Your Thoughts and Feedback Are Appreciated

Well another quarter has come and gone! This is kind of bittersweet for me in that, for the first time in 10 years, I will not be teaching next quarter.  I made the decision because I have been awarded a Human Service Professional Renewal Grant by the Lilly Endowment.  Through my renewal, I will be traveling to Alaska and Europe - and therefore, will not be able to commit to teaching next quarter.  I'm excited about my upcoming travels, but I'm sad to leave a job I love and all of you.I have enjoyed getting to know all of you and hearing your opinions in class!  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, June 14, 2017.  After that, the blog will be down until class resumes in the Fall! I wish all of you a happy and safe summer break!!

You Are Beautiful - Part II

I’ve always been consciously aware of society’s pressure on young girls to be thin, pretty and popular.  As a young teen, I pored over beauty magazines and strove to match the images I saw in them.  “Will I ever have those curves? Will my skin ever be that clear?  Will my hair ever have that much volume?” Finally, I grew up, learned to love myself and learned how to support other women of all shapes and sizes.  

So I was disappointed to read an article yesterday, regarding the controversy around a billboard for the upcoming animated film 'Red Shoes& the 7 Dwarfs' which features a Snow White who is "no longer beautiful." The ad depicted a tall, thin woman in red heels next to a shorter, heavier version of herself holding her heels. The tagline promoted a Snow White who was no longer beautiful.  You can check it out for yourself here: http://www.teenvogue.com/story/snow-white-spoof-fat-shaming

The billboard immediately sparked outrage from people who thought is supported body shaming. It implies that the plumper version of Snow White isn’t beautiful because she’s fat.  The trailer for the movie posted on YouTube only back’s up their view.  It shows dwarfs hiding in Snow White’s cottage, secretly watching her undress (which is a whole separate problem than the body shaming).  As they watch her, the dwarfs are visibly excited as the slender Snow White disrobes, but when she takes of her shoes, the previously skinny woman is suddenly fatter.  The dwarfs react in horror, implying that seeing a fat woman naked is gross or displeasing, but seeing the skinny woman is exciting a good.  Again, the movie appears to be saying fat is ugly.  

For their part, movie producers say the film's synopsis promises an empowering message in which Snow White "learns not only to accept herself, but to celebrate who she is, inside and out." The company behind the film, Locus Corporation, has apologized. A spokesperson for the company stated, "…Locus Corporation wishes to apologize regarding the first elements of our marketing campaign (in the form of a Cannes billboard and a trailer), which we realize has had the opposite effect from that which was intended. Our film, a family comedy, carries a message designed to challenge social prejudices related to standards of physical beauty in society by emphasizing the importance of inner beauty."

Body shaming and negative comments they receive can have a devastating impact on a young girl’s self-esteem. Cases of anorexia and bulimia have been found in girls as young as 5.  The media bombards us with images of stick-thin models and airbrushed actresses that put even more pressure of girls to achieve the “ideal image”. Consider these startling statistics from a recent survey of girls ages 12-18, by Sugar magazine:

• 78% said they worry about their weight
• 1:5 have been criticized by a family member for “being too big"
• 51% said their parents have hurt their feelings talking about their size

So, my question to you this week is, “What do you think can be done to ensure young girls are raised with a healthy body image?” Ladies, I would love to hear how and if you were affected by this as young girls.  Guys, I would like to know how you think men contribute to what women think the ideal body image is. Answers are due no later than Wednesday, June 7^th, 2017.

Pomp and Circumstance and Protests

This past Sunday, our former Governor and current Vice President Mike Pence, returned to Indiana to give the commencement speech at Notre Dame University.  When he began to speak, approximately 100 of the 3,171 graduates got up quietly from their seats and left the stadium in protest of Pence's policy positions.  Since Sunday, there has been quite a debate about whether the students were engaging in their right to free speech, or being disrespectful.

The protest had been planned for weeks and both university and campus police were made aware of the demonstration prior to the ceremony.  Students began planning the protest after learning of Pence's selection as their commencement speaker, due in part to the numerous controversies that surrounded Pence's time as Governor, including the religious freedom bill that many felt allowed discrimination against LGBTQA Hoosiers.

Supporters of the protest, which included several Notre Dame faculty members stated that the students had a right to exercise their free speech rights.  Opponents argued that the students disrupted the graduation ceremony for others, and that they were disrespectful to their fellow graduates, faculty and civil leaders.  For his part, Pence did not seem flustered by the demonstration and ironically spoke of Notre Dame as a "vanguard of freedom f expression and the free exchange of ideas."

Some of you will be graduating in just a few weeks and I'm interested in knowing how you all feel.  "Do you commend or condemn the protest?  Would you be ok with this kind of demonstration taking place during your graduation ceremony, or do you think graduations are not the place to exercise your rights to free speech?"  Answers are due no later than Wednesday, May 31st, 2017.

A Photo Is Worth 1,000 Words

I was shocked to read an article last week regarding the magazine LensCulture, which recently posted a photo of what appeared to be a man raping a girl who looks like a young teenager. The magazine — which has nearly a million Facebook followers — was using the photo to promote a photo competition. The caption said the girl is 16 and is being forced to have sexual interactions with a "client" in the red-light district of Kolkata, India.

The girl is on her back, looking up at the camera, with a naked man on top of her. Her face is in full view. Her identity is not concealed. There are two men in the room with this young girl. There's the 'client,' paying to have sex with her; and behind the client, stands the photographer, who has been paid, through grant money, to take photographs of the girl being used.

There has been a huge outcry since the photo was published. Based on the content of the photo and its caption, the photo violated UNICEF's ethical guidelines on reporting on children by showing her face, which makes her identifiable, according to human rights activists. According to UNICEF, you should "Always change the name and obscure the visual identity of any child who is identified as a victim of sexual abuse or exploitation." 

Amid a barrage of protests from readers, photojournalists and human rights activists, LensCulture took down the photo hours after it was posted. But the magazine defended the photo and its photographer, Souvid Datta: “We'd like to emphasize that we believe the work of the photographer was carried out with great ethical care and in close collaboration with the subject portrayed; by contrast, our own posting was hasty and presented the situation without proper context.” Datta has been a highly-regarded photojournalist since starting his career in 2013. He has won several prestigious awards, including ones from Getty Images and Magnum Photos. And his work has appeared in The New York Times and National Geographic. Datta also defended the image of the girl stating in part, “She asked me to photograph this interaction — fully aware of my intention to publish this story widely in an attempt to create constructive awareness ... Where some see the image, and point to the anonymity of the client and apparently undignified exposure of an underage girl, I see the astounding resilience of a young woman who takes ownership of her reality — unlawful, deplorable and bleak though it is — and determines to be more than what her circumstances have forced upon her. I see a woman who wants to speak directly to viewers, saying if you actually want to understand my perspective "then look into my eyes and see what I feel."

I’ll admit, my first reaction to this story was one of outrage and horror. If that was one of my family members, I wouldn’t want it published. Then I realized that many times throughout history, a photograph has been the catalyst for change.  It can call attention to an issue in the way that no words can.  In fact, I encourage you to make your own political images, and push the boundaries of what’s acceptable. You are all producers of content and many of you are photographers.  You know the power of an image.  So, my question to you this week is, “What do you think of the magazine’s decision to publish photos such as the one described?  Do you think it helps or hurts the cause of human sex trafficking?” Answers are due no later than Wednesday, May 24^th, 2017

Slapped By the Truth or Kissed with a Lie?

I had planned to blog about healthcare this week.  However, in the current political climate, it seems there is breaking news almost every day.  So, I decided to go with recent events – even more recent than the healthcare legislation.  This week, President Trump fired FBI Director, James Comey after the Justice department, and more specifically, the Deputy Attorney General recommended it.  According to the recommendation, Comey needed to be fired because of the way he mishandled the investigation into Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server during her tenure as Secretary of State.

To many, it seems suspicious that Trump waiting this long before firing Comey, if the true reason was because of how he handled the investigation of Clinton which was going on thoughout the campaign season.  Especially considering that in March, the FBI publically announced it was conducting an investigation into the possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia prior to the election.

For his part, Trump has denied the firing had anything to do with the FBI’s investigation of his campaign, and calls reports that his campaign colluded with the Russians “fake news.”  Democrats are calling for a special, independent prosecutor to handle the investigation, however that seems unlikely.  A special prosecutor would need to be appointed by the Attorney General, Jeff Sessions, who has already recused himself from anything related to the investigation because he admitted he did have conversations with the Russia Ambassador to the United States, Sergey Kislyak.  That leaves the responsibility of appointing a special prosecutor to the Deputy Attorney General, but he is the one who recommended Comey’s firing in the first place.

US intelligence already accused Moscow of orchestrating multiple cyberattacks against Democratic political organizations and leaking stolen info during the campaign season in an attempt to sway the election in Trump’s favor.  Trumps initial appointment for the National Security Advisor, Mike Flynn, also had to resign after it was revealed he too had communications with the Russian ambassador that he failed to disclose to Vice President Pence.

All this talk sounds so much like a spy novel; I have a hard time believing this is really our country’s political news.  So, my question to you this week is, “What do you think about the investigation into the Trump campaign’s Russia ties.  Do you think something nefarious occurred, or is the media sensationalizing the story?  Do you think we should appoint a special, independent prosecutor, or should we let the FBI continue their investigation?”  Answers are due no later than May 18^th, 2018

Black Lives Matter...But To Who?

It has been a long week.  Most of you know I was traveling this past week to Baltimore.  Baltimore’s murder rate has been on the rise, so much so that the mayor has requested help from the FBI because the Baltimore police can no longer control the high rates of violent crime.

Meanwhile, in Texas, Jordan Edwards, an unarmed, African-American 15 year old, was shot and killed by police.  The officers had received a call about a teenage house party where they believed under-age drinking was occurring.  When the police arrived, the teens did what many teens would do in that situation – they scattered and tried drive off.  The police first said they saw a vehicle reversing aggressively at them; however body camera evidence later showed the vehicle was driving away from the officers.  Officer Ray Oliver fired into the car of teenagers, killing Jordan with a shot to the head.  Bloodwork showed none of the teens had been drinking at the time of the incident.  I’ve blogged far too frequently about the killing of un-armed African American men.  You can read my thoughts and your fellow students’ comments here: http://historicalandpoliticalissues.blogspot.com/search?q=trayvon and here: http://historicalandpoliticalissues.blogspot.com/2014/12/hands-up-dont-shoot.html and here: http://historicalandpoliticalissues.blogspot.com/2016/07/americas-black-and-blue.html

I was raised to respect police officers.  I have friends and family that serve in the police department.  I understand that they often have to make split-second, life-changing decisions.  That being said, we can’t ignore the history of racism in this country, particularly within the justice system.  We all have biases – perhaps those biases come into play more when you’re faced with high stress situations.  I don’t have the answers, but it breaks my heart to lose so many young men to senseless violence.

So my question to you this week is, “What do you think can be done to ease the tensions between African-Americans and police?  How can we begin to find healing after incidents such as those mentioned above?”  Answers are due no later than Wednesday, May 10^th 2017

In A Galaxy Far, Far Away....

This past weekend, scientists from all over the world, marched to celebrate science and the role it plays in everyday lives. The goals of the marches and rallies were to emphasize that science upholds the common good and to call for evidence-based policy in the public's best interests.  A few months ago, I had the opportunity to see the movie Hidden Figures which tells the story of Katherine G. Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson - brilliant African-American women working at NASA, who served as the brains behind one of the greatest operations in history: the launch of astronaut John Glenn into orbit, a stunning achievement that restored the nation's confidence, turned around the Space Race, and galvanized the world. 

I’ve always enjoyed learning about science, and particularly space.  My father had an amateur interest in astronomy and was always waking us up in the middle of the night to watch a meteor shower, see a comet or otherwise gaze at some celestial body that was visible enough for us to see and enjoy. He did this so often, it motivated my sister to became an Earth Space science teacher.

Which is why I was amazed to find out a few months ago that NASA has discovered a single star that is home to 7 Earth-like planets!  I’m not imaginative enough to believe in aliens out to invade the world, but I do believe there could be life on other planets – even if “life” just means amoebas or vegetation. 

NASA budget has been the source of conflict over the years, with some saying we’re spending too much and others saying it’s not enough.  For fiscal year 2017, NASA’s budget is 18.5 billion. That might seem like a big number, but it’s actually just .4% of our $4.147 trillion budget.  To put in in perspective, the Department of Defense’s budget for the same fiscal year is $523.8 billion – or 12.6% of our federal budget.  NASA has launched no new flight crews since 2012, and we currently pay Russia to transport our crews to the International Space Station.

So, my question to you this week is, “Do you think we should fund NASA at a higher level and invest in space exploration, or is the money better spent right here at home?  What are the benefits of space exploration?”  You must answer both questions for full credit.  Answers are due no later than Wednesday, May 3rd, 2017.  May the force be with you!

P.S.  If you haven’t seen Hidden Figures yet, I highly recommend it. This visionary trio crossed all gender and racial lines to inspire future generations of scientists to dream big!

Earth Without Art Is Just "Eh"

Earth Day is this Sunday, April 22^nd. Earth Day began in 1970, following the 1962 publication of Silent Spring, by Rachel Carson.  Carson’s book raised awareness on our country’s use of pesticides and their pollution of the environment, and she is often credited as starting the modern environmental movement.  Earth Day originally started as a day of education about environmental issues, and has expanded ever since.  Since 1990, Earth Day has been celebrated globally, with 140 nations participating. This year the campaign is dedicated to an ambitious goal - to achieve global climate and environmental literacy by 2020.  This would mean that all citizens of the planet - including our own President, would understand climate change and it's unprecedented threat to our planet.

Those of you who know me, know that I like to live as environmentally-friendly as possible. I recycle, use re-usable bags and containers, and try to cook with as much local food as possible. Buying my first home opened up new ways of living more sustainably.  In addition to using compact fluorescent light bulbs inside the home, I have been able to install a photocell that harvests solar energy to run my outdoor lights. IPL came out to install low-flow shower and faucet aerators (which they do for free as part of the Energize Indiana Program). I've also been able to purchase 100% of my energy use in the home through locally sourced wind power.To me, it has become a lifestyle and I’m always looking for new ways to use less.

In a few weeks, we will be discussing climate change and its effects on the planet. I know there’s a lot of controversy around the issue, but quite frankly, it's not open to debate. This is one of the biggest issues your generation may have to face. So, this week I would like you to first take this Carbon Footprint Quiz:  http://www.footprintnetwork.org/resources/footprint-calculator/   Make sure you take the detailed version.  At the end of the quiz, it will tell you how many planets we would need, if everyone lived like you.  Disappointingly, it said we would need 3-7 planets if everyone lived like me!  I guess I have more work to do than I thought.  For your post this week, I would like you to tell everyone your "score" or how many planets we would need if we were all living like you.  Then, I would like to know, What would you be willing to do to help lower your effects on the environment?”  Answers are due no later than Wednesday, April 26th 2017. 

Bombs Over Syria

During the first week of April, Syria turned a northern, rebel-held area into a toxic kill zone by using poison that possibly contained a nerve agent or other banned chemicals on their own people.  Numerous graphic videos posted online showed children and adults gasping, struggling to breathe, or lying motionless as rescue workers attempted to hose them off.  It is still unclear how many people perished in the attack, but some humanitarian groups estimate it was as high as 100.

The conflict in Syria is one of the most complicated in the Middle East.  One on side, you have the Syrian President, Bashar al-Assad, who is some cases is backed by Iran and Russia.  On the other side, you have the Syrian Rebels, somewhat backed by the United States.  Check out this short video that breaks down the history of the conflict in an easy-to-understand way, complete with color-coded graphics: https://video.search.yahoo.com/search/video?fr=yfp-t-s&p=history+of+syrian+conflict+video#id=1&vid=d228cf01f7e9c497e45a41f092ba7b18&action=click

Following the attack, the United States launched dozens of cruise missiles at a Syrian airfield, believed to have been used to carry out the chemical attack.  As the video above shows, the United States involvement in Syria has much greater implications for the United States’ security and relationships with the rest of the world.

Last week in class, we discussed how involved the United States should be with the rest of the world.  Many of you thought we should focus instead on the problems we have here at home, although most of us agreed that we can’t just let countries murder innocent people, if we’re able to stop it. So after viewing the video, my question to you this week is, “How involved should the United States become in Syria?”  Answers are due no later than Wednesday, April 19^th, 2017.  For all of you who celebrate – Have a happy and blessed Easter!

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 will start 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, April 12, 2017. 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!  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 22, 2017.  After that, the blog will be down until class resumes next quarter. I wish all of you a happy and safe Spring break!!

Differently Abled

This week, we are fortunate to have a guest blogger – Tim Vermande!  I would like to publicly thank him for his work and for being willing to share his experiences.  Once, when I was in high school, I was chosen to participate in a social experiment in which I was “blind” for a day.  I noticed immediately how many times my teachers asked if we could all “see” the examples on the board.  In between periods, it felt noisy, rushed and frankly a little scary as I tried to navigate my way through crowds of students trying to get to their next class.  It made me realize how much I take for granted, and it made me angry at how often others are denied rights or experiences simply because of ignorance and greed.  Which is why I’m so grateful to Tim, and happy that all of you will begin to think about these issues.  So without further ado….

Recently, CBS reported on perceived problem of “drive-by” ADA lawsuits. You can view this report at http://www.cbsnews.com/news/60-minutes-americans-with-disabilities-act-lawsuits-anderson-cooper/.

One thing that struck me in viewing this report is that was very “ableist.” This is a term that isn’t familiar to a lot of people. Ableism refers to a view, which may be subconscious, that “normal” is a standard for how the world works, and those outside of normal have “special needs.” If you’ve been in my World Civilization class, you may remember that when we cover the 1960’s, I talk about the interest in defining “normal” through testing (IQ tests, standardized tests in school, and the like) and a branch of pseudo-science known as eugenics. It also includes standards today of “perfect” bodies in the media, as well as expectations that lead to the “make-up tax” that hits women in many professions as they strive to meet an appearance standard.

While I enjoy this section, especially the responses such as “being normal is boring,” it’s a challenge to live in a world where plans and decisions are made without considering their impact on persons who live with one or more disabilities. It may be the exception that someone might set out to exclude people, but unconscious ableism causes well-intentioned people to make decisions that do cause exclusion.

My immediate response to reports such as this is to suggest that reporters and others should try a day in a wheelchair. One of the people in the CBS report who was interviewed was upset about repeated lawsuits over his parking. He complained that the space was within a few inches of the specification. When you’re getting into or out of a van, a few inches make quite a difference. Likewise, when a restroom door is an inch too narrow, you can’t get in. That’s a form of discrimination.

How would you feel if you couldn’t get into the restroom? Or into a place to eat? The ADA has been the law for 25+ years. Maybe, to think about my quiz question on the effects of laws, you could tell the police that the speed limit hasn’t been the law for long enough to follow it. How well do you think that would that work? There are lots of times where I’ve mentioned something that’s wrong about a place, and months later, it’s still wrong. How many warnings are you likely to get before a ticket? This is why lawsuits arise.

As my friend Lawrence Carter-Long states, “There is nothing special about a need other people get to take for granted. Denying someone something that other people get by default is discrimination. That's also what we should call it.”

To go further into today’s world, charter schools received public funding through vouchers. This is about to become more widespread. But charter schools don’t have to follow the ADA and other requirements for educating students with disabilities—even mobility-only impairments. How do you feel about this? As an alternative, can you share a time where you have experienced or witnessed discrimination?

Standing Rock - Part 2

You remember several months ago seeing your Facebook newsfeed filled with people who were “checking-in” at Standing Rock.  For those of you who aren’t familiar with what has been happening, people were “checking-in” to show support for the large-scale protest that has been protesting the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL).  The pipeline will transport 470,000 – 570,000 barrels of crude oil from North Dakota to Illinois, traveling through South Dakota and Iowa along the way.

 

Supporters, including President Trump, say the pipeline will not only transport large amounts of oil, but it will do so much more efficiently and safer than transport by tricks or trains.  Trump has cleared the way for the pipeline to be built, which was halted under President Obama. It underscores the new administration’s intent to spur infrastructure development and support the fossil fuel industry.

 

Opponents of the pipeline, which include environmental activists and the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, say a spill would contaminate the Tribe’s main source of drinking water which is located downstream.  Their fears are not unfounded, as the original route for the pipeline was rejected because it passed by Bismarck, the North Dakota capitol, and government officials feared a spill could contaminate their drinking water.  Additionally, the pipeline crosses through areas of cultural importance including sacred burial grounds and spiritual places of the Sioux Tribe, some of which have already been destroyed by the construction. Hundreds of protesters have been arrested, pepper sprayed, hit with rubber bullets, and attacked by police dogs.

 

This week, we will discuss the concept of “eminent domain,” in which the government can take your property, if they pay you for it and use for the public good.  So my question to you this week is, “Do you think pipeline is a good idea?  Do protesters have a right to interfere with the pipeline project?  Does the Sioux Tribe have a right to maintain their sacred lands?”  You must answer all questions for full credit.  Answers are due no later than Wednesday, March 8th, 2017.

P.S.  March 8^th is also International Women’s Day –and the theme this year is “Be Bold For Change.”  I encourage you to help forge a better world - a more inclusive, gender equal world!

 

In a Galaxy Far, Far Away....

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to see the movie Hidden Figures which tells the story of Katherine G. Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson - brilliant African-American women working at NASA, who served as the brains behind one of the greatest operations in history: the launch of astronaut John Glenn into orbit, a stunning achievement that restored the nation's confidence, turned around the Space Race, and galvanized the world.

I’ve always enjoyed learning about space.  My father had an amateur interest in astronomy and was always waking us up in the middle of the night to watch a meteor shower, see a comet or otherwise gaze at some celestial body that was visible enough for us to see and enjoy. He did this so often, it motivated my sister to became an Earth Space science teacher.

Which is why I was amazed to find out yesterday that NASA has discovered a single star that is home to 7 Earth-like planets!  I’m not imaginative enough to believe in aliens out to invade the world, but I do believe there could be life on other planets – even if “life” just means amoebas or vegetation.

NASA budget has been the source of conflict over the years, with some saying we’re spending too much and others saying it’s not enough.  For fiscal year 2017, NASA’s budget is 18.5 billion. That might seem like a big number, but it’s actually just .4% of our $4.147 trillion budget.  To put in in perspective, the Department of Defense’s budget for the same fiscal year is $523.8 billion – or 12.6% of our federal budget.  NASA has launched no new flight crews since 2012, and we currently pay Russia to transport our crews to the International Space Station.

So, my question to you this week is, “Do you think we should fund NASA at a higher level and invest in space exploration, or is the money better spent right here at home?  What are the benefits of space exploration?”  You must answer both questions for full credit.  Answers are due no later than Wednesday, March 1^st, 2017.

P.S.  If you haven’t seen Hidden Figures yet, I highly recommend it. The visionary trio crossed all gender and race lines to inspire generations to dream big!

El Dia Sin Immigrantes

You may have heard of the national protest going on today, “El dia sin immigrantes,” or “A day without immigrants.”  The protest, which calls for immigrants to take the day of work, is designed to demonstrate the positive and large impact immigrants make on America.  Immigration has been a hot topic, particularly since President Trump called for building a massive wall along our southern border and signed a controversial Executive order banning immigrants and refugees from seven different countries.

Immigration is a tough issue for me. 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 happen to have two co-workers who were granted legal status under DACA – Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, instituted by President Obama.  DACA gives legal status to individuals who were brought illegally to America by their parents.  In the cases of my co-workers, they were 13 and 9.  To hear them tell their stories about how their families literally risked everything to give their children a better chance at life, breaks my heart.  I support giving people who want to become American citizens a chance – one my co-workers were never offered.  Although they are legally allowed to work, and they pay taxes, there is currently no path to citizenship for them – ever. 

We are a nation of immigrants; however, we are also a country with a target on our backs. I’m not sure President Trump’s massive border wall is the answer, but it seems risky and utterly ridiculous to me that a nation as powerful as ours would have unsecured boarders

So, my question to you this week is, “Where do you stand on immigration?  Do you think there should be a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants who are already here?  Do you support the building of President Trump’s wall?”  You must answer all questions for full credit.  Answers are due no later than Wednesday, February 22^nd, 2017.

Educated and Homeless - Part 2

About six months ago, I happened to read an article about the rise of college students in poverty.  The article was so troubling to me, I decided I had to blog about it.  You can read my thoughts and your fellow students comments at the time, here: http://historicalandpoliticalissues.blogspot.com/2016/08/educated-and-homeless.html

The cost of attending college usually focuses on the tuition and fees; rarely does the conversation ever include the cost of living.  Now we all know that most college students would say they were poor.  I know there were weeks in college where I subsisted on Ramen noodles, Kool-Aid and McDonalds – which also happened to be where I worked.  However, looking back, I realize I really wasn’t that poor. Yes, I worked a low-paying job, and yes, I incurred a large amount of student loan debt, but I had a roof over my head and food in my belly – even if it wasn’t high quality food.  What’s more, even though my parents couldn’t help me much financially, they lived right down the street.  There was no chance of me ever becoming homeless, and I knew I could always stop by for a home-cooked meal. Most of you know my entire career has been focused on the complex issues related to poverty, which is why I find this issue so troubling.  So, when I heard this same issue being discussed on NPR this week, I knew I needed to blog about it again.

Students are working more and taking out record breaking amounts of loans, however many are still falling short of having all their needs met.  According to a study at the University of Wisconsin, 20% of college students reported going hungry and 13% report they are homeless.  Some states, like Massachusetts have implemented food assistance programs on their public university campuses, in order to make sure students get their most basic needs met.  These statistics just break my heart, and I’m interested to know what you think. So, my question this week is, “Do these numbers seem high to you – or is this what you would expect?  Do you think schools and universities have a responsibility to help address these issues – and if so, how?”  Answers are due no later than Wednesday, February 15, 2017.

P.S. If you are having trouble with homelessness or food insecurity – please reach out!  I may have resources that can help!

Nasty Women!

By now, you’ve probably all heard, or perhaps participated in the Women’s March that occurred right after the inauguration on January 21^st. Over 5 million people participated in cities around the world to let their voices be heard on a variety of issues - immigration, LGBTQ rights, the treatment of minorities, environmental causes, and of course, women’s rights. The organizers of the Women’s March have now started an action program to help people figure out how they can continue to take action.  You can learn more about the March and how you can let your voice be heard on any of these issues here: https://www.womensmarch.com/100/action2/

I’m a big supporter of women’s rights and the fight for equality that is still going on.  I had every intention of marching – my signs we ready, my t-shirt was bought – but unfortunately, I became ill and was too sick to attend.  I was bummed – but I was proud of my fellow sisters (and brothers!) who marched for equality and I was with them in spirit.  You may be thinking that in 2017 women already have equality, but you’d be wrong. In fact, it wasn’t so long ago that women couldn’t do a lot of things.  Check out this video I recently found on social media for a shocking list! https://www.facebook.com/omgfactsofficial/videos/10154697216211495/

In a few weeks, we will discuss equality in class and look at some of the ways that women still lag behind in men in terms of rights, particularly when it comes to equal pay for equal work.  Artists and designers aren’t immune from it either. According to a report by the National Endowment for the Arts, “women are making enormous progress, but still lag behind their male colleagues economically, especially in fields such as photography, design and architecture. The pay gap tends to be larger for non-performing art occupations, when women earn just 72% of what men earn. To put that into perspective, in 2005 the average income of women artists was $27,000 which was $14,700 less than the average income of men artists!

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, women are 60% more likely than men to earn a bachelor’s degree by the time they are twenty-three. We are more educated and working more than ever before, yet the disparity between pay is still there. So, my question to you this week is “Why do you think this gap exists, and what do you think we could do to change it?”  Answers are due no later than Wednesday, February 8^th, 2017.

This Moment Is Your Moment

I started this blog 8 years ago, right after President Obama’s first inauguration.  I remember clearly how hopeful I felt watching him take the oath of office and listening to his inaugural address.  You can read my thoughts about it at the time here: http://historicalandpoliticalissues.blogspot.com/2009/01/new-era-of-responsibility.html  

It’s hard to say I feel that same hope now.  Whether it’s because our new President doesn’t inspire it in me, or because I was just naïve at the time, I just don’t feel that hopeful about the future of America or our planet.  Whenever I start to feel depressed about the state of our nation, I revert back to what comes natural, which for me is service.  Those of you who know me, know I’m a big believer in giving back.  Whether it’s recycling, volunteering a local nonprofit, or helping someone in need, my motto has always been to leave the world a little better than I found it.  I may just be one person, but it’s a start.

So my question to you this week will be the same one that I started the blog with all those years ago, “"What can you pledge in 2017 to help your community, your school, your nation or your planet?" "How do you plan to carry this out?"  Answers are due no later than Wednesday, February 1^st, 2017.

Repeal and Replace

No item on Donald Trump’s agenda seems to have received as much publicity (except maybe “The Wall”) as his desire to repeal the Affordable Care Act and replace it with “something terrific.” So it didn’t surprise me that when I asked what you most wanted to learn about this quarter, many of you said healthcare.

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 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 has expanded access to healthcare and helped to 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 no longer must 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 firsthand 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 think Congress should repeal the law, and if so, what should they replace it with?”  Answers are due no later than Wednesday, January 25, 2016. 

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

Also – the inauguration is tomorrow!  Love him or hate him, the inauguration and the peaceful transition of power is still an American tradition.  I encourage you to watch it if you can!

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 will start 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, January 18th, 2017. I'm looking forward to a great quarter!