out of his grasp and run outside where my screams alerted my neighbors.  I’d like to think that if I had been raped that night, I would’ve instantly reported it and submitted to a rape kit, but honestly, I’m not so sure.  Perhaps I would’ve been so mentally and physically broken that I wouldn’t have had the strength to do just that.  It makes my heart hurt for all women who’ve had to endure such assaults.  Since I’ve started my professional career there have been numerous occasions in which I’ve seen gender discrimination in the workplace.  No, it hasn’t been blatant – but then again, it doesn’t have to be.  I’ve been in meetings in which as the only woman, I’ve been asked to get the coffee.  I’ve made executive decisions, and then had individuals go to my male counterpart for confirmation.  It doesn’t make me a victim – it just means I have to work that much harder to be successful.  It makes me stronger, and it makes me look for ways in which I can help other young women succeed in the workplace.  I don’t know if ALL women have faced these issues, but I know for sure, me and my friends have.