Your Thoughts and Feedback Are Appreciated!

Another quarter has almost passed.  When we started out together, it still felt like summer.  Now there is no doubt - winter is here! It’s been a pleasure getting to know all of you this quarter and I hope that you stay in touch, and continue to post on the blog whenever you want.

With that being said, my final question to you is, “What did you like or dislike about the class?  What could I do to make the class better?”  Answers are due no later than Wednesday, December 11th, 2013.  After that, the blog will be down until class resumes next quarter.

I hope all of your have a peaceful and blessed holiday season full of good food, good friends and family and good rest!

Giving Thanks!

It's been a weird quarter.  From having a sub one week (thank you, Tim!) to having class on Halloween, and now missing another week due to Thanksgiving, I feel like it has been a crazy quarter.  Don't gt me wrong - I enjoy missing class every now and then as much as you do, but as an instructor, it always makes it hard to catch up.

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

This year, as always, I am thankful for my faith, my family and my friends. I was blessed this year to travel on my first mission trip and it brought me a lot further along in my walk with God.  I'm healthy and generally happy, and I am surrounded by people who love me. I have two jobs that I really enjoy, and two great classes this quarter.  Yes - when all is said and done, I have it pretty good.  I hope I never lose sight of that, and always continue to be thankful for what I have.

So, in honor of the holiday my question to you this week will be an easy one. "What are you thankful for this holiday season?" Answers are due no later than Thursday, November 28th, 2013. Please note that there WILL be a new post while we are on break - so make sure to check the blog after the holiday, but before you return to class.  I hope all of you have a wonderful holiday full of good food, good friends and good conversation! Enjoy your break!

Imported From Detroit

Last week, I traveled to Detroit for work.  It may sound weird to some, but I love visiting Detroit. Yes, I know, Detroit isn’t usually on people’s list of top vacation spots, but I love it all the same. I love driving across the bridges, eating in Greektown, visiting the Museum of Modern Art and hanging out at Belle Island. Whether you call it the “Motor City,” “Motown,” or just the “D,” there’s no doubt that Detroit is a classic American city full of culture, diversity and fun.

Which makes it all the more sad to realize that no city in the country has been harder hit by the recession than Detroit. Home to the top three American automakers, Ford, Chrysler and General Motors, Detroit was once seen as a thriving metropolis where people could go to find good jobs. Today, Detroit’s official unemployment rate is slightly below 30% and some figures quote it actually closer to 50%. To put that in perspective; the national unemployment rate is 8.3%. American car companies, that once dominated the auto industry, now are often seen as having inferior quality and reliability compared to their Japanese counterparts.

Some say American car companies are struggling because of their focus on SUV’s. When gas prices started to rise, Americans began looking for smaller, compact cars, which are often foreign. Others say American companies missed the boat when it came to developing green cars with better emissions. We can no longer sell most American cars abroad, because we don’t meet the rest of the world’s fuel efficiency standards. Finally, some say American car companies just mis-managed their funds, giving corporate executives large bonuses, while ignoring their plants, technology and workers.

So my question to you this week is, “What do you think of American cars? Are they inferior to foreign ones? What do you think can be done to strengthen the American auto industry?” You must answer all questions to earn full credit. Answers are due no later than Wednesday, November 20th, 2013.  

P.S.  Monday was Veteran's Day!  To all those who have served our country - thank you!!  You are true American heroes!

Trick-Or-Treat-Or-Not

It's Halloween!!  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 Tuesday, November 14th, 2013. Please note that you have an extended deadline because I will not be here next week.  Have a happy and safe Halloween!

She Is What She Is

Like most of you, I vaguely remember hearing about the Paula Deen case earlier this year.  I don’t watch her shows or intentionally buy her products, but I definitely knew who she was.  So when I heard that she was being sued for racial discrimination and had admitted under oath to using the n-word, I pretty much thought she was getting what she deserved.  Much like Mel Gibson’s racist rant a few years prior, I thought it was just another case of a celebrity’s “true persona” being revealed publically.  To be honest, I never really thought much more about it.

This weekend, I spent half of Saturday happily cooking and baking in my kitchen.  With the television on in the background, Deen’s True Hollywood Story happened to come on and by the time it was over, I knew it was going to be this week’s blog topic.  Dean was sued by a former employee, Lisa Jackson, who is Caucasian.  Jackson said she suffered from sexual harassment and was forced to endure racially offensive language during her five years as a restaurant manager where Deen is a co-owner.  As part of her deposition in the case, Deen, who grew up in the Georgia, admitted under oath that she had in the distant past, used the n-word when referencing African-Americans.  As a result of her testimony, she lost both of her Food Network shows and many corporate sponsors.  In response, Deen went on The Today Show to apologize and deny any kind of prejudice, famously saying, “I is what I is and I’m not changing”.  It was this very interview that led many people to believe that Deen didn’t seem very sorry for her actions.

I didn’t know how the case had been resolved until I saw the show.  The lawsuit ended up being thrown out by the courts.  Deen’s accuser, Lisa Jackson, issued a statement saying in part that she never heard Deen use any racial slurs, and that her issues at the restaurant were not with Deen.  The statement came a bit too late, as Deen was already facing tremendous public backlash over her testimony.  Her career and reputation will forever be tarnished by this incident, and some say rightfully so.

This case really got me thinking – so my question to you this week will have two parts.  First, “Do you think admitting to using the n-word, or other racial slurs make someone a racist?  Is it possible for people to grow and change, or do you think once a racist, always a racist?”  Second, “Why do you think the media only seemed to report one side of this case?  Do you think they intentionally tried to make the case as divisive as possible, or is this simply another case of “celebrities gone bad” that makes for good reporting?”  I’m not sure of the answers myself, so I’ll be interested to hear what you think!  Answers are due no later than Wednesday, October 31^st, 2013.

 

Defining a Culture of Rape

Last week, I was shocked when I read about an interview Chris Brown gave to Vanity Fair, in which he divulged that he lost his virginity at the age of 8 to a girl who was 14 or 15 years old.  When asked by the interviewer about being so young, it was reported that Chris grinned and chuckled and said, “It’s different in the country”.  The sad fact is that whether he realizes it or not, what Brown described is rape.  A few quarters ago, I blogged about the Ohio rape case that garnered national attention, when the high school aged rapist took photos and videos while in the act, and then shared them with other students on social media.  You can read my thoughts on that case and your fellow students’ comments here:  http://historicalandpoliticalissues.blogspot.com/2013/04/take-back-our-nights-take-baqck-our.html

That same quarter, I had a student do her final project on “rape culture,” a term that unfortunately is becoming more common, especially when it comes to minors.  Sexual abuse is almost as common for boys as it is for girls, but often because of how society defines masculinity, people have trouble acknowledging male victims.  Consider that Josh Brolin has also gone on record saying he was 11 when he lost his virginity, and he attributed his young age to “general teen wildness.”  Dave Navarro has also stated he was 13 when he lost his virginity and it made him feel “like a king”.

I know as a female, most of us grew up with parents and other adults giving us advice on how to avoid situations that may lead to rape: “Don’t walk alone at night.”  “Don’t accept drinks or rides from strangers.” “Leave with who you came with”. “Be alert, especially when you’re walking alone”.  So my first question for this week is for the guys, “What, if anything were you told about rape growing up?  Who talked to you about it – your teachers, your parents, or your friends?”  For everyone I would like to know, “Do you view male sexual abuse differently than female sexual abuse?  Be honest!  What makes you feel the way you do?”  Answers are due no later than Tuesday, October 22^nd, 2013

America SHUTDOWN!

I’ve never taught this class before while the federal government was shut down.  I’ve blogged about elections, inaugurations and wars – but never a government shutdown.  So I was happy to read your responses from last week and realize that it’s on your mind too.  What is causing the shutdown?  When will it end?  It’s hard to wade through all the information that’s being tossed about and get to the real facts.  So in this post, I will do my best to do just that.

Congress has one main duty; to pass spending bills that fund the government.  The government’s fiscal year runs from October 1^st – September 30^th, meaning the Congress had to approve a spending plan for the new year by September 30^th.  When Congress failed to do so this year, the federal government shutdown – meaning all non-essential government functions grinded to halt. 

The main issue is that Republicans insist that any new spending bill include provisions to defund, derail or otherwise chip away at the Affordable Care Act, commonly referred to as Obamacare.  The Affordable Care Act requires all Americans to have health insurance.  Republicans feel it will hurt employers because it requires companies with over 50 employees to provide health insurance to their employees.  Opponents to the new law also feel it amounts to over-reaching by the federal government – essentially saying it is not the federal government’s job to mandate healthcare for all citizens.

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

There is no telling how the long the shutdown will last, and what the effect of the shutdown will be on our economy.  One thing is for certain, both sides have dug in their heels and no end is in sight.  So my question to you this week is, “What do you think of the Affordable Care Act?  Do you support it or oppose it?  What do you think is a solution to the shutdown?”  Answers are due no later than Tuesday, October 15^th, 2013.  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