Race and the Educational System: An expectance of success

Annually my former high school-Miami Senior High- has had an awards assembly exclusively for the academically and athletically inclined. Students could only attend if they were personally invited. I received my invitation the last week of classes of my senior year. I received more awards and scholarships than any other student at this assembly. Throughout the day I was given congratulations especially from my African American peers. They told me things like: “Thanks for representing” and “You showed them that they not the only ones that can do well. We can do it too.” (Miami High was a predominantly white and Hispanic school) Upon graduation I was one of three individuals in my senior class who got accepted to the University of Miami. I was one of the 2 black students in the top 3% of the class and the only Haitian American.

I’m not proof that racism doesn’t exist, nor am I proof that the system is fine and minorities are just lazy. My experience is not analogous to the American ideal of Equal opportunity. I am an exception to the rule. I was lucky and was given opportunities and encouragement that several of my African American classmates didn’t have. And my back is heavy every day because of it.

Though no one sat me down and specifically told me what kind of society I lived in, I already knew. I was almost always the only Black student in all of my AP and honors classes, none of my teachers were black, and almost all of my African American friends were in regular classes. My school like my society told me that the odds were not stacked against me specifically but what I represent: A Black person living in white America. I was a surprise to my white classmates and a symbol of hope to my Black peers. I believe that there was always a level of expectancy placed upon me. I felt like I had to intellectually legitimize my entire race and fight against stereotypes I did not create nor perpetuate. I had to get it right the first time. I could not make any mistakes in the way I spoke. The odds were against me because of the misconceptions attached to the color of my skin.

I believe we must acknowledge that the makeup of our schools reflects that of societies. When blacks and Hispanics are disproportionately redlined into poorer neighborhoods, experience housing discrimination and live in a culture of violence, society perceive their circumstance s an indication of how much success a member in such group can attain. I think that it is difficult for minority students to move up in our educational system because they are not being encouraged to take AP and honors courses. This places minority students at a disadvantage when they apply for college. I believe that when the odds are placed against minority students, it makes it much more difficult to perform academically.

http://216.97.229.165/diverse/business/web/site3/article/6973/1.php

http://www.dailysentinel.com/news/content/news/stories/2009/10/14/NISD_GT_program_101409.html

Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQWP7fUSPJU

College Choices and the Success of Working Class Students

When looking at American society, a lot is determined by what class you are born into. Even as more and more students from the lower classes are attending college, they are still limited as to the opportunities they are presented with. In the article “College Choice and the Success of Working-Class Students,” it discusses the factors influencing working-class student’s college choices and how they fair in different environments. These factors include cost of attendance, distance, and any financial aid given by the school. The essential argument however, is the “undermatching” of working class college students to their scholastic abilities and achievements.

The argument is that because working class students lack the funds to go to an elite college or they don’t believe they have the knowledge to, they often second guess themselves, enrolling at a less selective university. This action alone puts them at a competitive disadvantage because once they graduate, they will be competing against graduates from Ivy League schools. This keeps the class system the same and limits the working class students from moving up in society because as employers, graduates who come from elite schools with more credibility are more likely to get the job. The fact that students don’t try to enroll in more selective schools is an indicator of their self esteem. In addition, this also indicates how much a family can afford to pay for their child to attend college and how comfortable they are in a new environment. I think that it’s unfortunate that students are unable to go to a college they want to because of reasons they cannot control. In relation to cost of attendance, it’s a lose-lose situation because if you want to go to a college but don’t have enough money, you have to take out a loan and put yourself in debt.

In the article, it also talks about the professors at less selective universities making the course less rigorous because they know the working class students is more busy outside of school. Since they lack the funds to pay entirely for school and even financial aid may not cover the cost, they often work to pay for the difference. For a student who is used to being surrounded by people of their same socio-economic background, being in an elite setting is somewhat uncomfortable and may make them feel out casted. The one positive, however, is that this may drive the working class student to succeed at a higher rate because they feel as if they have to prove them that they belong. What is sad is the fact that working class students are forced to settle instead of being able to go to the dream school. In the less selective schools, seeing that working class students are surrounded by people from their socio-economic background they are less likely to push themselves and only settle. As we move into a new era where the social as well as economic classes become more divided and more students are attending college, we have to think about how to even the playing field. How can we change the face of America’s class problem if we don’t give our youth the proper tools to change the system?

College Costs Hit Working Class Students - VIDEO

Related Articles:

1) Working Class Students and Comm. College

2) College Costs Hit Working Class Hard

3) In and Out of the Working Class

'Sexting' teenager faces child-porn charges

Obama signs hate crimes bill into law

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/10/28/hate.crimes/index.html

This Wednesday, on October 28^th, President Obama finally signed the law that declared assaults on individuals because of their sexual orientation or identity to be a federal hate crime. It’s almost pathetic to think that just a few days ago, our laws basically turned a blind eye to the deliberate hurting of someone because they were gay or transgendered. How could that possibly not be a hate crime? I suppose some people will never see Matthew Shepard, who was brutally attacked and murdered because he was gay, as a victim of some sort of hatred. I’m glad to see that President Obama and his plans for the seeds of change are finally seeing fruit. I remember on his campaign trail, his views on such social reforms were very vague and cloudy. He spoke with tremendous gusto and eloquence, but there was never really a time I can recall where I had heard him outline a plan for any type of legislation like this.

Included in this legislation is a statement, which protects religious leaders from being persecuted on the bases of their speeches and beliefs. Numerous Christian broadcasters are worried that this will be used to silence them, because they can be considered a co-conspirator in a hate crime because of their views. I find this notion to be a little ridiculous. This legislation is protecting the civil rights of Americans, yet these broadcasters are selfishly nitpicking and assuming they’ll be getting a bad part of the deal. They believe that they will be censored on their harsh views on homosexuality, and regardless of my opinion on the matter, that won’t be the case. These commentators seem to be forgetting our first amendment, the Freedom of Speech, which protects them from this. It just seems like some sort of last-ditch complaining about the bill because of the general Christian belief on homosexuality.

As Christian televangelist Pat Robertson so kindly stated, “The noose has tightened around the necks of Christians”. Apparently legislation that puts forth social progress in our country is adversely affecting the religious community. This is also the person who stated that gay marriage would eventually lead to the, ”legalization of polygamy, beastiality, child molestation, and pedophilia”. Yes, this legislation provides hate crimes protection, but I don’t think we’ll ever see our country completely without the ignorance of Pat Robertson-types. Homosexuality is not a moral issue. Therefore, calling it a moral issue is out-of-line.

This legislation was necessary in our country, "…because no one in America should ever be afraid to walk down the street holding the hands of the person they love," as Obama said. While it is a landmark step forward socially and for the LGBT community, it is a little ridiculous that it took this long for a law like this to be passed.

http://www.onenewsnow.com/Culture/Default.aspx?id=740586

http://epgn.com/pages/full_story/push?article-Hate-crimes+bill+becomes+law%20&id=4199195-Hate-crimes+bill+becomes+law&instance=top_story

http://thinkprogress.org/2009/10/30/robertson-noose-hatecrimes/

Parental Involvement in Schools

            Most children in the United States live in a home where the parents or guardians have full time jobs. Some parents may even be working more than one job in order to support the family. Since the parents spend so much time at work, not much attention is paid to the children. Besides the fact that the children are ignored because of work, there are aspects of the children’s lives that are also neglected. The children’s school life is one of the aspects being ignored and probably the one being ignored most since the parents assume they are under the care of their teachers.

            Truth be told, even if parents wanted to participate in school activities, this would be impossible considering the demanding work hours. Especially for low-wage workers, their jobs do not usually have flexibility or leave policies that can be used to attend their child or children’s school activities. This is affecting the children negatively because national research has shown that parental involvement directly affects school achievement and results in lower dropout rate (Krischer). In effect to this result, twelve states are now requiring that employers give school-involvement leave.

            I think that this is an excellent achievement made by the twelve different states because I agree that parental involvement can help the children’s lives in many more ways than just academically. Since parents cannot address the issue, I think it is good that legislators have recognized the issue and are now addressing it. When the parents are involved more deeply in the children’s lives they can relate more to the kids and the kids in return feel more comfortable and more loved by the parents. School involvement is a great way for parents to get involved in the children’s lives while still having their work life.

http://www.miamiherald.com/business/careers/story/1192136.html

http://www.childtrendsdatabank.org/indicators/39ParentalInvolvementinSchools.cfm

http://cte.ed.gov/acrn/parents/schoolsuccess.htm#1

Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kx8Vbeqqpno&feature=related

Mother challenges Texas law allowing Parents to show children pornography

It is true that children learn from their teachers; however, parents are the primary example setters for children. Children create ideas, morals and values from the standards that their parents set. These ideas that children attain are brought into the classroom, where children discuss events or beliefs with their peers. Children often return home and ask their parents an inappropriate question relating to a topic that their peer may have brought up in the classroom. In many instances, these topics refer to sex.
Recently, schools have been funding sexual education programs in order to expose children to the acts of sex, but furthermore to promote abstinence. However, in Texas, parents are permitted to show their children pornography in order to educate their youngsters about sexual acts.
Although I grew up in a household where the word “sex” was never said nor discussed; I plan on changing the role of the word when I am a mother. I am open to talking about sexual related ideas and I am not opposed to children knowing what sex is from a young age. Sex is a natural part of human interactions, and it is the way humans are reproduced. However, parents need not show their children pornography in order to educate kids on sexual encounters. There are many books that are appropriate, and even educational films. In many pornographies, sexual encounters are for lack of a better term, “dirty”. Many times inappropriate names are said and children do not need to watch such encounters in order to understand what the word “sex” means.
Children can learn about their sexuality and the sexuality of the opposite gender in many other ways than explicit actions. In the article, a father showed his daughter a three-way sexual encounter. Children do not need to be exposed to three-way encounters in order to learn about sex, this was merely for the father’s pleasure. Furthermore, these explicit videos spur ideas within children, who ultimately bring these ideas with them to the classroom. Children learn from their parents, and if their parents are watching such videos, children will think it is appropriate to partake in such acts. This idea that children learn from their parents directly correlates with John Dewey’s philosophy on imitation. Dewey believes that children do not imitate all adults actions, they select. Children select to imitate certain action depending on construction, inquiry, artistic expression and communication. Children may decide to use this four-fold interests of children in order to imitate pornography, which may result in unlawful acts.
The video I have attached is a fox news interview with a teenager who sent naked pictures of his ex-girlfriend to the contacts in his phonebook. The teenage boy is now identified as a sex offender. Although there is no direct correlation between the teenage sex offender and the Texas law allowing parents to show their children porn, this demonstrates the world we live in. Children are exposed to sexual encounters in ways that are inappropriate and this results in their misusage of sex, hence the naked pictures. Being exposed to pornography at a young age may lead to sexual violence and child molestation. If a child watches pornography, they may create their own pornographies in order to mimic what their parents have exposed them to.
As a young child, I cannot imagine my father, nevertheless my mother, watching pornography with me. I think this exploits the minds of young children, and can lead to unlawful acts. The law in Texas should be changed immediately, because it is negatively affecting young children and the environment they grow up in. Children can still learn about the natural act of sex without watching pornography.

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation/AP/story/1307210.html

Related articles:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1156136/Children-exposed-pornography-prostitution-drugs-Twitter.html

http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/119/2/247

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1622610


Related Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mEky0KdHPk

The Gender Gap: Still Alive Today

http://www.lifescript.com/Life/Family/Parenting/The_Gender_Gap_Are_We_Teaching_Our_Daughters_To_Earn_Less.aspx?gclid=CMeTjr28450CFQKdnAodWVpeKw&trans=1&du=1&ef_id=1350:3:s_ae6cc53ebc27ac6701482982a4eb4a31_1237604371:Suots0NIYWQAAHC-SxwAAAZA:20091030000507

Gender gap can constitute a wide variety of meaning and interpretations in today’s society. Whether in attitudes, treatment, wage, voting, or many more categories, the gender gap is present in almost all factions of life starting from a very early age. An article discussing the prominence of the gender gap, “The Gender Gap: Are We Teaching Our Daughters To Earn Less?”, references a study done by the American Association of University Women Educational Foundation showing that the gender gap is just as bad now as it ever has been. Although it is often unintentional, the current structure of our society allows and almost promotes the existence of a gender gap in nearly all aspects of daily life.

This gap between men and women seems to be taught and set in stone for children during their schooling years. Teachers seem to have a tendency of calling on male students more often then female students, especially in those subjects areas our society views as typically male (math and science). This occurrence, known as quiet discrimination, can undermine a girl’s belief and self-confidence and ultimately steer her away from certain career path she may have once preferred. Happenings such as this one serve to widen the gender gap even more.

Throughout primary and secondary schooling as well as during college and beyond, the gender gap is present. In the job market the gap is seen in the percentage of men and women in the labor force, the types of occupations they choose, and their relative income and wages. In 2000 only 76 percent of women were in the labor force while 93 percent of men were participating in the labor force. However, income and earnings is one of the most prominent examples that demonstrate that the gender gap is still in existence and going strong. The more hours a female works, the less she earns in comparison to her male counterpart. In addition, from the 1980s to present day women’s earnings rose from about 60 to 70 percent of what men make.

Evidently, most article and studies have discovered that no place in the world has successfully been able to remove the gender gap. The gender gap can be detrimental to girls and women, causing them to experience gaps from men in ways including self-esteem and expectation.

Interestingly enough, for the first time last year, women earned more than half of the degrees granted statewide in Minnesota. In the United States there are more men than women between 18 and 24; however, there is a 43/57 male-female ratio on campus today. It is said that as girls and women start coming forward and their numbers increase, the number of men decline on college campuses. In general, there is supposed declining percentage of men on college campuses.

All in all, despite this final study, women and girls are still experiencing the downside to the gender gap whether it be income, schooling, or expectation. It gives women unequal opportunity starting from as early as elementary school and following them throughout life. Society draws a line between men and women and everything related to gender. There are certain qualities and personalities along with appearances and likes and dislikes that society deems appropriate for each gender, which puts men in front of women in almost all situations.

Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EK6Y1X_xa4&feature=player_embedded#

Related Articles:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091008113306.htm

http://www.econlib.org/library/Enc/GenderGap.html

http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2005-10-19-male-college-cover_x.htm

The Missing Male Teacher

With all of the strides that have been made in the postmodern classroom setting, one of the most surprising issues in the field of education surround gender roles—but instead of students, the issue deals with the teacher population in our schools. Believe it or not, the number of male teachers in the United States hit a forty year low during the 2007-2008 school year, when men made up of only one quarter of educators in this country. An even more staggering statistic: 91% of elementary school teachers in the United States are women. However, that is certainly not to say that only 9% of American men are interested in teaching. There are several speculations as to why so few men are entering the field of education, none of which include a general lack of passion for teaching. Instead, low pay, as well as stereotypes about traditional gender roles and child sex offenders have all played roles in deterring men from becoming teachers. Whether men are conscious of it or not, the demand for male teachers has never been higher, and it is not difficult to see why.

Since the very inception of the American education system, teaching, especially elementary school teaching, has been viewed as a domestic and nurturing role, mainly reserved for women. Since women were expected to make the easy transition from the domestic lifestyle at home to the domestic lifestyle in the classroom, the salary did not come close to matching that of a typical American male. Classic American gender roles tell us that the male is meant to be the breadwinner of the family, but this can be difficult to accomplish as a teacher—especially at the elementary level. In an article by Tamar Snyder entitled, Male Call: Recruiting More Men to Teach Elementary School, he says that “if they started paying men $150,000 a year, you’d see a lot of guys going into the field.” Obviously, that idea is unrealistic, but I found an interesting contrast in Secretary of Education Arne Duncan’s speech at Teacher’s College at Columbia University, when he asserted that he found it futile to raise teacher salaries because teachers “aren’t motivated by money.” If they were, Duncan argued, “they wouldn’t have gotten into the field in the first place.” While there may be those whose passion for teaching outweighs the monetary value of the profession, to say that teachers aren’t motivated by money is completely ridiculous. It certainly cannot take place overnight, but a raise in teacher salaries could certainly up the ante for men who are on the fence about teaching career.

While men have never been formally discouraged from the field of education, there are a few factors outside of the poor monetary compensation that are deterring them from the field. One of which is the simple stereotype that teaching is “women’s work”, and that it is no man’s place to be sensitive, nurturing, and caring toward students. Another reason is that if men were to be sensitive, nurturing, and caring toward students, they’d be much more likely to be slapped with sexual harassment charges than a woman. Tyler Shannon, a fourth grade teacher in a Kansas City school district, admitted that he was very apprehensive at the start of his career to show support for his students in a physical manor. A 2002 study by the American Association of University Women showed that 83% of sexual harassment charges against high school teachers were directed at male teachers. Whether all of these accusations were deserved or not, this is an external force that is really keeping men out of the classroom.

It is certainly true that incentive outside of helping students learn is just not there for male teachers. However, as the son of a male elementary school teacher, I can honestly say that there has never been a more important time to bring men into the classroom. According to First Things First: The Importance of Male Positive Role Models, nearly one fourth of American children today live in one-mother households. Of those children, about 35% never see their biological father. These staggering statistics prove that there is a devastating lack of positive male role models for this generation of children. Simply put, children need someone who is crazy about them, unconditionally. During the 25 years that he was in the classroom, I’ve personally witnessed my dad be that someone for so many students, just as he is for my brother and me. The respect that he achieved from students and parents in his district, his involvement in the lives of his students and the true passion he’s had for teaching is what motivated me to enter the field myself. I want to be a part of the next generation of positive male role models.

Even for those without a teacher for a father, there are programs out there that strive to motivate men to teach. The Call Me MISTER (Mentors Instructing Students Toward Effective Role Models) program at Clemson University began in order to increase the pool of elementary school teachers to make the field more diverse. The student participants in the program are largely, but not exclusively, chosen from socioeconomically disadvantaged ad educationally at-risk communities. Because the project provides tuition assistance, an academic support system to help assure success, and a cohort system for social and cultural support, most anyone is able to participate. It also gives men a great opportunity to see that while it may be an unpopular career choice for men, teaching is one of the most rewarding careers in our society. It is a truly phenomenal way to help those who want to improve tomorrow to get involved today.

Woman Left to Die Alone Because She is Gay

On February 2007 the Langbehn-Pond family was slapped in the face with the reality
that we still have a long way to go in this country to bring equal rights to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered individuals. It all began when the family decided to come to Miami from Washington State in order to take a vacation cruise. Before the boat left the dock Lisa Pond collapsed and was rushed to Jackson Memorial Hospital. Her life partner of 18 years, Janice Langbehn , followed close behind with three of the couple’s four adopted children in tow, with the belief that they would be able to be Lisa’s side, unfortunately they were kept out of her room and Lisa was essentially forced to die alone in a hospital room with no loved ones around. What’s worse, just this year US District Judge Adalberto Jordan ruled in a lawsuit filed by Janice after the incident that Jackson Memorial was at no fault for what happened; a fact that I find beyond belief considering Janice was able to prove that day that she shared custody of children whom she had adopted with Lisa, she held Power of Attorney for Lisa, and she had a Living Will naming her legal guardian including the power to make end-of-life decisions on her behalf. They had taken all the legal steps possible in the event that something should happen to either of them, especially in a state that had harsher views towards same-sex couples, and it still did them no good. In the end, Lisa was already in a vegetative state by the time her family finally got by her side…just in time to turn off ventilators. And four children and their mom were left devastated with unresolved feelings.

How long will it be before we learn to stop identifying people by their sexual orientation, color of their skin, gender, etc? And when will we decide that if two people love each other they should be able to celebrate that love by getting married and have that marriage stand for something no matter where they are. I don’t think that it should be the governments right to interfere with that. We need to learn to respect and have compassion for people who are not like ourselves and let them feel free to be themselves.

Hopefully the new hate crime legislation passed by President Obama will at least take strides to punish individuals who think that they can get away with blatant discrimination and acts of violence or verbal abuse. With the passing of this legislation funding will be increased to allowing the Justice Department the resources to track down and investigate crimes that are committed based on someone’s gender, sexual orientation, or sexual identity. And although the Langbehn-Pond weren’t victims of an overt act of hate, I believe what they experienced was pretty hateful, especially considering a nurse at the hospital even felt the need to mention that they weren’t in a “Gay friendly state,” as she chose to word it. I hope that their family can find peace and closure, even though it looks as if the Justice System isn't going to assist them in obtaining it.

Cost of College on the Rise

Article: http://money.cnn.com/2009/10/19/pf/college_costs/index.htm

In the article “College: More expensive than ever”, CNNMoney.com writer Hibah Yousuf reports that the costs of attending and graduating from college are higher than they have ever been in the past, causing a college degree to be unattainable for many students in America.  The number of students seeking higher degrees of education is steadily rising for reasons from increased number of high school graduates to a decrease in hiring and job market opportunities.  Yousuf informs us that universities are capitalizing on this trend.  There is less grant money available because more students are seeking it and fewer contributions are being made to the pot of loan money.  This, in turn, produces a great need for more borrowing, in the form of loans.  If a student is unable to receive a loan, for one reason or another, the college degree is going to be out of reach for them.

            I am a strong, strong believer that much more of the government’s budget needs to be allocated to education.  I hear in the news every once in a while about the government giving millions and millions of dollars to help fund as research project on weapons for war, or a billion dollars is given to stimulate the economy in a country on the other side of the world.  But, to me, the education of individuals in our country is far more important and will be far more beneficial to America than many of these other fund allocations they come up with.  The government needs to realize the education of our citizens will improve our society by increasing efficiency, productivity, and the overall capacity to excel.  With higher education institutions becoming increasingly expensive in conjunction with less money in the form of grants and loans, people will simply be unable to attend these institutions and will not gain a higher education.  This will directly effect the lower to middle economic class, more so than the upper, starting an entirely separate problem of upholding the socioeconomic divide of Americans.  This vicious cycle will never come to an end unless the government decides to pump more money into the educational system in America, allowing schools to feel no need to up the prices for student tuition.  If schools were given more money, they would be able to decrease the price for a student to attend and would then be much more willing and able to provide for students who cannot financially afford any type of upper level schooling without assistance.

It is crazy for the government to not increase the spending budget for educational institutions.  The more educated we are as a country, the more we will be able to excel in the world in a very positive way.  The more resources we have for students who cannot afford education, the smaller the racial, social, and economic minority gap will become.  Education is such an important aspect in life and students shouldn’t be worried about financial boundaries to stand in the way of expanding their minds!

*Related Articles*
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/09/business/economy/09leonhardt.html
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,568705,00.html
http://thechoice.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/20/college-costs-up/
http://www.collegeboard.com/student/pay/add-it-up/4494.html

*Video*

Back to School Already?- Felice Resnik

Adding more time in school is never a popular idea with students. Children’s main concern when the idea is mentioned is that it will reduce the amount of free and hangout time they have.  Recently, there has been talk at the national level of trying to increase the amount of time children spend in school by increasing the hours and changing the school year to be year round.

President Obama and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan have both made public statements and have said in interviews that in this time children need more time in the classroom. They have several reasons for suggesting this change. Primarily, “Obama and Duncan say kids in the United States need more school because kids in other nations have more school” (Contreras). They often quote reports that say that American students are doing being outscored on math and science tests by students in other countries such as Japan and Taiwan. This puts children at a disadvantage in the global economy. This point also echoes the report in A Nation At Risk.

Another reason they support adding more time to school days is it gives children a safe place to go after school. Since parents work the time between when the school day ends and when parent supervision is available is a period where kids tend to get in trouble. Students need more protection and a place with support and resources not found in other parts of the community. Duncan would like to make schools the center of communities and the best way to do that is to make it more inclusive and open more.

Also, making schools year round is beneficial for kids, especially those from lower socioeconomic classes. Poor children do not have the same availability of resources as children in higher economic classes, do not have the opportunity to be in camps, and are often left alone. These factors often contribute to crime that Duncan and Obama think could partially be diverted by children spending more time in schools with the proper resources and support.

There have been several schools and programs that implemented longer or year round schooling. Schools with such programs tend to have test scores increase. This could be because teachers are able to spend more time with areas students are struggling in and add more extra material to supplement the curriculum.

One downside is that it is very expensive to implement. The funding is hard to come by, but the results are said to be worth it. Having students have more class time is beneficial is several ways such as improved test scores, less crime, and more extra knowledge is learned. 

Article: More school: Obama would curtail summer vacation

NAYRE

PBS News Hour Year Round Schooling

Back to School Already? Year Round Programs in Full Swing

Louisiana Judge refuses to marry biracial couple

Louisiana Judge Refuses to Marry Biracial Couple
A Louisiana justice of the peace, Keith Bardwell, refused to marry a biracial couple a white female and black male on the basis that he doesn’t believe in “mixing the races that way”. He also went on to describe that the main reason for his refusal was the children the future couple may have will not be accepted by either racial group and would suffer in society. When being interviewed he claimed to have refused to marry a total of four couples for this same exact reason. And yet this man still has a job as a judge? It has taken four couples for one to finally fight back against this blatant racial issue that still exists within America. And that not only are normal American citizens guilty of this, a person whose judge title has the word peace imbedded into it has gotten away with such injustices that have been ignored four previous times. Still even people are calling for him to be fired and he is yet to be reflects how race is still a prevalent issue in today’s society and politics. “The U.S. Supreme Court tossed out any racially based limitations on marriage in the landmark 1967 Loving v. Virginia case. In the unanimous decision, the court said that "Under our Constitution, the freedom to marry, or not marry, a person of another race resides with the individual and cannot be infringed by the state." Yet a person for working for this system has the audacity to say he’s not racist and yet decides to ignore the constitution in favor of his own racist view. The husband of the newly married couple argues a important point when he is interviewed claiming that even though this judge claims that 99% end up in divorce how many black or white couples for that matter end up in divorce no matter what their race. Throughout our readings we have discussed the issues of racism that’s relevant within America and through this story we can see the implications of this system in the everyday lives of the citizens within this county. Tim Wise describes that racism 2.0 has taken over as the new racist system, although we can see plain old bigotry is still a huge issue even today. Although many claimed to be shocked, even the husband of the couple, that in 2009 this kind of hatred is still around displays how this invisible system of white privilege has imbedded itself into our psyches. I also think that Peggy McIntosh could add to her list a new item which would be getting married without worrying about being judged and denied the right to. I think that our society should learn from this story and other like it, and begin to accept that racism is still a huge issue within this country and begin to find ways to change the system. One of first steps would be to fire this man instead of letting him get away with social and political injustice he has created through his racist ideals.

Links

http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/10/16/louisiana.interracial.marriage/index.html#cnnSTCText

http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2008/black.in.america/

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=11921037

http://whitmanpioneer.com/opinion/columnists/2009/10/29/our-race-problem/

Video

Advertising's View of Women

Link to Article - http://newsreel.org/nav/title.asp?tc=CN0051

Summed up, advertising’s view of women is one of objectification. Ads objectify women and as Jean Kilbounre says in her video, Killing Us Softly 3, the most important thing for women is their appearance. I first saw this video in another class and thought, “oh great, a boring, outdated video.” But, as lame as this may sound, this video is not that. The concerns Kilbourne was referring to in all three of her videos of this series are still prevalent today. Her latest video on the topic of female representation in the media was done in the year 2000. After watching the video my professor asked the class for reflection. I had nothing to say. I sat there and realized how the majority of what was mentioned was true. Sure, Kilbourne does not pay enough attention to the pressure that men feel from advertising, because they do feel similar pressures as women. However, male objectification is not as common. In middle school I was a huge fan of magazines and would tear out pictures and ads I found appealing. I do not still have these, but I can specifically recall many ads that portrayed women as submissive, weak and fragile creatures.

Media is more pervasive today than it has ever been and these ads in which women are portrayed as objects rather than people are not only in magazines. Advertisements for websites pop up on the sides of Internet pages, commercials on television and the radio also aid in the depiction of women as broken down objects or sex symbols. Ads for the American Apparel website flood the sides of one of teenager’s and young adult’s favorite websites, used by both men and women, Facebook. These ads continually show women half naked with only a shirt, or if they are wearing a shirt and shorts then the shirt is practically sheer and she is wearing no bra underneath. On the radio advertisements come on trying to sell anything, and whether it relates to sex or women is unnecessary because regardless of the product a woman with a breathy, sexy voice will try to sell it to you. And as for television, I will always remember the episode of America’s Top Model in which Tyra Banks was telling the contestants the different bathing suit poses they should use according to the type of magazine they are in. In men’s magazines women are supposed to flirt with the camera, look sexy and have their legs open towards the camera. In women’s magazines the models stand hunchback, looking almost broken in awkward poses. In neither type of magazine do women take on strong poses.

All the time people say that they do not pay attention to the advertisements, but this is untrue. All the time we see ads for movies and then go out and see them, we see clothing ads and want to buy the item. When we see these clothing items we don’t just see the item itself, we see the person displaying it. When women are represented as a weak group of people who are there for the service of others it objectifies them. But objectification means nothing unless you actually think about what that word means. It means thinking about a woman, who is a human being, as an object and not a person. An object can be owned, it can be possessed, it can be treated in any way the owner/possessor wants. And who does this leave to be the owners who dominate? Men. When advertisements directed at men or women dehumanize women it instills an idea that they can be treated according to however men want. This leads to sexual, physical and emotional violence against women. It is much easier to beat up or abuse an object than a person.

Another problem is the selling of sex. Although it may be appealing, women are constantly depicted as acting sexy, being sexy, and wanting sex regardless. Men think all women are this way, or even that women who wear certain clothing are asking for sex. Then when a woman says no, a man may think no means yes. There are not advertisements for clothing in which women are all covered up looking like they are about to go run errands or sit on the couch and watch TV. Ads that portray women as less than society’s view of beautiful would not sell the product, which was brought up in my other class. But why would they not sell? How did society come to this point where advertising companies need to objectify women to sell their product? I can’t answer this question and neither could my classmates. But we did come to the realization that because society is us, we have made it this way and we will have to change it. A company cannot change the system. An institution is not going to change by itself. People need to change and make change.

*My video refused to load so here is the link - http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1993368502337678412#

Inequality in Schools Based on Race and Social Class

Article : http://swirlinc.wordpress.com/2009/09/22/separate-and-unequal-a-structural-analysis-of-educational-inequality-in-america/

A child must not feel powerless. However, the American school system has provided a structure of social inequality that acts as a barrier for intellectual growth. As mentioned in the article, students of low socioeconomic status must cope with the loss of motivation and the injustices of poor housing, economic hardships, and unemployment. The educational institutions in their neighborhoods only further their disenfranchisement as the infrastructure, the resources, and the attention given to the students is minimal because in the eyes of society that’s what they deserve. Their lives are labeled by words and actions of failure. So since whiteness works, the rest should just bear with it? The 21st century is reproducing historic calamities such as segregation and discrimination in a manner that goes unnoticed, but defines itself in the way our organizations work. The Latinos and Blacks are left with shattered hopes. Thus, they’re shoved to feel like outsiders, a position where they don’t threaten the privileges available to the affluent Whites.
Moreover, the students are not only battered by poverty and crime at home but in the only place that can serve as a shelter they’re confronted with a deaf and blind educational system. Instead of white walls they have graffiti, instead of hardwood floors they have cracks and mildew, instead of books and computers they’re given the minimum. They’re seen as the minimum. Their possibilities to advance or even believe in the ideals of school are viewed as unreachable because of the concept Anyon discusses as the “social stratification of knowledge.” Although their teachers adjust the pedagogy to them, these educators are also constrained by the lack of available resources from the government and most of the time they take out of their own pockets to have posters on their walls or markers in a classroom. The effort to end the inequality of school funding is not present in America.
I ask myself, how can race or social class be sufficient to deny a child from something so valuable? For instance, the attached video titled “A Tale of Two Schools” reflects this imbalance. The Black teen questions what makes him unworthy of having the same materials and opportunities as the white school across the street, because unquestionably they are all students. The disadvantaged are conscious of the monetary benefits that other schools receive in the form of funding and unfortunately they adapt to how others perceive them. It’s disheartening to think that a child walks to school with the mindset that he might not have enough lunch money or that his class doesn’t have the money for a fieldtrip. It’s even more disheartening that they internalize a passive acceptance for this situation. Even when they do protest, their voices are heard, but the ignorance of a society that works triumphs.

Video:


Article#1:http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/08/nyregion/08specialized.html?_r=1&pagewanted=2
Article#2: http://www.wrcbtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=10379911
Article#3: http://www.miamiherald.com/multimedia/news/americas/mexico/side1.html

Gender Ambiguity in the Olympics

http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/news/story?id=4409318

The article “Gender Testing Requested for runner Caster Semenya” discusses South African runner, Caster Semenya, who recently has sparked controversy after winning the 800 meter run at the World Championship. This controversy involves her true gender. Although entering herself into competitions as a female competitor, many wins along with her “masculine physique” and deep voice, has led to questioning by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF). The IAAF is investigating whether or not Semenya is cheating by using steroids or other illegal substances or by entering herself as a female even though she is male. To investigate, the IAAF is performed a round of complex gender tests.

The results from these gender tests show that Semenya is a Hermaphrodite, meaning she has both male and female reproductive organs. She has female external genitalia but internally, instead of a womb, has two undescended testes which produce three times the amount of testosterone a typical female has. Further meetings of the IAAF will determine how to handle this situation, because in fact Semenya is not cheating.

Imagine living your whole life as a female, but then one day finding out that you are male too. Then imagine finding this out in the public spotlight, with much media attention surrounding you. The news is not only hard to take but also extremely humiliating for Semenya who had to face this controversy basically in front of the entire world. She was raised as a female, someone’s daughter.

The situation that comes into play here is the difference between sex and gender. Sex is biologically based, as to whether you have female, male, or intersexual reproductive organs. As we have discovered, Semenya is intersexual. However, gender is socially constructed as the role in society one follows. Certain aspects are set aside as male and masculine and same for female and feminine. With gender, there is not much in between; it is basically one way or the other to fit into societal norms. Semenya’s gender is female. She has grown up and lived her life thus far as a female. To publicly deny her right to say she is female is outrageous. To enter herself into competition now as a female is even a larger controversy. Although she is not cheating by competing as a female, she may not be allowed to continue as a female, because she has too many masculine characteristics. Furthermore, she may lose her gold metals.

If she is not allowed to compete as a female, she may also not be allowed to compete as a male. Where does she stand in competition? The rules are so specific to sex, yet have no real specific rules as to what to do with intersexual athletes. Sex and gender are not as black and white of concepts as they are made out to be in society. Plus, gender is based on personal construction and to deny someone’s beliefs of who he or she is is wrong. Fortunately, intersexual (ambiguous) cases will be brought up to the Olympic Committee, hopefully recognizing the sex differences, so athletes similar to Caster Semenya can continue to compete.

Video:

http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory?id=8542714

Related Articles:

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/10/27/sports/AP-OLY-IOC-Gender-Cases.html?_r=1&scp=8&sq=caster%20semenya&st=cse

http://www.cnn.com/2009/SPORT/09/11/athletics.semenya.gender.iaaf/index.html

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/2009/09/10/2009-09-10_caster_semenya_.html