A Web of Issues

by Pablo

In toady's world there are many problems that the world or certain individuals are faced with. As individuals it is our duty to overcome the issues or problem that are afflicting us. If we don't confront the problems while they are small after a while they get bigger. After time if the problem is not solved it becomes almost impossible to solve. That is why it is better to confront problems as soon as they show up.

The housing crisis is a issue that a vast majority of the people in the U.S. are facing. This predicament occurred because the banks gave many loans to people who would not be able to pay them. as a result many people lost their homes. This problem was was caused by a cause and effect. A related issue to the housing crisis is the low stock of the stock market.

The low stocks have not only caused a national recession but a global recession. This recession is linked to the housing crisis in the following sense. The sense is that if one of these two things is doing bad so is the other. Which leads us to think about what was done with all the money that was given to all these major corporations. Yet we do not know what was done with that money but the government wants to continues to give them more money. Many of the major CEO's of important companies continue to give large raises to some of there employees.

Which leads to the topic of corruption. Corruption is one of the main reasons we are in this mess. As mention in the first paragraph if this problem this problem isn't solved soon it is just going to get bigger. The CEO's of these major companies should just take responsibility for their actions. If they don't do it soon thing are just going to get worse for everyone as well as for them. Major companies aren't they only areas that have become corrupt an example of this is the following. The example is former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich trying to to sell president Obamas vacant senate seat. The point I am trying to make is that corruption is everywhere.

Which leads to my conclusion that problems need to be taken care of when they are small. There are many more examples of this that apply to other issues. So it is important to take this into perspective. Even more important is to practice this. That concludes this article.

Photo Credit
Flickr Creative Commons
http://www.flickr.com/photos/foxypar4/2124673642/

vandalized dreams

by Jackie

What do you think of when you see a tagged wall? Are you those kinds of people that think "In what way does it benefit those people that tag up all these walls"? Or do you always think "Poor families that have to pay the consequences for their kid'srediculous actions"? Or something like that. In my point of view, those who fill up the walls their taggings don't just mess up their dreams of being someone in their lives. They never think about the dreams of their younger siblings. When they mess up their dreams if they get caught, they mess up their siblings dreams as well as their own. Also how they ruin their future they ruin their family's future. Not only that, if they get caught the officers are going to put that in his/her record and it will stay perminantly.

When someone sees a person writing on a wall, they should do something. That doesn't only help, it makes less taggers in our country. It's not fair that other people's walls are all tagged up because someone decided to write on someone's wall, fences, and even cars these days, but they don't think that. They just do their drawings on the walls, cars and etc. They don't think that other people have to take the money out of their pocket to get rid of the writing on the walls.

Something else that I have noticed on those people who do that, is that they don't like to regret their actions. They just do it and it's done for them at that moment. Then later when they don't even imagine, they get caught. Some people's biggest mistake is to deny something that the police is sure that you did. So if i were to be one of them, I would not deny whatever I did. If I got caught, then to bad I got caught, but for them it's hard to take the consequences and easy to deny.

When you decide to to write on a car, or a wall you are putting in risk the most important things in your life. First of all your future, the most important thing in someone's life. Then your reputation. When you go out there trying to find a job, that will be in your record. Then also even if you don't notice it, you lose more things than what you gain. When it's to late you will want those real friends back and you won't be able to have them because partically you changed a real friend for those other supposable friend and for tagging.

Some main reasons why people start tagging is for their friends. Some people care more about what their friends think about them. They end up getting into that and other stuff so that their friends don't call them a scarycat or what they call each other pussies. Most of them say "NO I won't get caught" but when they say that they don't realize that they can get caught. Sometimes they don't get caught, those who say that they are their friends snitch on them too. Those who you call friends today will someday be a backstaber, but those who really care about you, get ignored by you because you, instead of thanking that person, you ignore that person and when you realize that that was the real friend, it will be to late or that person won't want to talk to you no more.

Tagging doesn't only destroy walls, it also destroys families. I say that because when a person in your family is a tagger, then your behavior is different and you don't listen and the family gets tired and they can't deal with you no more. So they send you to another place so you can learn to behave. Either you ever want to talk to your parents ever again or not they will still send you. Not because they don't love you no more, because that is why they want to send you, because they love you. If they wouldn't care about you or love you they would let you get caught and then that is when you will regret it.

Photo Credit

Flickr Creative Commons 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/merrickb/82281756/

the issue in our neighborhoods

This home in Las Vegas is similar to the scene in Maryvale

by Eva

When I walk around some of the neighborhoods, they feel empty.  Foreclosure signs litter the streets.  Within the walls of some of the homes, children hope for a next meal.  Parents lie to their children, saying, "It will get better," but they don't know.  The reality is that the economy is hitting them hard.  With the immigration raids and then the collapse of the construction industry, families in our neighborhoods are struggling to make it. 

Many people have lost their jobs during these last few years. People have begun to struggle with money because of the loss of jobs. No money to pay their debts or their necessities means they struggle more. Jobs began to fade away and citizens are desperate to become employed. When citizens are desperate, immigrants are even more so. They simply want to support their family or children. A lot of families are going through difficult times because of the loss of jobs.

For all the immigrants life becomes more complicated each day With the difficulty of not having stable jobs and failing to have a good income, they struggle to raise a family. What start out as a goal for a better life is now just a goal to maintain life. Sometimes they have to eat the same food for days. No money means no groceries and that means no food. They lose their homes and cars because they cannot afford the next payment. Losing jobs is a big issue in the real world. Immigrants really have a harder time with this situation, because the laws have made it so hard for them to work.

Photo Credit 

Flickr Creative Commons

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sadrzy/3406206433/

Adoption

by Andrea

Do they ever think about how it all happened? Why they're there? Do they ever worry about feeling different or out of place?  Or is it normal since that's the way it's always been? Getting adopted and being put up for adoption is something that can be very hard for kids. Anybody can be or get adopted, but that doesn't mean that the issue is easy. They can be adopted from anywhere.Why though? Why do they put them up for adoption? Is adoption the best alternative? It's a sometimes controversial, always personal, decision people make.

There are many different types of adoption out there.There is international adoption, public adoption, private agencies adoption and independent adoption.Each adoption method is different.When you want to adopt from another country then you'd do the international adoption.If you want to do everything on your own you can do independent adoption.There are many different ways you can adopt though. 

About one million children have been adopted or put up for adoption in the year 2008. Now we have started a new year. Will there be more? Will the number be increase? Is it like a solution for a problem? Does a higher adoption rate mean more stable families?  Does it mean lives are being saved because people choose it over abortion?

Is adoption like a solution to a problem? At this time there are young girls who get pregnant. For the girls who decide not to keep their baby they have two alternatives, either abortion or adoption. The reason they choose adoption over abortion could be that they believe abortion isn't right. They feel life within them and they can't imagine getting rid of it. Either way adoption is something many people consider especially young teenagers. They might realize that they are not in a place 

Just like being put up for adoption its something very hard for anyone. Adopting is something you have to think about. Some children who were adopted describe feeling lonely or different.  Some parents who give a child up for adoption describe a sense of guilt.  However, there can be many reasons behind why adopting or putting up for adoption.You really have to think hard. Adopting or being put up for adoption is not an easy thing to decide.You've got to choose the right thing to do,and if adoption is one of them,then so be it.

Photo Credit

Flickr Creative Commons

http://www.flickr.com/photos/seandreilinger/289152748/

From a Dream to a Nightmare

by Guadalupe

Immigration is the most controversial issue here in Arizona and other places all around the world. Well in fact everybody is an immigrant. Not everyone's parents or relatives were born here so that makes you an immigrant to. Perhaps it was your grandparents or great grandparents.  It makes no difference. Joe Arpio needs to recognize that not every immigrant is the same. We are all different and we are all immigrants, so it's ridiculous to label us all as "lawbreakers." 

Have you ever notice that most of the immigrants around here are Latino? We are everywhere we are moving around the whole world! It would be easy for people to see this and get scared.  They might see us as "taking over."  But most of the immigrants are leaving a nation that doesn't have enough opportunties. Many of us act the same way: friendly. There is always a question in my head, "Why do some Americana's treat us differently?"  We are all the same. We are humans. We are all on a journey, whether from one nation to another or from one part of our life to the next.  Everybody does the same things and and goes to the same place. We go to the same grave.  We will all end up tossed into a hole in the same rugged earth. So why treat others differently? Are we really that different if by simply beginning at a different location?

We are the same. I realize that many immigrants speak a different language and are from a different place. Some of the customs and culture might seem strange.  But hang around us and you'll see that we have the same types of families and we engage in the same activities.  What seems different at first becomes something that all humans do.  We eat. We drink. We play. We laugh. 

Certain Americans discriminate toward immigrants in the same way they did to the African Americans. The person that hates us most is the sheriff Joe Arpaio, who is essentially the Bull Connor of our generation. He is always coming out in the news with a lot of prisoners and they are all immigrants.  He has even set up a hotline for paranoid racists to secretly spy on neighbors. I don't know what we did to him so that he can start discriminating us like that! I can't think of a person more racist than him and there are lots of people that are racist but not as much as him.  I think of how the Holocaust started and it was with ideas like this.  It was with the racism, the stereotypes, the scapegoating and labelling.

I have Uncles that have talked to me in the phone and they say that there wasn't any people there in Mexico anymore and with this of Joe Arpio and other people like him and the United States are taking everybody back.  So now Mexico is staring to fill up again with people that left to the United States.  Also many people are leaving because the houses are to expensive now and Joe Arpio is telling the business owners that they are going to take there buildings and close them. So there aren't jobs for immigrants anymore and yet the deportations lead to a worse housing crisis and a lack of labor and our economy plummets. 

The Pledge of Allegiance here for the United States say that it is the land of the free and the home of the brave. There isn't freedom and there aren't brave people to say something when Joe Arpio is taking the family's apart! I don't see brave people here I just remember somebody that died for being brave and standing up for the African Americans and that was Martin Luther King Jr. They killed him because he was brave to stand up for his own racist.There has to be a person like that and like Cesar Chavez he was a leader in favor of the immigrant he helped them a lot he made people respect them more and I think that he was great leader but to bad that he died he would of helped us a lot.

This isn't the land of the free anymore! It is the land of the racism and the injustice! We once had the American Dream but now they're turning it into the American Nightmare. 

Photo Credit

Flickr Creative Commons

http://www.flickr.com/photos/walkadog/3335526188/

The Immigrant Dream

The rallies suggest what many immigrants know: that we share a common American dream, because we are all immigrants

by Manny

Immigrants are those people who come here to look for the American Dream, who look upon their future looking to be a successful person, who think beyond their life right now and see themselves in a great paying business with a family that they love. They see themselves confronting all sorts of challenges that they are willing to take to reach their goals as a person.They challenge one of the most toughest things crossing the border to take one giant step into reaching their goals and their life.

Many immigrants take probably the most toughest challenge of their life. They risk it all the probability of losing their life to look for that bright future. They realize that in this great country their are most opportunities to succeed as a person and in their life. That in this country everybody can succeed. They can do whatever they want just by going to school and having the best education.

There some anti immigrants that make it so much harder for the immigrants to reach their goals. They provoke these immigrants to go back to their country because the "migra" is after every immigrants and sending them back to their country. One such man is Sheriff Joe who is filled with hate that fuels his even higher need for publicity. Arpaio is after all the immigrants and sending then back, destroying their dreams and future to become a successful person in their life. What he fails to see is that the very law he claims to uphold is meant to be below the even higher law of freedom and the values of America.

Another barrier is scapegoating. Immigrants get blamed when this country is in a crisis. Certain Americans think that the immigrants had everything to do with this problem, when, in reality, the immigrants are the ones who help this country.Who many of the workers help in construction building houses or anything else.They do those little paying jobs that help in there own certain way. Do you like the food you ate? It was probably an immigrant who picked it and planted it. Do you like your home? It was an immigrant who built it. How about that restaraunt you go to? Again, an immigrant prepared your food.

Should immigrants go back to their country? Or should they stay here and give these people a chance to succeed in life? Immigrants only come here to make the best of their opportunities
to succeed in life like I am. They come here to get the education, job and family and to actually be someone who likes their life and are proud of it. It's the immigrant dream and no matter what the law is, it will remain.

Photo Source
Flickr Creative Commons
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jvoves/110572067/

The Unspoken Hope in Maryvale

Service: the side of Maryvale that often goes unnoticed

by Melissa

Looking down, realizing that you're being watched and you've made a first impression. Sometimes they don't go as well. First impressions, yeah they are tough. A judgment made with only one thought, without a story of what is shown. That's what people get from Maryvale. Our reputation isn't the best but others don't get the opportunity or desire to see the other side of it. So they miss all the goodness of our area, because they go on thinking about what's wrong. That's too bad, because they miss out on what we have here.

Within Maryvale, most neighbors are pretty friendly. Of course you're going to have annoying people once in a while, but still it's all good. They might and are meant to be different, but that only means we have a chance to learn from our own diversity. People here aren't exactly what I've heard others talk about. They are better than all of that. Over time you start talking and befriending people which only makes it that much better. People are quick to jump to the "thugs and gangsters" stereotypes, but visit any neighborhood and you'll see families and friends, hard-working, honest people and a common dream for a safe community.

With homes, parks, libraries and other places to our area, that is quite swell. Most neighborhoods have a park where kids, and adults can go play or exercise. Also, Maryvale offers a library to help with books filled of great interesting things and activities that student or anybody can do. It's a community like any other. What makes it unique and somewhat special to us is the memories that this place holds for us.

It may seem like an unlikely place to be because of everything you hear, yet here we are. Our surroundings might not be the best but they are a part of it all. True, we have graffiti. Yes, we have areas of crime. But no matter what people may say, this place is truly great. It feels safe. It feels like home.

Even with all the awesome things, we are willing to improve. We can change the bad and build on the good. We've done things to better the community to help change the perspective of those who put us down, and to better ourselves in the process. Our school was beautified by wonderful murals, all representing something that is true and deep. That's what the community gets for being the community. It's an artistic way to say, "thank you for supporting our youth." We have students who volunteer for food banks and who paint over the tagging. We hope to be the change that transforms this place.

That's what's been going on recently, and I hope will continue for the years to come. Good,bad, however you see it, this is the community of Maryvale. A place unknown for it's goodness. The place behind the curtains overlooked by something that is more out there. It's only going to get better. Those people talking don't know what it's like here so they have no clue. No matter what, where, when something about our community is being talked about pretty soon (I hope) It's all going to be good stuff.

Education and Immigration

by Jessica

In some countries going to school is a challenge every day. Some teens have to take the school bus for hours just to get to get there! We whine because we have to get up at 6:30 in the morning, imagine at what time they get up at. Some teens have to work and support their families and study at the same time. With out "papers" you have to get jobs that get paid minimum wage. Do you think minimum wage is going to support a family when there's only one person working a part time job with a minimum wage pay? This is just one of the many dynamics that occur in the issue of immigration and education.

Today many of us don't take advantage of one of the greatest opportunity's we ever have in life!! Many of the citizen students drop out because of drugs, others because of alcohol others just because they cant stand their parents at home and they decide to run away but its not everyone's case. Immigrant students who avoid these things can end up with a dead-end after working hard!

There are some youth out there that wanted to become someone in this world a teacher, a doctor perhaps a lawyer but because of being in this country "illegally" they can't. . . they just made it past high school and their future is over, they have to go get a job that gets paid minimum wage. You think that's fair that one person passed high school with out standing grades but he has to get a job at nine dollars an hour while someone else passes by with a free lunch.

A new law passed that immigrants can go to college but the cost is going to be more (their going to charge immigrants more than they would charge a citizen) okay their getting the chance to get educated but their going to be charged more than the average kid would get charged. So just because you don't have a piece of paper signed by your parents saying that you were born in the united states your going to get charged extra. What ever happened to the American Dream?

When some one says "I'm going to get it my way" I'm pretty sure they don't say it just for fun when some one really wants something they fight for it. So if your dream is to become a doctor, lawyer, firefighter a cop a private investigator what ever you want to be fight for it!!! If you don't have papers, help change the laws! Maybe it's going to be a long way to reach your goal, maybe people are going to try to stop you their going to TRY to take you down but don't let people stop you.

Today immigration and education are becoming a big issue in our everyday lives. If we don't do something about its going to keep on going. Good students will be failed by the system. So I challenge you to take the risk and fight for your goals no matter what happens keep trying. We need to set an example for the ones to come. WE need to make this day a better day so tomorrow.

Photo Credit

Flickr Creative Commons

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lmilliron/3221133195/

Racism: Belief System, Attitude or Behavior?

Simply getting rid of the action didn't get rid of the racism

by Martin

We all experience. A glance here. A slur there. A joke. A stereotype. It's racism. We can find examples of it all over our world. But what is it exactly? Many people know what racism is but they don't know if it is an attitude, behavior, or belief system. People have different opinions. My opinion is that people think that racism an attitude, but I think it's more than that.

To me racism is belief syste. After all, how would racist people know what kind of race not to like? It has to begin with a belief. They think that the race they don't like are bad or not good enough. Not all the people might not think that. Racism is kind of an attitude and behavior. Racist people act and behave differently around the race they don't like. Still, it all begins with an initial belief about another race. It might be a misguided idea, but it's still a belief.

Racist people behave differently around the race they don't like. They might walk away if they're close to them. They may start talking to their friends and make jokes about them. You see this happen everyday. Joe Arpio treats immigrants different than non immigrants. This is what I mean about people behaving different. It would be easy to say, "See, it's a behavior." But stopping the behavior won't stop racism. We're not dogs to be trained. We're people with deep beliefs that influence actions.

People that are racist to other cultures should stop. They might cause some huge problems. They might get killed or something. People have killed because people have insulted their race. This has happen before. They just take everything personal. Their behavior is good when their with their race, but when they are with another race their attitude is different. So, the behavior goes down, because the attitude went down. But the attitude went down when there was a bad belief system.

Racism is a belief system that has existed for years. No one can figure out how to stop it. Everyone is trying to persuade people to not be racist. But we focus on behaviors. We say, "Don't say this" or "Don't do this" or "Don't act this way." However, it needs to begin with, "What do you believe deep down inside and how can that change?" Can you figure out a way to stop it?

Photo Credit

Public Domain Photograph

Victory Among All Barriers

by Stephany

What defines a leader, is it the strength that one has to stand up for what they believe? Or is it the a person who is born with the gene of courage willing to fight for others? Maybe, it's the ability that one has to persevere even in the toughest of situations. Many philosophers have asked themselves this difficult question and yet they find it impossible to define a true leader in an everyday circumstance. History has been existent since the beginning of time, and has describe what our people have through, whether its cruel punishments, or glorious victories. From those agonizing situations have grown, what in my definition, are true, dedicated leaders. Any person has to overcome obstacles in life, but during the fight of women's rights only women who desired the best for the upcoming generations fought until they had no strength and energy left in themselves.

Feminists like Susan B. Anthony particularly, is the major reason why every single woman now have many of the rights we were limited until the fight for justice. In the year of 1852 Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Amelia Bloomer joined forces to fight for suffrage and equal pay. After a few years Susan formed alliances with Lucy Stone, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Lucretia Mott, to help create a new association called American Equal Rights Association. A year later this association became involved in Kansas where both African Americans and women suffrage was determined. Although hopes were high both were neglected at the polls and on 1868 Elizabeth and Susan developed the political weekly named Revolution. By the year of 1869 Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton formed a new organization named NWSA, which stands for National Women Suffrage Association. Susan B. Anthony went to an extreme level of trying to vote in an election in Rochester and was caught red handed, arrested and on top of it all, was charged and declared guilty of "violating women's rights". People like Susan B. Anthony who take high risks for standing up for what they believe in always receive what they desire even if it takes time and effort to obtain it.

Our voice has been hidden, our lives have been judged, now all that remains is the hope inside us. The "battle" towards women's rights had only one goal, liberating the women of this country truly by obtaining their civil rights. Of course many women weren't allowed to be apart of this revolution, and were kept in silence, their lives simply dedicated to the men of the household and acting in "proper manner". Yet we still had women willing to fight with every strength of their body and tried to resist violent influences. All women were aware that this particular battle was man against woman, which would be even more difficult to come out of this predicament as victorious. Every woman reunited to obtain their rights, one of the methods used was picketing. Females would surround the grounds of the white house pleading, silently, and symbolically, for rights. While at first times were tough and not a single change was made, they weren't discouraged and yet again protested until they no longer could stand. Parades were also an efficient method used by women, which showed a quantity of significant symbolical meaning. All gathered for one cause, dressed in only white clothing, representing the peace they will be demonstrating throughout this difficult challenge. Younger toddlers and infants were a major part of this parade, reaching the sentimental side of those on the opposing side, hoping primarily all men would reflect on their thoughts and action towards women's rights. Children resembled the thought of how the future would only bring barriers and unaccomplished goals to their lives if their own mothers weren't granted rights in this generation. Days and nights progressed, and yet again no significant changes, and after so much effort, the only method not used was the most feared, hunger strike. Many women held hunger strikes, yet the worse imaginable occurred, they were disrespected among men and were forced fed. All of these methods were very significant in their unique way and led to what we now have obtained and are still fighting for.

To hear her last words, brings tears to their eyes, for they know what she's been through and how she devoted her life to this cause. Since a young toddler she's been discriminated against and thought as inferior, with no clue of why this was happening. "This is a man's world, where no woman has a say in anything", were the one of many phrases said repeatedly to put her down. Her tears would soak the every ground she stood foot upon, tears of disappointment and fear for the future would devour her emotions. Until one day she decided to stand up for every young girl in America limited in their rights, and show every man in the country that a woman is not a mere object with a mind and speaking ability. All she accomplished and now she's lived and died for what she strongly believed in. Many women had been victims of their own dedication, they stood so firmly in justice for the sake of not only themselves, but those in the same situation and for the future generations. While they were underestimated at first they proved themselves in a dangerous matter by starving themselves declaring to our country, "Blessed our thou who hunger for justice". In many situations these women were to the point of weakness, where they simple couldn't lift a leg in order to walk. As some were ignored and let to die others were fed in a forced matter, with no humane respect for any woman. Some women were imprisoned, without the law on their side there was no hope for liberty. Sacrifices were made, children we left without a mother, and some died with no experience of how a our country would be if women were given rights. Although these horrible events occurred they happened for a reason, “It is not those who can inflict the most but those who can suffer the most who will conquer...those whose faith is strong will endure to the end in triumph.”— Terrence Mac Swiney

Throughout the years we have earned every right for women in the Constitution for our will and determination from many of our dear ancestors. As anything in life it was both bitter-sweet situation, we now have what we sincerely deserved, yet lives and freedoms were scarified throughout it's process. Those women who fought as any soldier would for their country have died with dignity, honor, and respect, and now rest peacefully for eternity. It's up to us, the present generation to continue their footsteps, stand up for those who are weak, demand what we deserve, and nonetheless never keep hidden in the darkness where no one can hear or voice or see your present. This battle continues and as well will continue our willpower for justice. "One piece of log creates a small fire, adequate to warm you up, add just a few more pieces to blast an immense bonfire, large enough to warm up your entire circle of friends; needless to say that individuality counts but team work dominates. ", Jin Kwon. Together we are invincible and can accomplish the most difficult of tasks, but only if we have one thing on our minds, equality.

Photo Credit
Flickr Creative Commons
http://www.flickr.com/photos/evaekeblad/2230497789/

what's the rap on rap?

by Andrea

How does rap music affect us in this time today? At one time, rap music was a way to express yourself. It was the social concious of the community. They were words about justice, poverty and civil rights. Has it changed? Does rap still reflect a social concious? Nowadays, rap is very popular in our time today, but many people, especially parents, think it should go away.

One reason for people to think that is because of the words they use in their lyrics. Nowadays its all about cussing, sex, drugs, drinking. No wonder most people don't want it around their children. There are many children though that do like this type of music, especially the older ones like teenagers.There are those big rap singers that everyone listens to. There is a misconception here. People think that the children listen to it because they agree with the lyrics. The reality is that we listen to it despite the lyrics. It's the beats. It's the hooks. It's the feel of dancing and it's the fact that it is forbidden.

Drinking,sex,and drugs are influenced in this type of music. Theres all this talk about just drinking and getting drunk. Now there are some children that will follow but there are most that won't be influenced by it. Perhaps it's because they realize that rappers aren't "promoting" a lifestyle as much as they are describing it. The rappers give the fans what they want to hear and they think drinking is one of them. They know that fans want songs about a wild life.

Is it that the fans want this music because they are into the partying lifestyle? Do they party as a result of the music? Or is it simply an escape? Is it that people are bored with "the good life" and are attraced to the danger described in rap music? Maybe the answer is all of the above.

Not only are there lyrics promoting sex, drugs and drinking but there's also racism. Rappers put thought into their lyrics. Racism is a major issue right now.There is racism against every race of person. You never know if the rappers really want you to go out and be racist or if they are just expressing their frustration about race. Are they promoting an open dialogue or are they promoting hate? Perhaps the answer is found in the use of stereotypes. Does rap music resort to racial stereotypes? It does seem that every time they mention minorities, they portray them as violent and overly sexual and angry.

In my opinion rap music doesnt affect everyone in any aspect. The people who have been influenced by it, it is their own fault. If you are so weak-minded that they fall into the racism, the drugs and the partying lifestyle, they need to grow a backbone. Then again the rappers should put a little less of sex, drugs, drinking, racism and cussimg words. It's not all everyone wants to hear. Give us a song or two about what really matters in the world. We'll listen and maybe make the world a better place.

Photo Credit
Flickr Creative Commons
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dantje/2049027313/

bailing out the world

by ASV

GM is not an American company.  It's global and transnational.  AIG is not an American company. They invested money in banks throughout the world.  Citigroup cannot claim the red, white and blue as its home, because its home is the world.  However, when it comes to media coverage of the bailout, globalization never enters the picture.  

The reality is that all the companies we are bailing out are transnational corporations.  Sure, GM has plants in Michigan and workers have their pensions tied up.  But GM has plants all over the world.  The forces of globalization now mean a GM car has parts made in Asia, Africa and Latin America.  Still, they implore us on propaganda to buy American.  It's some kind of act of patriotism.

News flash: It's not my fault that GM made crappy cars.  It's not my fault that AIG screwed over the financial community.  Why are my parents paying taxes to bail them out?  Why will my generation be the ones who bail out the world? 

Photo Credit

Minnesota Public Radio

http://images.publicradio.org/content/2009/03/17/20090317_aig_33.jpg

Why Racist Humor?

by Jesus

Racial  Jokes are very offensive. Often, people make jokes about other races with out noticing.  They also make racist comments subconsciously  (with out knowing ).  People do this to try to be funny but they wouldn't like it if they did the same to them behind their back.  Racist jokes are almost always hurtful, because it is humor at someone else's expense.
   

People make jokes about another race because they feel insecure about their own identity. They can't find another way to feel secure. They just tease and tease and the result is the continuation of stereotypes. For example African American they say that they have big butts and big lips.  Latinos they say we mow lawns and fix cars.  Whites are labeled as racist people who can't dance and act nerdy.  Blondes are called airheads.  Asians have to fit the stereotype of fixing computers and driving tricked-out Hondas. These are just  a few stereotypes that people laugh about.  Except it's pretty hard to laugh when it becomes an expectation of what you are supposed to do. 

 

                              Where it all comes from
    All this comes from way back in history when there was a little thing called segregation. This was when the "colored" people African Americans,Latinos,and other races that weren't white had to stay in one area and experience socialization separately.  This was when all other races than white were separated. The drinking fountains that the "colored" had were dirty and small. The drinking fountains that the whites had were the complete opposite, pristine and clean. Whenever a "colored" went to a restaurant the had to sit at the back. Some places wouldn't serve him.

So in the process, we had to create the "other" and make general statements.  "See those guys, they're real dark and real loud," and it was an issue of judgment.  Then these judgements became the lens for viewing the race forever.  Humor became one of the things that reinforced these ideas.  So radio shows like "Amos and Andy" included two whites who made fun of black stereotypes.  Old movies and t.v. shows ignored the Latino population. Then, when there were finally "black" shows like Family Matters, they continued with white stereotypes that minorities could mock. 
 
I think the civil rights activist worked real hard for our rights.  I can't believe some of the things they fought for are still going on in our country; especially here in Arizona where there are many laws against the Hispanics . Dolores Huerta fought for the farm workers right and yet today there are bosses who threat the workers that they are going to call "la migra" which is the border patrol.  Countless African-American civil rights leaders helped transform race relations through groups like SNIC and SLCC and leaders like Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King, Jr. Groups such as AIM helped Native Americans fight for civil rights as well.  

When we turn race into a joke, it's a slap in the face to the heritage of the Civil Rights movements.  When we laugh at stereotypes we reinforce old ideas in the name of humor.  

Photo Credit 

Radio Revisited 

Three Metaphors

"The heart of Israel is the heart of all the world, and the world wants to kill the heart."

This metaphor is very deep to me. It explains how all of this started just because of names and territory. A certain group wants to be another certain group, and another certain group wants some territory from another certain group. All of this isbad Israel must remain in tact and in order to keep this world alive. If it is destroyed, since it is the heart everything will stop working.
-by Isaac

"The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict is a drug war"

Both sides claim that they are selling a legitimate drug, but people are abusing it. The drug is their religion, but it's been ruined by hatred and violence. It's a dirty batch. They are pushing it like crack on the streets. One side shoots another and the victims are the neighborhoods. Kids die. Families are broken apart. All for power and territory and money. Their foot soldiers are like small time dealers who are just trying to survive in a ghetto called the Holy Land. It doesn't have to be this way. If a drug can be addicting, it can also be used for healing. The people themselves need a doctor to show them the healing power of religion.
-by Carlos

The conflict is a huge wave that crashes against the shore.

I chose this metaphor because it is kind of true. It is true because whenever the Palestinian and the Israeli sides go to war everyone around it can feel it. There are even ripples that reach America. The people can feel it and will know that they will get a win and they will not leave without one. They are so determined to victorious but they miss the reality that neither side actually wins. This is a wave that will knock down everyone in the path of destruction. America does our best to stop this wave. We set up bunkers that work for awhile, but eventually it crashes down on everything. Occasionally people believe that the conflict has stopped. The waves subside and all is calm, but eventually the waves crash back and destroy those who are standing on the shore.

Life and Death

by Monique

Life a beautiful thing! Life is why you and me are here right now,because of life we are able to live. Our parents brought us into this world and gave us our chance to live our life. What if you didn't get your chance at life? What if it was cut short,and you were never brought into this world? What if your parents just decided they didn't want you? What if they decided to get you aborted and want nothing of you? Have you ever thought about this,taking an innocent unborn babies life? Millions of unborn are aborted every year.

Abortion is something that is constantly a problem in our world today. Million of unborn are being aborted each year.These child's life and soul are being taken from them. They didn't even get to take their first breathe of air. These are innocent babies who have done nothing wrong in life.There not even given a chance to make mistakes and learn from them. There not even given a chance to do anything in life.

Abortion is one of those things no child or anybody should have to go through. Everyone should get their chance to live,whether the parents wanted them or not. Although abortions are bad and unfair to the poor children who never get to take a breathe of air,in some cases an abortion is the only options the parents have left.

In some cases parents have to get an abortion. Sometimes their just not financially ready or responsible to take care of another human being. This doesn't give you the right to end their life though. There's always the option to have them adopted. Your still giving them the chance to live their life. No matter what the situation is abortion is never the best option. You will always have more options,you never have to end the poor child's life.

Abortion is never the best option to choose. It doesn't matter what the situation is. Taking an innocent unborn child's life is just cruel and wrong. Everyone should have a chance to live life and experience the world. No ones opportunity should be taken from them,no matter what the situation is. Abortion is just wrong and should not be allowed to be done. Let the children live and see the world. Let them learn what it's like to live,learn,and grow in this world.

Are You Kidding?

by Michell

Is it okay to make jokes about another race? Is it okay to use racial slurs to gain a simple laugh? In my opinion, no, it is not okay to make jokes about another race. Just twist it around the other way. Some people might make jokes about your race and you wouldn't like that very much. So it's bad to make jokes about other races.

People are racist against others becuase of their skin color or their ethnic background or where they are from. Yet people are born with their skin color and they have no control over it. People can't control where they were born either and though they try and ditch their culture, it's a part of them as well. Why make a joke out of something no one can control? Whether it's a "blonde joke" or an anti-black joke or a redneck joke, a joke against a race is a joke against something people have no control over.

Some people from other races are nice, while some people from your race are mean. If we're all human then we are all capable of being nice or mean. If that's true, then it is not good to judge someone based upon race. It's not okay to use stereotypes about different people that essentially add up to, "these people are bad" or "these people are mean." However, when we tell racial jokes, we spread the stereotypes.

Telling racist jokes could actually be dangerous for you. If you make racial jokes, people will assume you are racist. Someone could get really mad and hurt you or someone you love. What you consider a simple joke might be an insult to another person. Sometimes fights even break out just because someone said something as a joke. In the end, many people get hurt because of racism.

Consider how your words will make someone feel next time you are thinking of telling a racist joke. Being racist does not bring anything good to your life or to the person you are making fun of. Although you might get a laugh, you'll lose something bigger in the long run: the chance for racial unity.

Racist Without Realizing It

by Daniell

It makes you not have many friends.  It can cause you to lose your job.  It makes you angry and you don't think right.  It's a disease many people don't see.  Racism can be in your body and you don't even know it.  People are racist without realizing it. 

Often people don't know the racism is inside of them.  They might say things but not know that they are hurting someone, for example, using the "N word." Some people talk behind each other's backs.  They use racial slurs knowing that no one is around.  Some mascots for professional teams show racism, such as "Chief Wahoo" for the Cleveland Indians.  Then of course there are people who believe a woman belongs at home raising children instead of being in the workplace.  Yet, in many cases, if we asked each person if they were racist, they'd answer "no way."

Racism is learned as a child grows up. Parents may be racist and their kids learn it as a result. Other people around a child, maybe in their community or neighborhood may teach them.  They absorb this as "normal" and fail to see the racism.  In addition, television and other media may show children racism.  Computers and the Internet are also another place where children may learn to be racist.  

It doesn't have to be this way.  People can deal with racism by being kind to people from the entire world.  You could become friends with  other people from different cultures.  You could show respect for the things that their cultures might do.  You could apologize if you ever make a mistake and offend someone.  Maybe the best way is just to get to know people.  Also, you could find out about other cultures by going to the liberary, researching on the computer or asking people about their culture. 

In conclusion, if you are racist, you could lose your job, become angry and not have many friends. So by realizing that you might have racism inside of you, you could have better relaionship, keep your jobs and be a happier person because you have dealt with your racism.  

Photo Credit

http://www.flickr.com/photos/14881734@N02/3066769796/

Flickr Creative Commons

crossing the racial border

by Mireya

Our culture is filled with racial separation.  We have separate churches that seem okay calling themselves "black" or "white" or "latino."  There are school cafeterias where students sit in different locations based upon race.  While segregation seems normal in America, is it possible for two people to deeply know one another if they are from a different race?

People from two different races can get along with each other. They could can get along with each other because maybe they don't care what color their friends are. Probably they really trust each other so they don't pay attention to what race they or their friends are. Friends are friends no matter what color or race they are. So a person can be close friends with another person that is a different race that they are. 

Another example of people from multiple races getting along are the examples of people who have a mixed racial identity.  A person who was adopted and raised by a person from a different race than his will feel a  kinship with both races. He probably likes his new family like if it were his own family. So he doesn't pay attention to their race. He probably fell in love with his new family and the cultural background connected to it.  Other times, people have parents who are from multiple races.  So, they grow up feeling that both sides are normal.

Some people actually don't care about race or stuff like that. For example, there are some people that are married to people from a different race than theirs. Personally, I know of a Latina who is married to a African American. She doesn't care about what people think about her. She lives happy with her husband. They are content in their love that can cross the boundaries of race and culture.  Even though the world might judge, they have proven that it is possible to not only know someone, but deeply love someone from a different race.
    

So race does not have to be a stone wall we can't cross.  Some people get past it. They are happy with what they have.

Photo Credit

Flickr Creative Commons

http://www.flickr.com/photos/phinaphantasy/1797954963/ 

Sticking Together

by Marbella

When a catastrophic event happens, you never know what the end result will be. You never know what barriers you would fail or conquer or the emotions you would have to face.  Whatever the case is you always are aware of caring for your family. You will have the desire to go with them even if you are in the worst circumstances. In other words, your family goes first. Yet, it's also possible that you'll have an impulse to care for your community.  Though you may not know it, you might just feel compelled to reach out a hand.
          

This same situation was what happen with people in New Orleans. They never knew that August 29 of 2005 would be a terrible day. Experts were predicting catastrophic damage to New Orleans and the surrounding region just a few days before, yet many people thought it was just the news trying to scare people. Many chose to leave. They had in mind their family. Ninety percent of the residents of southeast Louisiana were evacuated in the most successful way. However that proved that they also cared about others. A hurricane of a category range of 3 hit them in the most undesirable day, still they pulled it off. 
          

By August 31, 2005, eighty percent of New Orleans was flooded by 15 feet of water. They did try their best at surviving yet still they had over 1,500 deaths. This event left them so desperate that many who remained in their homes had to swim for their lives to survive. Sometimes bad plays an unhappy trick on them. They called it a "total destruction" because the end result was not Louisiana any more. Therefore experts said that it could take six months or longer to pump all the water out of the city. 
          

This not only affected the community but politics, economy and their population. This event left them down when it came to the economy. All of the bodies without lives also made a big difference, not only to their families. Engineers and the total failure of the  built flood protection system,which experts agree should have protected the city's inhabitants from Katrina's surge. They made mistakes but those are now solved. We can learn from our mistakes. 

We can also learn from the example.  People came back.  People donated time.  Whole communities said, "We know that this place is a wreck, but we'll rebuild.  We'll continue.  We'll overcome."  Volunteers stormed the flooded city to pull out survivors.  Throughout the country, people raised money, donated their expertise, prayed for the victims and found every possible way to stick together.  
          

This is not only a "weather problem", but you can compare it into something that is now going on. Our economy problem and what is going on in our community can be compare to Katrina's disaster. In this situation we did not get hit by a catastrophic weather event  but by a hurricane of mistakes. You can't blame it to one person, everyone must have  done something to bring us to this point. I'm not not defending anyone but not blaming it on another person. Therefore we should learn from our mistakes to create better solutions. If we can follow the same example of Katrina, we can learn what it means to volunteer and stick together and love our neighbor.   

Photo Credit

Flickr Creative Commons

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pikmin/355795135/ 

why murder isn't a sport

A dead animal won't make you fashionable

by Stephanie

What would you do if your skin or head was chase after people because of how it appears? Imagine now that people will even kill you for that special skin of yours. You are trapped with nowhere to go and you are forced to be killed and skinned. Throughout this world, we are doing this awful thing but with animals that are vulnerable and defenseless.  We should not kill animals for their fur or even for people’s trophies. We're beyond the caveman stage.  We can move on.

What do people get out of when they claim an animals life? In return they could put up a stuffed head on a wall. The only two main reasons you should kill an animal is for their meat or if it is dying and have no choice. Many legitamate hunters kill in order to have meat. However,  just killing an animal for the fun of it is like a murder.  In the United States, so-called sport hunters kill 100-250 million wild animals every year. They include mourning doves (25%) and squirrels (15%), followed by quail, rabbits, ducks, and woodchucks. Deer constitute 3% of the animals killed by hunters.  In these cases, many of the hunters are going to eat meat.  However, some of them are killing for the sheer sake of having fun. Approximately sixty million animals are left out in the cold and they bleed to death, die of infection or thirst or starve to death. They go unused.

Fur is awful and should be illegal to kill an animal for its fur. Forty million animals are bred in fur ranches. More than 50 million animals are violently killed to be worn once in your life, or merely on a few small occasions. Worst of all they kill them by gassing, electrocution, and neck breaking. Fur-bearing animals are also caught and killed in barbaric body-gripping traps. These animals are going though animal cruelty and the world does not do anything about it. This is bringing some animals to extinction   in the future. Such as this has happen to animals that have been hunted but have disappear forever.

The world should pay more attention to what is going on. It is like if they are blind and can’t see anything. They should make it illegal though out the world and not permit fur at all. That only way you are going to kill an animal is that if you are going to eat it. Killing an animal for the fun of it or for fashion is just ridiculous. Animal have feelings also like us humans. Just think we are taking lives from animals because we think it would look cool if their head was hanging on the wall. Many people should be put in the animal shoes and feel how they go though every day.

Do not kill animals for entertainment or making a bold fashion statement. It is 2009 and not 87 b.c stop killing animal for the fur or any item at all. Animals should just be meet to be eaten and not being trophy alone and not be wearing them clothes. As humans we should not be able to tell when to take a life away from an innocent animal. Animals should just be left alone and be wearing on. Make the world into a better place not a non animal world.

Photo Credit

Flickr Creative Commons

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7317125@N06/2084011251/