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 seemed apathetic about politics, and now you are ready to go out and change the world!  I wish all of you blessings and success in the future, and hope that you stay in touch.

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 Wednesday, December 16th, 2015.  After that, the blog will be down until class resumes next quarter. I hope you all have a peaceful and warm holiday season!

Guest Post!

A few quarters ago, I asked a fellow AI instructor Tim Vermande, to write a guest post for the blog.  It worked so well, I've asked him to do it again (thank you, Tim!) It's always nice to get a fresh perspective on things, and Tim has some really good insight and firsthand experience.  So without further ado:

Discrimination – that is, treating people differently based on factors that are not relevant to a decision – has long been considered unjust in our society. We have a variety of laws that seek to end discriminatory actions. You can’t refuse to do business with a person just because of their skin color, or refuse to hire someone because of their gender, and so on.

In World Civilization class, many people are surprised to find out how recent some of these laws are. The right of women to vote is less than one hundred years old. The rights of people of color seemed to be guaranteed in 1868, but it was only in the 1960s that any sort of effective enforcement began to be accomplished.

These are provisions we’ve become accustomed to. Over time, we learn that other measures are discriminatory. Thus we have recent interest in equal pay for equal work, equal opportunity for advancement, and even the effects of long-term debt such as student loans.  

Among the recent laws is the Americans with Disabilities Act (1990, amended 2008). It was intended to relieve both systemic discrimination, such as people being unable to physically get into a building, as well as to end unequal choices. One of the goals of this law was to get what is one of the largest groups of unemployed people into the work force. But as this article http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/02/upshot/fake-cover-letters-expose-discrimination-against-disabled.html reports, a recent test has shown that people who reported a disability were rejected for jobs at a much higher rate than others. This test is similar to others from the past, such as those using people with similar bank and family backgrounds but different skin colors or names to identify discrimination. 

A lot of questions swirl through my mind on reading this. Why do we seem to not want to judge each other as equals? Can a law really change things?  

It’s understandable that some changes take time. When a building does not have an elevator, or there are anywhere from one to thirty steps at the entrance, that’s often a difficult thing to change. But just last week I was in a newly-renovated building that had a ramp that was way too steep to get up. It’s difficult to sit by quietly while some people say that all you need is motivation or willpower when such an obstacle confronts you—especially when those people know nothing of what you’re up against.

And then I think of the wider world we live in. Generations grow up in refugee camps, and have no hope. As I finish writing this, we have word that the Paris branch of my family are safe. But what of others? Does the bell toll for all? So this question to you this week is, “What can each of us do to end discrimination, when the world is so large and there are so many differences?”

 

Giving Thanks!

Now, I think 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 grateful that I am able to get paid doing things I love to do.  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 Wednesday, December 2nd, 2015.  Please note that you have two weeks to finish this blog due to the holiday.  There will be NO class on Thursday, November 26^th! I hope all of you have a wonderful holiday full of good food, good friends and good conversation! Enjoy your break!

I Visit the Gun Range!

A few months ago, at 2:00 a.m. a man tried to break down my parents from door.  Needless to say, when they heard the commotion they bolted out of bed.  My mom stayed upstairs to call the police, and my dad went downstairs to see what the problem was.  It ended up being a very drunk college student (my parents live in Bloomington) who was just at the wrong house, but he still managed to break through the storm door and break the frame of the main door before police came.

I don’t come from a family that owns guns.  We’ve never even talked about having a gun before, but that one incident made my dad change his mind.  Within the matter of a few weeks, he had purchased a handgun and was regularly going to the gun range to target practice.  Even though I don’t think I would want one, I strongly support the Constitution and the people’s right to have guns.  Plus, it was on my bucket list to shoot one, so a few weeks ago, I went with him to target practice.

Being at the gun range was definitely out of my comfort zone.  There were lots of people, in fact lots of kids, and obviously a lot of guns.  There were also a lot of safety measures in place. What was shocking to me however, was the type of guns people were using.  I understand some people may use rifles and shotguns to hunt.  Other may be practicing with handguns for protection – but what were the snippers practicing?  Too old for military practice, I couldn’t figure out why the average American would need all the equipment necessary for being a sniper.  Maybe I’m just ignorant about guns, or maybe we’re taking this whole gun ownership a bit too far.

I was also curious how my dad had purchased his gun.  You see, my dad has a diagnosed mental health disorder and a history of violence.  It seems to me like he fits the mold for a person who probably shouldn’t have access to guns.  However, he told me there was no waiting period, no mental health checks, nothing.  He literally just walked in, and after a quick background check, purchased any gun he wanted.  Again, I support the Constitution, but I also think there should be better regulations around an industry that contributes to thousands of deaths each year – (yes, I know people kill people, not guns, but guns certainly play a role J).

 I’m sure many of you have heard about the recent home invasion, which resulted in the death of 28 year old Amanda Blackburn, a pastor’s wife, who was 12 weeks pregnant with her second child. Unfortunately, it seems every single quarter we’re faced with news stories such as these.  I’ve blogged so many times about gun violence that I’ve lost count.  If you’re interested in reading any of those posts, or your fellow student’s comments, use the word “shooting” in the search bar.  For this week, I’m interested in knowing, “Do you support or oppose gun ownership?  What do you think should be done to curb the staggering amount of gun-related deaths in this country?”  Answers are due no later than Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Every Life Matters

On our first blog post, I asked you all what you were most interested in learning about this quarter. You had many interests, but one that was mentioned repeatedly was the "Black Lives Matter" movement and police brutality.  Shortly after you responded to that post, a video went viral which depicted a South Caroline school resource officer violently arresting a student while in class.  If you didn't see the video, you can watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tq4BR5KHuqA       The officer, Deputy Ben Fields has since been fired.

The “Black Lives Matter” movement started all the way back in 2013, when George Zimmerman was acquitted of murdering Trayvon Martin, an unarmed African American teenager.  I’m sure most you are familiar with the case, but for those of you who aren’t, you can read about the case and see what your fellow students thought at the time here:  http://historicalandpoliticalissues.blogspot.com/2012/04/justice-for-trayvon.html

 The movement, which campaigns against police brutality, really gained momentum when another unarmed African American teenager, Michael Brown, was shot and killed by police in Ferguson, Missouri.  I blogged about that case too and you can read the post here: http://historicalandpoliticalissues.blogspot.com/2014/12/hands-up-dont-shoot.html

Now it seems we are regularly hearing, and in some cases actually seeing, police shooting, choking, or otherwise fatally injuring unarmed individuals, oftentimes minorities.  The “Black Lives Matter” activists highlight a long history of racial abuse and injustice towards minorities by the police.  As a result of their work, many cities are requiring police to wear body cameras, in addition to their dashboard cameras, to have a more accurate record of what transpires during these encounters. 

Another result of this movement has been the “opposition,” or those who support the police officers.  They argue that police officers put their lives on the line every day, and that many of the “victims,” were actually criminals which is why they encountered the police in the first place.

I’ll admit, I’m torn on these issues.  I was raised to respect police officers.  I have several friends and family members who are police officers.  I know they’re faced with split-second, life-changing decisions every day.  That being said, I also know that when I’ve been pulled over with my Black friends, we’ve been treated differently than we would be if I was alone in the car.  In many cases, I’ve witnessed our Constitutional rights being violated.  So, my question to you this week is, “What have been your experiences with the police?  Do you think the police often resort to violence when there are other, less volatile ways to accomplish peace?”  Answers are due no later than Wednesday, November 11th, 2015 - which is also Veteran's Day.  To al those of you who have served in our armed forces - thank you!!  You are the true American heroes!

Trick-or-Treat-or-Not

Is anyone else excited that Halloween falls on a Saturday 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 Wednesday, November 4th, 2015. Have a happy and safe Halloween!

Let's Vote!

Last week in class we discussed political parties and what each party’s platform is.  As we move into election season (am I the only one excited?!?) it will be important for you to know which party and which candidate you most closely align with.  So with that being said, this week’s blog will be a little different. 

First, I would like you to take this quiz, which will ask you about your thoughts on certain topics, and then tell you which candidate most closely matches your own viewpoints.  It also allows you to tell it how important an issue is to you. You can access the quiz here:  https://www.isidewith.com/

My question to you this week is, “Which candidate’s viewpoints did the quiz match you up with?  Did that surprise you, or were you already planning to vote for that person?”  Answers are due no later than Wednesday, October 28^th, 2015.

P.S.  If you or someone you know needs to register vote, you can register here:

https://indianavoters.in.gov/PublicSite/OVR/Introduction.aspx

Let your voice be heard!

This Is Your Brain...

I was sad to hear the news yesterday regarding Lamar Odom’s drug overdose.  Obviously I didn’t know him personally, but it still saddened me to see someone who by all accounts had everything - money, talent, love, fame – now fighting for his life due to drugs.  I’m sure I don’t have to tell you that drug addiction is a big problem in this country. Consider the following statistics:

• According to a 2012 National Survey on Drug Use & Health, 23.9 million people reported they had used illicit drugs within 1 month of the survey.


• Emergency room visits for non-medical usage of prescription drugs rose 98.4% from 2004 – 2009.


• From 1998 – 2008, drug overdoses increased 56%.


• According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, there are 23 million addicts in the United States and only 2.6 million ever seek help or treatment.


• 8.4 million people who abuse substances also suffer from at least one mental illness.

I’ve blogged before about my personal experiences with mental health issues, and the shortage of mental health beds in this country.  You can read my personal journey and your fellow students’ comments here:  http://historicalandpoliticalissues.blogspot.com/2014/08/oh-captain-my-captain.html

Drug addiction is a complex disorder, with mental health issues being just one aspect of the disease.  Since treatment for abuse and addiction is delivered using a variety of behavioral and pharmacological approaches, it can be hard to quantify the number of treatment facilities and space available, but the estimate that I could find was that there are 14,500 specialized drug treatment facilities in the United States.  14, 500 may seem like an adequate number until you realize that there are 23 million addicts!  Even you are one of the few who seek treatment; you may not be able to afford it.  Health coverage doesn’t always adequately cover treatment, which results in shorter stays for many addicts who needs months and maybe even years to fully recover.  The Affordable Care Act (commonly referred to as ObamaCare), includes parity of coverage for both mental health and substance abuse problems, which only means the demand for these services could grow even higher, resulting in a continued shortage of treatment facilities.

It’s a tough problem, and one America hasn’t done a great job of solving.  We have either taken too harsh of stance – in the case of marijuana, which is still classified as a Schedule I narcotic, along with cocaine and heroin, or we have taken too passive of a stance – as in the case of the 1980’s slogan made famous by Nancy Reagan, “Just Say No!”  I’m interested in knowing your thoughts.  So my question to you this week is, “What do you think can be done to curb America’s drug problem?  Do legalizing “lighter” drugs, like marijuana help or hurt the problem?  Should health insurance companies be mandated to cover drug rehabilitation stays, or is the individual responsible for their own addiction?”  You must answer all questions for full credit.  Answers are due no later than Wednesday, October 21^st, 2015.

 

Choose Your Own Adventure!

I hope you all enjoyed a nice 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, October 14th, 2015. I'm looking forward to a great quarter!

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 seemed apathetic about politics, and now you are ready to go out and change the world!  I wish all of you blessings and success in the future, and hope that you stay in touch.

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 Wednesday, March 23rd, 2015.  After that, the blog will be down until class resumes next quarter. Enjoy the break!

The Next Great Indy Artist

The center where I was work was recently selected for a public art display as part of the Public Collection, which exists to “improve literacy, foster a deeper appreciation of the arts, and raise awareness for educational justice in our community.”  Through a curated process, Indiana-based artists were commissioned to design unique book share stations or lending libraries that are installed in public spaces around Indianapolis.  You can read more about the process, and see what the display at my center looks like here: http://www.thepubliccollection.org/artists/phil-omalley/

Public art gives young people something to do other than hang out in the streets. It can make neighborhoods nicer, increase property values, and attract new business, which brings new jobs. People that live in nice neighborhoods, are employed, and have enough money to raise a family are far less likely to commit crimes.

According to the Arts Council of Indianapolis, public art can take a variety of forms. Historically, art that is accessible to the public has been in the form of freestanding pieces of work or objects that occupy a public space, such as sculptures and memorials. Now, in a growing number of cities functional objects such as benches, trails, bridges and manhole covers can become commissioned works by artists.

Now those of you who know me, know that I am a big believer in giving back. Whether it’s volunteering someplace, helping someone in need, or contributing something to the community, my motto has always been to try and leave the world better than I found it. So in that same spirit, my question to you this week is “What kind of public art would you create in Indianapolis if money for the project was no object? Where would it be located and what would its message be?" Think about it! Answers are due no later than Wednesday, September 16th, 2015

Every Life Matters

The “Black Lives Matter” movement started all the way back in 2013, when George Zimmerman was acquitted of murdering Trayvon Martin, an unarmed African American teenager.  I’m sure most you are familiar with the case, but for those of you who aren’t, you can read about the case and see what your fellow students thought at the time here:  http://historicalandpoliticalissues.blogspot.com/2012/04/justice-for-trayvon.html

 The movement, which campaigns against police brutality, really gained momentum when another unarmed African American teenager, Michael Brown, was shot and killed by police in Ferguson, Missouri.  I blogged about that case too and you can read the post here: http://historicalandpoliticalissues.blogspot.com/2014/12/hands-up-dont-shoot.html

Now it seems we are regularly hearing, and in some cases actually seeing, police shooting, choking, or otherwise fatally injuring unarmed individuals, oftentimes minorities.  The “Black Lives Matter” activists highlight a long history of racial abuse and injustice towards minorities by the police.  As a result of their work, many cities are requiring police to wear body cameras, in addition to their dashboard cameras, to have a more accurate record of what transpires during these encounters. 

Another result of this movement has been the “opposition,” or those who support the police officers.  They argue that police officers put their lives on the line every day, and that many of the “victims,” were actually criminals which is why they encountered the police in the first place.

I’ll admit, I’m torn on these issues.  I was raised to respect police officers.  I have several friends and family members who are police officers.  I know they’re faced with split-second, life-changing decisions every day.  That being said, I also know that when I’ve been pulled over with my Black friends, we’ve been treated differently than we would be if I was alone in the car.  In many cases, I’ve witnessed our Constitutional rights being violated.  So, my question to you this week is, “What have been your experiences with the police?  Do you think the police often resort to violence when there are other, less volatile ways to accomplish peace?”  Answers are due no later than Wednesdays, September 9^th, 2015.  I hope you all have a happy and safe Labor Day weekend!

When Women Succeed, America Succeeds

Yesterday was Women’s Equality Day, a day set aside to celebrate the passage of the 19^th Amendment on August 26^th, 2910, which granted women the right to vote.  We don’t usually hear about it too much in our history books, but countless women and their supporters marched, petitioned, faced imprisonment, and showed great courage in the struggle for women’s rights. We’ve come a long way since then, but despite all of our achievements, women still lag behind men in several key areas:

• Although the statistics vary, women make on average, 78 cents for every dollar a man earns, and it’s even lower for women of color.
• It’s estimated that the wage gap won’t close until 2058!
• Although women are now earning more Bachelor degrees than men, women with a four-year degree make an average of $930/week, while men with the same degree make an average of $1,199.
• Only 5% of Fortune 500 companies have a woman CEO.
• According to the Status of Women 2015, which looked at the best states for women in terms of jobs, healthcare, childcare, etc,) five states still earned an ‘F’ and Indiana earned a ‘D.”

We are also bombarded with society's expectations of how a woman should look, think and act.  Beauty advertisements tell us we are too wrinkly, our hair is too dull and lifeless, and our bodies are just too fat.  Television commercials say we should be focused on what detergent gets our whites cleaner, what diapers keep our kids cleaner, and what we should make for dinner tonight.  We are taught from a young age that we need to aspire to be someone else.  To hear more on this topic, stated in a better way than I could ever say it, check out this speech by activist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, made famous by Beyoncé:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hg3umXU_qWc

So my question to you this week is two-fold.  First, ladies - I would like to know "How were you affected by society's standards for women growing up?"  Guys - This isn't just a female issue.  You all have mothers, some have sisters, and many of you will have daughters one day.  So for the men, I would like to know "How you think men contribute to these standards for women?"  Second, Hillary Clinton is running for President again in 2016.  In fact, we could possibly have another female candidate running for President in the next election.  So for everyone, I would like to know, "Do you think America could handle a female President?"  Answers are due no later than Wednesday, September 1^st, 2015.

This Is My Minority Report

I didn’t realize when I traveled to New Orleans last week that the 10^th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina was just around the corner.  On August 29^th, 2005 Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast, causing over $1 billion dollars and damages, flooding over 90% of New Orleans, and ultimately killing close to 2,000 people.

Earlier this quarter, we watched a video on the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.  Although I’ve seen that video countless times, I’ll be honest when I say that I wasn’t really thinking too much about it prior to traveling there.  I knew the government had been agonizing slow in its initial response to the disaster.  Even several years later, the lack of full-scale recovery efforts was obvious, but after all this time I just assumed they were pretty much back to normal – but I was wrong.

There have been many improvements since Hurricane Katrina hit.  The levees have been repaired and improved upon, and the city claims their water pumps can now pump millions of gallons of water out of the city in a mere matter of minutes. Job growth is up, crime is down and along the 9^th Ward – where the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina was most devastating, you can see re-building going on.

That being said, what I found was a city – a most importantly a people – who have still not quite recovered.  Signs of the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina are still found everywhere – from the fading water lines you can still see on many public buildings, to the FEMA markings left on homes that designated whether or not a body had been found there.  There is literally water everywhere.  Lake Pontchartrain, which famously began draining into the city when the levees broke, is so much larger than I imagined.  It many places, the water table is just 16 inches below the ground! Almost every single native person I spoke to brought up Hurricane Katrina.  Many asked me to write my legislature and ask them to support recovery efforts.  For most of the people who had lived through Hurricane Katrina, the effects of their nightmare were still evident in the way they spoke about what life had been like before, and in the sincere fear in their eyes when they thought about the approaching hurricane season. 

New Orleans the city is older than America.  There aren’t too many cities in America that have more of our national history wrapped up within their city limits than New Orleans – certainly on par with Washington D.C. and Boston.  For a history junkie like me, it was hard to imagine our country without the multi-cultural, historic vibrancy of New Orleans.  It was also easy to see how we could lose New Orleans.  No matter how much I heard and saw about the levee improvements, I couldn’t get over the fact that we were literally on the edge of America.  The ocean is one of my favorite places on the planet, but even I couldn’t quite shake the feeling that it wasn’t “safe” to be living in New Orleans.  So my question to you this week is, “Do you think we should be investing more into the recovery in New Orleans?  If so, who should be responsible for it – the federal government (our tax dollars), or private donations?”  Answers are due no later than Wednesday, August 26th, 2015.    

Heal the World

I was disappointed last week that I was unable to post something new on the blog.  I was even more disappointed that I missed class, in which you watched the movie, The Inconvenient Truth. I have a new post all ready to go about my recent travels, but since this topic is so important to me, I decided to go ahead and post what I wanted to last week.

 When I saw this movie almost 10 years ago, it literally changed my life.  Prior to watching it, I would’ve said I support environmental-friendly measures, but to be honest, I never spent that much time thinking about it.  I didn’t litter, I love animals and I support local artists, vendors and farmers.  In my mind, that was enough…until I saw this movie.  Suddenly, I realized that climate change was happening at a much faster rate than I had ever considered.  It wasn’t something that would be happening to my grandchildren’s, grandchildren – it was something that was happening right now – in my lifetime.  I’m ashamed to say, that made all the difference in the world to me.  Immediately, I started recycling.  I began donating my time and money to environmental causes.  I started educating myself on the topic.  When I bought my first home several years ago, the first thing I did was have an environmental assessment done to find ways to lower my home’s carbon footprint.  It has become such a big issue to me, that a few years ago, I started limiting debate on the topic in the classes I teach.  Those of you who know me, know that I rarely, if ever, censor someone.  For me to come out and say publically that I would no longer accept denial of climate change as a plausible point of view in class, was a very big deal for me.  To date, it is the only topic that I have ever done that for. I believe that no other issue we discuss this quarter will have more of an impact on your lives than climate change.

Right on cue, President Obama revealed his new Clean Power Plan this past week, which is designed to cut emissions from US coal-fired power plants and to accelerate renewable energy.  The President’s plan is to cut carbon pollution by 32% by the year 2030.  Republicans and others who oppose this plan say it will cause job-loss and make us unable to compete economically with China. So, I’m interested in knowing what you think!  “Do you support or oppose the President’s Clean Power Plan?”  If you don’t know much about it – look it up!  Just for fun, since I missed your discussion – “What was one thing that you found interesting in the movie?”  You must answer both questions for full credit.  Answers are due no later than Wednesday, August 19^th. 

I Visit The Gun Range!

A few months ago, at 2:00 a.m. a man tried to break down my parents from door.  Needless to say, when they heard the commotion they bolted out of bed.  My mom stayed upstairs to call the police, and my dad went downstairs to see what the problem was.  It ended up being a very drunk college student (my parents live in Bloomington) who was just at the wrong house, but he still managed to break through the storm door and break the frame of the main door before police came.

I don’t come from a family that owns guns.  We’ve never even talked about having a gun before, but that one incident made my dad change his mind.  Within the matter of a few weeks, he had purchased a handgun and was regularly going to the gun range to target practice.  Even though I don’t think I would want one, I strongly support the Constitution and the people’s right to have guns.  Plus, it was on my bucket list to shoot one, so a few weeks ago, I went with him to target practice.

Being at the gun range was pretty shocking to me.  There were lots of people, in fact lots of kids, and obviously a lot of guns.  There were also a lot of safety measures in place. What was shocking to me however, was the type of guns people were using.  I understand some people may use rifles and shotguns to hunt.  Other may be practicing with handguns for protection – but what were the snippers practicing?  Too old for military practice, I couldn’t figure out why the average American would need all the equipment necessary for being a sniper.  Maybe I’m just ignorant about guns, or maybe we’re taking this whole gun ownership a bit too far.

I was also curious how my dad had purchased his gun.  You see, my dad has a diagnosed mental health disorder and a history of violence.  It seems to me like he fits the mold for a person who probably shouldn’t have access to guns.  However, he told me there was no waiting period, no mental health checks, nothing.  He literally just walked in, and after a quick background check, purchased any gun he wanted.  Again, I support the Constitution, but I also think there should be better regulations around an industry that contributes to thousands of deaths each year – (yes, I know people kill people, not guns, but guns certainly play a role J).

While we were on our break, I’m sure you all heard about the killing of 9 people at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina.  Unfortunately, it seems every single quarter we’re faced with news stories such as these.  I’ve blogged so many times about gun violence that I’ve lost count.  If you’re interested in reading any of those posts, or your fellow student’s comments, use the word “shooting” in the search bar.  For this week, I’m interested in knowing, “Do you support or oppose gun ownership?  What do you think should be done to curb the staggering amount of gun-related deaths in this country?”  Answers are due no later than Wednesday, August 5^th, 2015

*Please note:  I will be out of town next week, but there will still be a new blog post, so don’t forget to post!

Living Free!

From the big news about Caitlyn Jenner, to Laverne Cox posing nude for Allure magazine and on the cover of Time, there’s no denying transgender issues have risen to the forefront of what the nation’s been talking about lately. This isn’t the first time I’ve blogged about transgender issues. Way back in 2011, I watched a fascinating documentary on transgendered children.  You can ready my thoughts and your fellow student’s comments here: http://historicalandpoliticalissues.blogspot.com/2011/02/when-harry-became-hailey.html

I’m too young to remember Bruce Jenner’s Olympic glory days.  To be honest, I knew him more from his role on Keeping up with the Kardashians than I did from his athletic accomplishments.  Still, it was a bit of a shock to watch his Diane Sawyer interview in which he revealed that for “all intents and purposes” he was really a she.  Not long after, the world was introduced to Caitlyn Jenner, and all hell broke loose.

All of a sudden, it was all anyone could talk about – and talk about it they did.  There was a lot of positivity being directed her way.  She’s courageous.  She’s saving lives.  She’s beautiful.  There was also a lot of hate speech being directed towards her.  People started saying she shouldn’t be allowed around her grandchildren.  She started being subjected to comments about how she looks, rather than what her message is. There were even those who thought she shouldn’t be honored with the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the ESPY Awards. The discussion became not about how brave Caitlyn had been to come forth and tell her story, but how many other brave individuals there are in the world, which may deserve the award more.

I’ve started watching a new show on TLC called I am Jazz, about a transgendered girl who is starting high school.  I’ve only seen one episode so far, but it’s already apparent that Jazz being transgendered means she faces certain challenges. What bathroom will she use at school?  What should she wear to a pool party?  Should she increase her levels of hormone blockers to prevent puberty from setting in?  Teenage years can be hard enough, without all this added pressure. Not to mention the bullying and harassment she faces. In fact, while the show was taping, in front of Jazz’ mother, two teenage boys openly called her a freak. It made me sad to realize it’s often what drives transgendered youth to take their own lives.

So, I’m interested to know what you think!  “Do you think all this talk about transgendered issues, helps or hurts our country?  Would you allow your child to live openly as transgendered while they were still a minor?”  Answers are due no later than Wednesday, July 29^th, 2015.

Choose Your Own Adventure!

I hope you all enjoyed a nice summer break, despite all the rain.  It's always hard coming back to school after the three week  breaks. 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 even though we have a lot to talk about this quarter, 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,
Wednesday, July 22nd 2015. I'm looking forward to a great quarter!

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.  Next quarter, for the first time ever, I will not be teaching this class.  I'm not sure how often I'll be posting on the blog, but at the very least, I'll have an open forum for students to post, check-in and stay in touch!

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 Wednesday, March 25th, 2015.  After that, the blog will be down until class resumes next quarter. Enjoy the break!

Who's Your Daddy?

Last week, we had a good discussion regarding marriage equality, and other rights denied to homosexuals in class.  We also covered the Full Faith and Credit Clause earlier this quarter. You are literally living history when it comes to marriage equality.  President Obama became the first President in history to go on the record in support of marriage equality.  After decades of avoiding the issue, the Supreme Court is heard two cases in 2013 that drastically affected our country’s stance on the issue. For this week’s blog I would like to expand on that issue and discuss adoptions by homosexual couples.

Adoptions laws differ from state to state. Mississippi and Utah have banned same sex couples from adopting. Other states allow second parent adoption by law. Second parent adoption is when one person adopts the biological child of his partner. These states include: Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, D.C., Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Vermont. There are 16 states that definitely joint adoptions by gay couples, which includes: Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, D.C., Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington.  

Opponents of same sex adoptions, often say that children being raised with same-sex parents will have psychological issues, be bullied or teased at school, have unclear gender role models and perhaps even become gay or lesbian themselves. Supporters of adoptions by same sex couples include the National Adoption Center, the American Medical Association, the American Psychological Association and the American Pediatrics, all of which state that adoptions by gay or lesbian couples do not negatively affect children.

The issue of same sex adoption is one that inspires debate across America and will probably be left up to the courts to decide, however one thing is clear: we all want what is best for our children. So my question to you this week is, “What do you think of same sex adoptions? Why do you feel the way you do?” Answers are due by Wednesday, March 18th, 2015.  Just for fun, here's a video I saw recently that I thought proved a great point that love has no boundaries: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cen7NhfpMVE 

The V-word Debate

I don’t remember when I first started hearing about the controversy regarding whether or not vaccines cause autism.  I know when I heard Jenny McCarthy say she believed vaccines caused her son to develop autism, it seemed plausible to me.  I’ve never been one to trust the media, big corporations, the government or the status quo.  I also already believed that the pesticides, preservatives, antibiotics and dyes that contaminate our food supply cause higher rates of allergies, including my own.  So the theory of vaccines as somehow harmful wasn’t that much of a stretch for me.  I saw this video narrated by Rob Schneider and it just seemed to confirm what I already thought. Big pharmaceutical companies were putting profits before health and being shielded from penalties by the U.S. government.  You can watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xv_IaLHwgAQ

My sister generally shares my political views, and certainly agrees with my views on the environment and our food supply. So when my sister became pregnant, I asked her if she planned to vaccinate the baby.  She looked at me like I was the dumbest person on the planet before informing me that of course she was going to vaccinate her! You see, my sister is also a scientist. She knows that not vaccinating your kids helps spread diseases, many of which have been dormant or close to eradication for years. I’m no scientist and even I know, in fact all doctors and researchers know, that vaccines have saved thousands, perhaps even millions of lives. The National Institute of Health, the Institute for Medicine, and the Center for Disease Control have all stated that there is no link between vaccines and autism.

As I mentioned last week, I’m leaving for Uganda in a few months, and guess what I’ll be doing before I go?  That’s right – getting all the necessary vaccines I need, so I don’t get sick.  Still….the argument against vaccines just sounds compelling.  So, my question to you this week is, “Do you think there is a link between vaccines and autism? Why do you think this has become such a controversy?”  Answers are due no later than Wednesday, March 11^th, 2015.  Some of you might have seen Jimmy Kimble speak in favor of vaccines on his show.  Just for fun, check out his response to the hateful backlash he received after he did so: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2mdwmpLYLY

This Little Light of Mine

Those of you who know me, know that I'm a big believer in giving back.  Whether it's volunteering someplace, helping someone in need, or contributing something to the community, my motto has always been to try and leave the world a little better than I found it.  Which is why I'm both humbled and honored to announce that I have been accepted to join a mission team traveling to Restoration Gateway (RG) in Northern Uganda in late May!

To say I'm excited would be an understatement.  Out teams' primary role will be to run a camp for 100+ orphans that live at RG during their term's break.  We are eager to love and serve these kids by providing fun and solid programming for them, as well as serve and encourage the long-term missionaries that live at RG.  If you are interested in learning more about RG and seeing where I'll be living for a few weeks, you can go here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fXNyld9eBs

So in light of the good news I've been blessed with this week, I'll go easy on you.  My question for you this week is, "What causes or issues do you support?  How are you making your corner of the world a little brighter?"  Answers are due no later than Wednesday, March 4th, 2015.

Want to start changing the world on Spring Break?  You can find out more information on the opportunity Olive spoke about in class last week here: http://www.alternativebreaks.org/fergusonasb/

Movin' On Up!

Last week in class, I was asked about gentrification at the end of class, so I decided to make it this week’s blog topic.  What is gentrification you might be wondering?  Webster’s defines it as “The process of renewal and rebuilding accompanying the influx of middle-class or affluent people into deteriorating areas, which often displaces poorer residents.” 

The reality is, you don’t need to read Webster’s to see find out how gentrification works – you can see the effects right here in Indianapolis.  According to Governing: State & Localities, gentrification in Indianapolis has quadrupled since 2000.  Areas like the Wholesale District which suffered from high unemployment rates, and abandoned buildings during the Great Depression is now a premier entertainment and cultural district, home to the Indianapolis Symphony  Orchestra, Bankers Life Fieldhouse and Local Oil Stadium.  Gentrification of Massachusetts Avenue in the 1990’s propelled the area from one of squalor to one of the city’s most fashionable addresses.  It may seems as though gentrification creates more livable cities, safer streets and more economic opportunities – and to a certain extent it does.

However, there is a downside to gentrification which displaces poorer residents, usually to less hospitable neighborhoods.  Oftentimes, large corporations inject large amounts of financing into a city to refurbish an area for the affluent, while neglecting the poorer resident’s needs.  Property taxes soar, the wealthy move in, and the poorer residents get pushed out to neighborhoods that see more crime, with failing schools, and crumbling public facilities.

Many of you, like myself have enjoyed the effects of gentrification so I’m interested to know where you stand on the issue.  My question to you this week is, “Do you think gentrification helps or hurts a city?  Is it the government’s job to work to curb the effects of gentrification for poorer residents, or is it just an accepted result of being poor?”  Answers are due no later than Wednesday, February 24^th, 2015.

 

I'm a Survivor!

A couple of weeks ago, I like many Americans, was watching the Super Bowl.  This year, in the midst of all the funny and big budget commercials was a public service announcement about domestic violence.  They played an actual 9-1-1 call during the commercial, which you can watch here: http://www.cnn.com/2015/02/02/us/super-bowl-ad-911-call/index.html

This past Sunday I watched the Grammys (as I’m writing this post I’m realizing I watch too much television!)  They too had a domestic violence victim speak about her experiences.  What was even more unusual was that President Obama appeared via satellite to also speak about domestic violence.  You can watch what he had to say here: http://www.usatoday.com/videos/news/nation/2015/02/08/23101885/

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.

I’ve shared in the past that I grew up in a violent home.  Domestic violence has affected the woman that I am today more than any other influence in my life, short of my faith.  My heart breaks for the thousands of families who are suffering through abuse.  So my question to you this week is, “Why do you think domestic abuse often goes unreported?  Should there be harsher penalties for abusers?  You must answers all questions for full credit.  Answers are due no later than Wednesday, February 18^th, 2015. 

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.

 

 

Guest Post!

I’m super excited this week!  For the first time in the six years I’ve been operating this blog – I’m hosting a guest blogger!  This week’s post comes to you directly from Tim Vermande – which many of you may have had as a teacher right here at the Art Institute of Indianapolis.  We are fortunate to have Tim speak about his real-life experiences with the Americans with Disabilities Act and I want to publically thank him for sharing his story and for agreeing to write this post!  And now without further ado….

Y’all recently read a blog post about customs in conflict in Saudi Arabia. I’d like to ask you to think about another area of conflict today, one that is closer to home. The Americans with Disabilities Act is twenty-five years old this year. It provides legal protection for a variety of civil rights related to people with disabilities.

The Census Bureau states that 1 in 5 people live with a disability. This number may be low—many people do not want to consider themselves “disabled.” Sometimes this is because a chronic illness, such as asthma, does not interfere with life most of the time, or can be controlled through medication. Similarly, conditions such as poor eyesight, readily corrected with glasses or contacts, don’t cross our radar as disabilities. And some people just don’t want to be labeled that way because of perceived social stigma.

The ADA has meant a lot to me. I was a difficult birth (will it surprise those of you know me to find out that I have been difficult?) and then apparently contracted polio. When I was older, I was in accident that injured my back. Yet I have been a photographer (including for several fire departments), photo lab manager, and have attended college and graduate school. Now I teach at the famous Art Institute of Indianapolis (and the less-famous United Theological Seminary). These days, people who do such things get media coverage that goes viral on Facebook or YouTube. But many of us were doing these things long before they became fashionable.

Some of these activities have been a struggle. I ended up attending a local college, even though several top-ranked colleges sought me out—but that was before the ADA, and the invitations disappeared when I asked about stairs and the like. Even after the ADA was passed, schools dragged their feet on physical accessibility. One listed the ability to carry 50 pounds up a flight of stairs as an essential part of being a professor (and thus not subject to accommodations). Another wouldn’t take me on to teach history because the position also required coaching football (even though that wasn’t stated in the announcement).

And it continues. As I’ve often remarked in my classes, laws just show the points of need—they don’t change hearts. And, something I’ve mentioned in my classes: there are often unintended consequences. I have an example of each that we’d like to ask you to comment on.

The first is with businesses that continue to be slow about accommodations—or don’t have their heart in it. You may have heard of “serial” lawsuits, where a lawyer and person with a disability file several lawsuits in a particular geographical area. While these are presented as overblown or picky, how would you feel if you went to board an airplane and were either denied boarding (after paying for a non-refundable ticket), forced into a seat assignment that you can’t physically get to, or find that your wheelchair was damaged by handlers, and the airline refuses to pay for the repairs? Or, rather than being seated in a convenient front area of a restaurant, you’re herded through a maze-like trail to a seat next to the take-out door and kitchen? Or you need to use the restroom and can’t get through the door? Just to finish the sequence, then your shuttle comes—and you have to crawl in because it doesn’t have a lift. All of these have happened to me. And it’s been 25 years—will a police officer let you out of a ticket because the speed limit changed 25 years ago?

An emerging problem is with service animals. The ADA provides that service animals may go anywhere their human does. Yet I hear every week of someone who is denied entry to some business because of their dog (and by the way, the law does specify dogs, you can’t claim a snake or rat as a service animal).

Yet what happens if I should someday need a service dog (they can pull wheelchairs, pick things up, carry bags, and so on) and one of you in the class is allergic to dogs? Or, since no documentation or certification of status is required, what if someone buys a fake service dog vest on the internet and shows up in class?

Managing conflict and dealing with unexpected consequences are important skills in life. How can we best handle them?

 

Talking Heads

This week the President and First Lady traveled to Saudi Arabia to pay their respects to Saudi King Abdullah who passed away last week.  While there, Michelle Obama caused controversy by not wearing a headscarf.  Some Saudi officials stopped to shake her hand, while other avoided a handshake, but nodded to her as they passed.  More than 1,500 tweets using the hashtag #MichelleObamaUnveiled went out during the ceremony, many of which criticized the First Lady for showing her bare head.

In Saudi Arabia, women are expected to cover their heads and wear loose black robes in public, although exceptions are made for foreigners.  Many women cover their hair and face with a veil known as the niqab.  Saudi Arabia has many additional restrictions on women as part of their strict interpretation of Islamic Shariah law known as Wahhabism.  Women and men are strictly segregated in public places.  Women are banned from driving, and are required to get permission from male relatives to travel, get married, enroll in higher education, and undergo certain medical procedures.

Although Michelle Obama didn’t cover her head, she certainly wasn’t the first American First Lade to fail to do so.  There has been a long tradition of American women not covering up in Saudi Arabia.  In fact, many female foreign officials from around the world don’t cover their heads when visiting Saudi Arabia. 

There has been much conversation this week about this practice, and I’m interested to know what you think.  In a few months, I am hoping to travel on a mission trip to Uganda.  There is a good chance I will have a flight layover in Saudi Arabia.  On one hand, I respect other people’s culture.  I have no problem covering my head in certain places deemed “holy,” and adhering to a more modest dress code when I’m traveling to parts of our world that require it.  On the other hand, I strongly support feminism both here and around the world.  As a feminist, I believe all women should have the same economic, social and political rights as their male counterparts.  In short, I respect a women’s right to choose whether or not she wants to dress a certain way. 

So my question to you this week is, “Do you think American women should adhere to other countries strict dress codes when traveling there?  Is it disrespectful to other cultures to forgo their dress code, or is it a sign of female empowerment?  Do you think Michelle Obama was trying to make a political statement with her attire, or lack thereof?  You must answer all questions for full credit.  Answers are due no later than Wednesday, February 4^th, 2015.

Universal Community College

First of all, let me start by saying it was fun reading your blog responses from last week.  From equality for women, minorities or the LGBT community, to the erosion of our civil liberties – from domestic issues like gun control and abortion to our global terror threats – you were interested, and that’s all I ask.  We’re going to have a fun quarter!

With that being said, the State of the Union was on this week.  The State of the Union address is a time for the President to inform Congress and the American people about….well, the State of the Union.  As expected, President Obama touched on many different priorities including his new proposal to cut the cost of community college to zero.  That’s right – zero!  As in two years of community college, totally free. In case you missed it, you can watch the full address here:  http://www.whitehouse.gov/sotu

I’ve blogged before about the rising costs of college tuition and  how much I’m in debt because of my education.  You can read my thoughts and your fellow students’ comments here: http://historicalandpoliticalissues.blogspot.com/2012/04/i-owe-my-soul-to-university.html Obama’s plan would provide two years of community college to any student who earns a C+ average, attends at least ½ time and makes progress towards a degree.  The credits earned could subsequently transfer to a public four year university.  As Obama noted, 40% of America’s college students are attending community college, and this plan would make the dream of a college education much more affordable for the thousands of students who enter their professional lives loaded with debt.

Critics of the plan note that community college is already relatively affordable through a variety of tax breaks and government grants.  The plan also doesn’t address the staggering housing and transportation fees that can also come along with attending college.  Opponents of the plan also point out that many of America’s public K-12 schools are suffering budget cuts, and that education spending should be prioritized towards getting kids off to a better start. 

I suspect that many of you, like me, will finish your college career swamped with student loan debt.  So my question to you this week is, “What do you think of Obama’s plan?  Is it good for students or is the money better spent elsewhere?”  Answers are due no later than Wednesday, January 28^th, 2015.

P.S.  Although I loved reading your responses last week, there were some of you who answered by saying that you had no answer, or just weren’t interested. I gave you a break for the first week – if you’re not interested in anything that concerns you, fair enough.  Going forward, you’ll need to answer the questions or risk losing points.  I think you’ll find that you have an opinion after all!  J