LAST BLOG 0_o?! I'm having extremely mixed feelings about this being the last blog that I'll do for this class. In a sense I'm happy because I'm out of school for Summer, but in the back of my mind I know that I'll miss this because it's brought so much out of me, really out of all of us. I reminiscence on my first blog and remember thinking "What am I doing?-I don't want people reading my thoughts!", but now things are different for me. Because I'm not so much of a talker, it is easier for me to have people read my thoughts, rather then me trying to express them vocally.  Before all of the blogging, and class discussions I really thought that I was alone in my thoughts and feelings; I thought that I was the only one experiencing all of this, but we were all battling with our own realities.

    I've learned so much about myself over the past few months and it's so hard for me to comprehend how far I've come as an individual. I notice myself seeing situations differently, and dealing with adversity in a much different manner. This class has seemed like a therapy session, allowing me to vent and have the emotions that I need to express at any given moment. Even if I didn't blog or talk about all of my feelings in class, I was still able to discuss these matters with friends and gain more then just my own insight into matters that we discussed in class.

     You all have taught me so much, whether you believe it or not. I have learned so much more about my peers and your motivations for wanting to become social workers. This class has gotten me so involved in more then just myself. I've gotten to meet some amazing people and come together to share our struggles with social justice, and what we feel should be done. This has been an amazing semester and I look forward to seeing all of you next semester:)!!

I'll leave you with a really cliche song, but it's gotten me through so much:)!! Until next time...

This past week has caused me to reflect on a number of things that encapsulate my life. The project in general has caused me to look at my life and the things in it in a completely different light. There are millions of people that go without basic needs, things that I try not to take for granted, but in retrospect I take a lot for granted. This project has been at the forefront of my mind for the past month, partially because it's part of the course requirement, but mainly because this population really has my heart.

The stereotypes of being homeless could potentially hurt more than actually being homeless (I was raised to call homeless individuals neighbors, so in this blog when I refer to a neighbor, I'm speaking of a homeless individual). When interviewing individuals most of them were more hurt by the way people treated them, rather then their unwillingness to help. We tend to stereotype all homeless individuals into categories into that consist of drug abusers and lazy people; rather than seeing them as battered women, veterans, or teens that escaped abuse.

 A while ago, in the midst of a somewhat busy day I happened to be walking down the drag with nothing but the worries of the day on my mind. There was a neighbor sitting on the stoop of a church, and I was about to completely bypass him, without even noticing that he was there, he yelled to me "MISS!!", and out of my daze I glanced at him with an expression on my face that read "WHAT DO YOU WANT!"...he then flashed his sign and it read "Could you spare a smile?". That day I believe was the lowest day I've had in a long time. I was so engulfed in my own life at the time,  I didn't have a minute to spare for someone else. I didn't think about other peoples needs, or what they are going through, I was selfish in my thoughts, and that is not the person that I am, or who I want to be.

I think that that particular day spurred my interest in the homeless community even more then before. That's when I began volunteering at the Trinity center and committing my time and energy to something bigger than myself. When our group came up with the concept for project H, I was somewhat nonchalant on the outside, but beaming on the inside. Austin is doing so much for the homeless population, but there are so many other things that could be done, if people could simply spare a little time and money. Homelessness will not cease over night, but we can certainly change the community one step at a time.

Also, thank you all who've already contributed to the food drive:)!!!

     There was once a time when our elders were revered, but now many of us treat them as if they are lacking physically and mentally and can no longer take care of themselves. In the Adams text it states that even though elders could live for seventy years they are still capable of functioning as a forty year old.

I am guilty of just this thing. I never realized that I was treating my Nana (grandmother) so disrespectfully. She’s been here for seventy-six years and now I feel as though I have the right to question her motives and every move she makes. I feel like her growing age effects all of us. We all worry about her health and her well being, but we struggle giving her the independence she deserves. My family doesn't mean to treat her as though she's incompetent or can't take care of herself, but at times it seems inevitable.

I found this clip that reminded me of different types of ageism...

On another note, I also struggle with the the replacement of older female news anchors with younger ones. It's not enough that we live in a world where we are constantly engulfed with trying to age gracefully and look younger than our years, but we are losing jobs because of it, and promoting this unhealthy lifestyle to our children.  Like this Walmart ad...

Ageism is a constant struggle for all of us. Whether it's trying to look younger or act older then your years we all have difficulties trying to adjust to the world. I couldn't imagine being older and trying to transition into this world where we have computers, and cell phones and all of this technology that even takes me a while to adapt to. I went home a month ago and tried to teach my Nana how to use my touch screen phone and it was extremely difficult for her. I know that I keep referring to my Nana, but that's really the only older adult that I can relate to.

I found this pic that I thought was culturally taboo.

Question: Is me thinking that this should be considered taboo a sign of my own ageism?

Ableism

When I read the word Ableism, my mind usually tunes into the concepts of "the ability to do something". Then my mind starts to wonder if I constantly thank God for the ability to walk, read, breath, simple everyday tasks, or if I'm taking these things for granted. After my initial thoughts, I tend to feel guilty because of all the things that I'm able to do while there are millions of people out there that aren't. I am a part of what the world considers "normal", and honestly would I trade that, no, but by no means does it give me the right the negate the fact that the the world see's people with disabilities as "abnormal".

People tend to look at people with disabilities as inadequate or incapable of doing the things that the "norm" can do, but that is what needs to change. In one of the the chapters As Much Love as You Can Muster the author Lesley Jones who wasn't diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome until he was an adult,  discussed how growing up he wished that adults would have focused on what he could do, rather than what he couldn't do. People constantly looked as he pitfalls instead of what he could achieve and how far he'd come though he struggled.

I truly believe that society has poisoned our minds to make us believe that different is wrong, and the inability to conform to the norm is unacceptable. It's common that most people think of the loss of limbs, or someone of special needs when thinking about people that are disabled, and we sometimes fail to realize that disabilities come in all shapes, forms and fashions. I feel that when exploring the world of disability it is important to look at all aspects and not just focus on what society has proclaimed as different.

This may be taboo to bring up, but I feel as though it is important; when having encounters with people that are labeled as disabled some people don't know how to approach them. You don't know whether to look and acknowledge that they are there, or not look out of fear that they'll thinking that you're staring; I think that it may be an uncomfortable situation for all people involved.

On another note, my friend and I were discussing this topic and she shared this video with me. It amazes my mine that people have such small minds and are so hurtful. The title of this video had the word UGLY in it which completely blew my mind..."anywho" here goes...

This topic just really has my head fuming.........

I feel as though I ranted enough last week about how frustrating sexism is to me, but I guess this will be part 2. I know that there are different forms of sexism and that it isn't mutually exclusive to women, but women have and may always be at the forefront of this topic. Last week I spent majority of the my blog discussing women, I think it's the men's turn this week.

This entire semester I seem to have been wishing on stars. Wishing that my mistakes will not be contributed to my race, wishing that people would start caring about others, wishing that inequality would some how disappear, wishing that discrimination no longer existed, wishing that people would see that I'm here based on merits not a top ten percent rule, and now I have to delve into sexism?

I thoroughly enjoyed the conversation in class in which we discussed why men aren't taking on "female roles" and "female jobs". It's about time that it was brought up that the decision to not partake in "women's work" is based on salary, not the description or nature of the job. I may be wrong, but this is an opinion piece.  In many ways I feel as though women along with societal pressures are somewhat to blame for men not taking on these roles. I know plenty of women that would not date a man that was a secretary, a child care worker, or an elementary school teacher, simply because of it's consideration as a "woman's job" and it's not considered manly enough. They feel as though he's not masculine enough, or couldn't provide for his family if he's doing "woman's work". Well, if a man knows that he's not going to be able to have a relationship or date as he pleases then why would he continue in that field. It's the same as when men are stay at home dads they constantly get haggled about not having a job, but when a woman does it then she's superwoman.

We live in a world full of double standards, and it's going to take people like us to overcome it. Society formulates what is normal and abnormal for a man and a woman to do, and we go along with it. I found this commercial that I just thought, WOW, is this really the standard that I place on men, unconsciously?

Now back to the women for a second....

I recently viewed this commercial and I wasn't offended, but I was constantly reminded of how women are perceived by some men. This idea that we can't fix a drain without a man, or that we're going to lust after the handyman is outrageous.It seems to that women are simply supposed to be sexual, no intelligence, no will power, no goals, just a sexual being put here for men. I'm sure most of you have seen it, but just in case you haven't..here goes. 

     It's hard to believe that sexism still exists. I literally just thought to myself "it's 2012 and we're still fighting for equality, seriously?" I constantly wonder what is it that makes people think women are inferior. Is it our caring nature, our ability to love, or our sensitivity (keeping in mind that all women are not like that)? In most countries women are considered inferior to men and aren't granted the same opportunities, there lie's a constant glass ceiling. But upon reading Zinn's text I began to think about how some of the cultures that he discusses are headed by women, which by the way astonished me. He stated that "women in the Plains Indian tribes of the Midwest did not have farming duties but had a very important place in the tribe as healers, herbalists, and sometimes holy people who gave advice." (Zinn, 2010, p. 104) With that I think, now why is it that in some religions women can't be  in charge of the church? Why can't America have the same standards as others in regard to treating women with respect?  Women have come so far only to hit the glass ceiling once again.

      It seems as though women can't be beautiful, smart, and intelligent in today's society. It's a shame that women in politics or business can't show that they have a well maintained shape in fear of not being taken seriously. What kind of society do we live in where women have to hide there feminism in order for our ideas to have precedence? What does it say to the younger generation when older female anchors get replaced by younger "prettier" reporters? Seriously, what kind of example are we setting? If you so happen to have an enlarged chest, then some see you as a "bimbo" and you can't possibly be smart (obvious sarcasm). I know I have more questions then answers, but this topic is extremely difficult for me. It's hard to know that regardless of my career, most likely a man with the same educational background will make more then me.

     Honestly, I'm constantly thinking about sexism because of the field that I one day hope to enter. I love social work, but after I graduate I plan on entering the Air Force. I know that this field is male dominated, especially the officers, but I can't help where my passion lies. I'm having to prepare myself for some of the names I'm going to be called, the way I'm going to be judged, knowing that people think that "I'm not going to be able to do it because I'm not as strong as a man". I would be lying if I stated that I'm not nervous. I'm nervous because I'm an African american female (officer hopeful), entering a Caucasian male dominated field, so only God knows how this experience will be.

I found this video that I thought was quite interesting and worth sharing. Any who, I'll leave you with your thoughts.

As much as I try to, I can't seem to get the Walmart documentary out of my head. I sat there the whole film trying to fight back tears. I felt as though I was partially responsible for what was happening to thousands of businesses that were affected because of the Walmart enterprise.  Personally I shop their religiously. As a college student I look for the best bargains, and now I know the truth behind why I'm able to pay so little.

It's now become a parody every time I witness a Walmart commercial. They don't care about their employees, the communities they invade or how or if they're able to survive. They just seem to care about overworking the already overworked and collecting every dime they can in the process. I have friends and family that work at Walmart and most of them don't even know that they are getting "screwed".  The High Price of Low Cost couldn't have been a more appropriate title for this documentary.


Walmart affects so many lives that I didn't even know existed. Of everything that this documentary entailed I think that the hardest thing for me to get over will be the workers that lived in the horrendous dorms of China. I can't believe that they expected people to live in those dorms, work all day for three dollars a day, produce quality products and be able to feed their families on that  wage. It will forever and always continue to boggle my mind. I may be extreme in saying this, but from now on, Walmart will never see another dime of my money.

They are punishing people for wanting to have a decent living and a chance at a better life by establishing a union. For years people work at Walmart, and for little to nothing. I for one refuse to be a part of anything that involves Walmart, until they make better choices for the people that buy from them and work for them.