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.