A current event that really grabbed my attention was the incidental shooting of two college students by two Mexican soldiers. This current event is extremely important because the victims were college students. By me being a college student, I imagine that this could have been me or one of my friends that were killed.
As I read the article on CNN.com, I focused on the dialogue used in the article. The author of the article was very apologetic with her dialogue and word usage. The patrol officers accidental shot two innocent students standing on the campus after searching for criminals who shot at the patrol officers. When security becomes careless when entering a campus environment, that is when security is no longer safe.
I continued to read the apology from campus administration to the parents and there are no words that can express the emotional hurt of the parents of the victims, the insecurity that other students feel, and the negative image Mexico's security has created for themselves. I compare this situation to Jasmine Lynn's death on Clark Atlanta's campus. Even though both shootings were not aimed at the victims, its amazing how the incident in Mexico was committed by people who are suppose to make people feel safe. It is amazing how incidents like these happen every year and people seem to refer to these as freak accidents. However, when will it get to a point when society understands that certain situations cause for people to take responsibility for when things go wrong.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Handicapped Through Technology
Many people believe that the advancements in technology have positive effects on society. However, the advancements in technology are actually handicapping the new generation in many ways.
My generation and the youth that follow my generation depend on technology to guide and live our lives. The use of computers, cell phones, ipods, GPS systems, televisions and other devices are crippling my generation and I from learning for ourselves like our parents and grandparents were forced to do. For example, I use my GPS system to go to the same church every Sunday. But one Sunday I left it in my room and I could not trust my own memory to direct me to church. I was so dependent on my GPS getting me to church that this one time I became handicapped in my own ability to use my brain.
Even though advancements in technology have allowed my generation to receive, remember, and organize information in a more concise manner, we are too dependent on technology. It is my fear that my generation will not have the wise guidance and knowledge of our parents because we have been raised by technology. Therefore, it is our responsibility to allow technology to be secondary to old fashion way of learning so we will not be handicapped and controlled by it.
My generation and the youth that follow my generation depend on technology to guide and live our lives. The use of computers, cell phones, ipods, GPS systems, televisions and other devices are crippling my generation and I from learning for ourselves like our parents and grandparents were forced to do. For example, I use my GPS system to go to the same church every Sunday. But one Sunday I left it in my room and I could not trust my own memory to direct me to church. I was so dependent on my GPS getting me to church that this one time I became handicapped in my own ability to use my brain.
Even though advancements in technology have allowed my generation to receive, remember, and organize information in a more concise manner, we are too dependent on technology. It is my fear that my generation will not have the wise guidance and knowledge of our parents because we have been raised by technology. Therefore, it is our responsibility to allow technology to be secondary to old fashion way of learning so we will not be handicapped and controlled by it.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Passion behind the Counter
When I was at home last week, I was in charge of picking up the cake for my niece from a local bakery. I called the bakery to receive directions to the business. When the assistant at the bakery picked up the phone, she responded to all my questions with an attitude. I asked all my questions with complete patience and respect. This made me think about the passion that people have towards customers.
I look for first hand assistance and courtesy when I am purchasing items. Someone being disrespectful towards me can be the difference in my buying an item or not. Living in the south, I was raised to always using manners at all times. Even if people made me mad, placed a smile on my face, or totally ignored me I always responded to them with respect and a gentle smile. I have carried this same attitude to college.
It bothers me that many people do not use manners on a regular basis. I honestly believe that having passion behind the counter is the key to a business being successful and maintain relationships with the customers. It is much easier to have a positive attitude rather than a negative one.
I look for first hand assistance and courtesy when I am purchasing items. Someone being disrespectful towards me can be the difference in my buying an item or not. Living in the south, I was raised to always using manners at all times. Even if people made me mad, placed a smile on my face, or totally ignored me I always responded to them with respect and a gentle smile. I have carried this same attitude to college.
It bothers me that many people do not use manners on a regular basis. I honestly believe that having passion behind the counter is the key to a business being successful and maintain relationships with the customers. It is much easier to have a positive attitude rather than a negative one.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Picking The Right Coffin
On February 22, I attended a Black History event in the art gallery of Trevor Arnett hosted by the men of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Beta Psi Chapter. This was my first event that I have attended in the Hale Woodruff Art Gallery. The event was the first event of the week. It focused on the lyrical aspect of how African Americans can express themselves through songs and poetry. However, one poem by the name of "Picking Your Coffin" triggered a discussion in my mind.
The poem focused my attention towards my cousin of sixteen years old who was placed in jailed two weeks ago. My cousin, whose name I will not refer to, was raised in a loving house where God came first, family second, and education third. On the otherhand, my cousin has decided to divert away from the principles in which he was raised on. I almost began crying when his sister informed that he was in jail. My family and I always scared him by saying, "if you countinue to misbehave you will end up in jail or worse." My cousin has reached the point to where his parents can no longer pick when and where his coffin shall appear. Meaning, his parents will no longer be able to dictate his future and the decisions he will make.
The poem made an extended metaphor how picking your coffin is connected to picking the decisions that one makes in life. Therefore, I have realized that when we are younger our parents have a major hand in shaping our future. At a young age, the friends we pick, the church we attend, the clothes we wear, and other aspects of life are controled by our parents. Furthermore, the coffin symbolizes death and the reality that we will all die one day. However, it is up to us to realize how soon we want to enter the coffin. Picking our coffin is deteremined by the life we live now. We are only given the chance to live on earth one time. Each day we are molding ourselves for life after death. Therefore, we need to make great choices so we can live long, healthy lives and that day when our coffin has to be picked will be far a way.
The poem focused my attention towards my cousin of sixteen years old who was placed in jailed two weeks ago. My cousin, whose name I will not refer to, was raised in a loving house where God came first, family second, and education third. On the otherhand, my cousin has decided to divert away from the principles in which he was raised on. I almost began crying when his sister informed that he was in jail. My family and I always scared him by saying, "if you countinue to misbehave you will end up in jail or worse." My cousin has reached the point to where his parents can no longer pick when and where his coffin shall appear. Meaning, his parents will no longer be able to dictate his future and the decisions he will make.
The poem made an extended metaphor how picking your coffin is connected to picking the decisions that one makes in life. Therefore, I have realized that when we are younger our parents have a major hand in shaping our future. At a young age, the friends we pick, the church we attend, the clothes we wear, and other aspects of life are controled by our parents. Furthermore, the coffin symbolizes death and the reality that we will all die one day. However, it is up to us to realize how soon we want to enter the coffin. Picking our coffin is deteremined by the life we live now. We are only given the chance to live on earth one time. Each day we are molding ourselves for life after death. Therefore, we need to make great choices so we can live long, healthy lives and that day when our coffin has to be picked will be far a way.
Friday, February 5, 2010
I Am Black History
February is the month that the entire United States is suppose to reflect on the struggle, accomplishments, and the perseverance of African Americans throughout history. However, this year I am focusing on how I can reveal in my daily life that "I am Black History." This is really an interesting topic of discussion.
Many people do not realize how we can really embody and demonstrate the characters of Black History. I believe that simply knowledge of Black History and the sharing of information with others demonstrate your desire to contribute to the past of Black History. However, I think people could do a better job of showing the importance of Black History. For example, the small acts of reading the newspaper daily to acquire hidden knowledge or doing community service once a month because it is the right thing to do. If people remembered the basics of why our history as blacks is so powerful, I think that many issues that occur today would disappear.
I plan on showing that "I am Black History",this year, by reading more books directed towards my personal development, doing more community service that will give back to African Americans, establishing a relationship with God that is unbreakable, and educating others on the history that has been made thus far in BLACK AMERICA.
I honestly believe that 2010 is the year of Victory, transformation, and work. Therefore, my daily life will be an example of my desire to breathe, live, and spread the true reality of BLACK history.
Many people do not realize how we can really embody and demonstrate the characters of Black History. I believe that simply knowledge of Black History and the sharing of information with others demonstrate your desire to contribute to the past of Black History. However, I think people could do a better job of showing the importance of Black History. For example, the small acts of reading the newspaper daily to acquire hidden knowledge or doing community service once a month because it is the right thing to do. If people remembered the basics of why our history as blacks is so powerful, I think that many issues that occur today would disappear.
I plan on showing that "I am Black History",this year, by reading more books directed towards my personal development, doing more community service that will give back to African Americans, establishing a relationship with God that is unbreakable, and educating others on the history that has been made thus far in BLACK AMERICA.
I honestly believe that 2010 is the year of Victory, transformation, and work. Therefore, my daily life will be an example of my desire to breathe, live, and spread the true reality of BLACK history.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Kerner Plus 40
I think the 40 meant 40 Years!!!!
The short film entitled Kerner Plus 40 was an overview of the status of African Americans in the media. It discussed the difference of blacks representation in the media now and during the Civil Rights Movement.
Many people in the film discussed that even though the representation of blacks has increased in the media, the media still shows some negative views of Afr. Americans that are still hard to crumble. One man in the film, Charles Cammock, believes that making money becomes the biggest element within the media instead of creating equal media responsibility and coverage. This film shines a bright light on the future of media. It also leaves me with the idea that it is up to the young generation of African Americans to work to continue to improve the face of the media.
Monday, January 25, 2010
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