Blog #7: For Colored Girls When The Rainbow is Not Enough

This movie was by far the best of Tyler Perry's work. The story line was intense and kept the audience on their toes. As my roommate engaged in this film, we released tears, screams, limited laughs, and shocked faces. This story line was intense and the situations were being thrown at us. I love how Perry intertwined characters and gave them connections and shown their realizations. He provided a strong family tie through these women, which gave women in the audience a lesson. The lesson was to come together not only as Black women, but as women of all colors. Many critics believed this movie was bashing Black men and I totally disagree because these situations are informing women of the possibilities that can happen. It was a warning for us to be aware of what's going on and not easily becoming victimized of these serious situations. I believe men can learn from this film because it provides what men should not be or do and what men should be and should do. This movie teaches males and females of all ages. Thanks for the movie Perry.

The Final Assessment

Part 1: Blog

As I read my blogs since the midterm, I’ve noticed that I have grown to expand my thoughts on worldly issues in the past five to six weeks. Before the midterm, I would write short summaries of topics that were given or that I’ve chosen. Topics such as teen pregnancy, environmental justice, same race discrimination are issues that are still present in the world today and changes are being made slowly, which is unacceptable. I was suprised that I still have the same good quality of writing but I’ve grown to explain ideas thoroughly and provided a clearer analysis and opinion on issues. One aspect that I value most about blogging is sharing my opinion in my own way and having a realization of my learnings during every blog post as I elaborate.

Part II: Expository Writing

I believe I grew as a writer throughout the four research essays and the letter to raise awareness. Learning about the five expository modes causal analysis, compare and contrast, classification, definition, and process, gave us knowledge on how to write a proper essay. These modes also made it easier to write essays, especially when using two essay modes. My strength is providing good theses and knowing what expository modes to use. My weakness is organizing my ideas correctly within an outline. I always have good ideas but placing them correctly has been an issue for me in this class. My attendance, homework completion, class readings, group discussions and presentations have all helped me succeed in my research essays and letter. Consulting with the professor, Writing Center visits, and research have also helped alot with understanding assignments. Without these things, there is no way I would have completed research essays correctly and comprehend recommended strategies in my writing. I have always been comfortable with technology but the frequent use of technology in this class will help me in the future. From being in this class, I always use a global perspective in my essays, my letter, and blogs. By thinking of other communities of color when discussing or writing, more individuals will listen to what you have to say instead of focusing on Blacks all the time.

My Comments on Other Blogs

1. Emmanuel's Blog:

http://e-ademuwagun.blogspot.com

I totally agree with this notion. It's sad that the United States is portrayed as a better place for opportunities internationally. Obama's pushing for better health care and education for Blacks but I believe change is going too slow, which is keeping Blacks at the bottom of the social ladder.

2. Nic's Blog: http://ayetuneinn.blogspot.com

I love this blog entry because young people are the dominant voice not only in Black society but globally. For us to not doing anything about our future makes it worse for us and that will put us in the wrong as role models for the next generation. Barack Obama has a great impact on us and it's our responsibility to still have his back to keep him in office. This blog reminds me of The Power of The Young people presentation by Dr. pollard in Freshman Seminar class.

3. Radiah's blog: http://radiahshabazz.blogspot.com


I agree with this entry because the media makes it okay for America to shun dark skinned females. There is a constant appearance of lighter females in videos, fashion shows, magazine ads etc. For example, in class we observed the magazine cover with Precious in a lighter shade verses her original pigmentation. I've never noticed how magazines change the color of our Black women before class. I feel like its becoming worse and I'm glad that you wrote this entry because this opinion needs to be heard.
khe bottom of the social ladder.

4. Dehja's Blog: iblogmyplanet92.blogspot.com

I really like this poem because it was truly inspirational to and I'm sure it will be to other Black individuals as well. I can relate this poem to Radiah's blog entry on the Skin Tone Debate in America because this poem can motivate those females that may have darker skin tones. Females with darker skin tones are constantly put in the back or aren't in music videos anymore. Why is the media splitting up the Black community?


5. Nestor's Blog: nestorkimbo.blogspot.com


This is a good entry because I found this discussion in class very interesting. I believe everyone in class was intrigued during this topic because all of us can relate to either the single or double family. I agree with you when you said it depends on the way the children are brought up. I had a single parent also for the majority of my childhood. I guess we turned out pretty good.

Blog #10:Presentation

Troubled

Who's baby is it? It's Malik's baby. No it's Tyrone's baby.

What am I going to do? I can abort this baby 

Or bring it into a financially unstable family

But I mean my baby gon' be cute

Malik and Tyrone always had that "good hair"

Should I have it then give it up for adoption?

No, I can't.

The pain of giving a piece of myself to some strangers is something I can't deal with

Where am I going to live?

My mother won't give me the time of day.

I can hear her Guyanese accent now

"Go down di street to di shelter, I cyan't deal wit dis"

When did the condom slip off?

Maybe on the corner of lack of common sense and stupid

Wait! I don't even remember a condom being on

I mean I trusted both of them and they wanted to feel all of me.

Who could blame em'?

But why did this happen to me? I don't deserve this.

I pray every night to the Lord and this burden has come upon me.

Okay, Okay

How can I solve this?

No sex? Nope.

Will I ever learn?

Blog #9: Teenage Pregnancy Letter

November 19, 2010

Dr. Vanessa Cullins

Vice President for medical affairs

Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington, DC

1108 16th Street, NW

Washington, DC 20036

Dear Dr. Vanessa Cullins,

Teen pregnancy is taking over the Black and Hispanic race today. To define the participants of teenage pregnancy, they are 15-19 years old. “Guess what Tolisa?” I reply with “What?” My friend tells me she is pregnant. Fresh out of highschool with her diploma, she hasn’t given herself a chance to expand her mind and experience things outside of her comfort zone. Young, colored, and beautiful faces now have an addition of a growing sphere-like belly with a living creature inside. Our babies are having babies and this epidemic is increasing by the hour. It is important for the Black and Hispanic race to conquer teen pregnancy because of health conditions, negative perceptions of us, and interference with education and future careers.

What can we do to stop this? Let us Black and Hispanic women come together and push forth the message that this action isn’t okay. Let us push forth the message that by being participants of teen pregnancy, we’re killing our future generation slowly. For the rest of the world that already classifies us as babymothers with a deadbeat babyfathers, we are proving them right. We need specific classes in highschool for our young women. We must show them that they are prized possessions that can overcome any obstacles that may be thrown at them from day to day. I’m a young woman and I know it gets tough dealing with relationships and peer pressure. The advantage that is being taken from us needs to come to an end. 

According to the “After Long Decline, Teenage Pregnancy Rises” article by Tamar Lewin, teenage pregnancy amongst Blacks and Hispanics have always been higher than White teen pregnancies. Sarah Brown from the National Campaign to prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy thinks there are “different factors at play, from less use of contraception, maybe of less fear of AIDS.” She also believes our culture and plays a role in encouraging teens to become pregnant. As births increase, the rate of abortions and miscarriages are raising. For example, births rose from 2005 to 2006, then again from 2006 to 2007. Actions have already began with the Clinton administration by financing abstinence-only programs and the Obama administration is trying to create a new teenage pregnancy prevention strategy. Although pregnant teens are getting younger, that doesn’t give us the right to give up on them.

In the words of Kanye West, “You have the power to let power go.” In terms of this situation, the majority of the time the male or your friends have the power over you in the form of peer pressure. To the young women, this is your body and you have the power to say what goes, therefore, it’s up to you to choose the right choice. In the back of your mind constantly think of this quote, “I am beautiful and I refuse to be a statistic.” I will follow up with another letter or call. Thank you for your time and I hope you take my opinions into consideration.

Sincerely yours,

Tolisa Abrams






Source: Lewin, Tamar. "Fter Long Decline, Teenage Pregnancy Rate Rises." New York Times. New York Times, 26 Jan. 2010. Web. 23 Nov. 2010. <http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/27/us/27teen.html>. Print.

Blog #8 : Assertive Chinese Held In Mental Wards

In China, outspoken individuals are battling with the mental health system. These Chinese individuals are being wrongly accused of being mentally ill. Why are they receiving this treatment? Xu Lindong was a great example of how the system overpowered a young, Chinese man that wanted his opinion to be heard. Lindong's land was taken by the local government, therefore, he made plenty complaints. Was the local government aggravated or embarrassed by Lindong's complaints? To solve this problem, they believed they should lock these outspoken individuals in mental wards to "shut them up." If this were to happen in America, this would violate our first amendment. The people of China have no say in actions that may go against their beliefs. The Communist way of life gives the government a greater power over these people. Those who are confined are abused through several electric shocks for years. How can we change this? We can help them improve their system for the mentally ill and we can provide them with sufficient psychiatrists to diminish these issues. All psychiatrists should know the different signs of mentally ill individuals. I believe the Chinese government are paying these psychiatrists to continue to admit these innocent individuals so it looks like they are accomplishing something. This can relate to police officers in NYC because ever since the recession, officers were finding any little thing to fine individuals for. Officers were to have a certain amount fines or arrests in order to stay in the department or receive a good enough paycheck.

LaFRANIERE, SHARON, and DAN LEVIN. "Assertive Chinese Held in Mental Wards." New York Times. New York Times, 11 Nov. 2010. Web. 12 Nov. 2010. <http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/12/world/asia/12psych.html?_r=3&pagewanted=1&ref=world>. Print.

Blog Entry #6 on Environmental Justice

Environmental justice improves society in various ways. It helps the youth of society to become involved and learn skills of leadership. Environmental justice also helps communities around the world by fighting against pollution and environmental degradation. The goal of this panel discussion was to focus on awareness, unity, and service within the environmental justice movement. One of the leaders speaks of individuals who may have asthma, cancer, and ADD/ADHD and how poor quality communities affect these conditions. The toxins within pollution that may be present in these communities affect these individuals, therefore, there is a fight for environmental justice. Blacks and Latinos are the major victims of these degraded communities. "People of color live in toxic, polluted neighborhoods." She also speaks about urban and rural communities that are affected, such as North Carolina and Louisiana. We need environmental justice internationally where pollution lies such as, African countries. Water, foods, and air are being destroyed by toxic pollution. The demand for fruits outside of their season have become higher which has become part of the environmental problem. Another leader also says "The whole world has changed." This means that the economy is changing, as well as the society. If we don't like something about our world, we must change it. Environmental justice represents change for the better for the environment. Residents of these communities with poor conditions deserve to speak up about their opinions.

Entry #5:Midterm Self Assessment

Part 1:
All four of my blogs has great significance to the Black race. Firstly, President Obama plays a major role in society. Black individuals see him as the answer for improvement and change in the United States today and for the future. In his A More Perfect Union speech, he speaks about improving the world nationally and internationally. Obama also speaks about leaving the issues and grudges of history behind in order to move forward. For my second entry I chose an article titled Racial Disparity in School Suspensions which provided data of middle school suspensions of different races. Black children were said to have the highest rate amongst the other middle school children. I didn't like the fact that my race of middle school children had the highest rate of suspensions. I felt as if this information was somewhat embarrassing. This information should be vital to Blacks in America. I'm sure that there are many Blacks in America that aren't aware that our children have this issue in society because hardly anything is being done to solve it. Next, my third entry on Black and Latino by Robert Santiago which raises the question of "Why can't I be both races?" There are many mixed individuals in the world that can relate to this personal account. I feel like those who are specifically mixed with Black and White only are pressured to identify with one specific race more than other individuals whom are mixed with other races. Finally, my 4th entry was about Opening Convocation with guest speaker Ben Carson. Carson plays a major role in Black society and his speech at Howard University was a historical moment for us to witness. The aspect I value the most is the fact that these blogs let me speak my opinion about issues of my society and historical speeches that play a huge role to my race. The new experience of blogging for class has been interesting and a contribution to the expansion of my thinking. I noticed that I found interest out of each topic in my blogs which made it easier for me to elaborate and understand.

Part 2:
My journey on writing a research essay has been a long one. To write a distinguished essay there are important steps that should be taken. One needs to research as much information as they can on the internet, in books, etc. One must also cite all information to prevent plagiarism. An outline is a must in order to plan your essay and it helps your write out your essay quicker and clearer. One must have their argument ready and form a thesis. An introduction, 3 body paragraphs, and a conclusion are the main elements of your research paper. Drafts are helpful after you receive review from a professor or even a peer. Throughout this experience, I have learned how to construct a good research paper and new approaches to take while writing one such as, process, classification, cause and effect, definition, and comparison and contrast. It's easier for me to plan out an essay and finding a workable thesis. I tend to have difficulty with providing enough details to support my thesis. The Writing Center has helped me a great deal with grammar and essay writing. I've always been comfortable with technology because I believe it makes everything such as, completing and turning in assignments easier and quicker. For the majority of the readings in class I tend to always connect them back to the Black community but connecting readings in a global aspect isn't difficult for me at all.

Opening Convocation 2010 with Orator Ben Carson

I found Ben Carson's speech very inspirational. He relayed his speech in a creative way to keep the attention of the audience. Attentive listening and laughs were produced during this historical event. The first question Carson asked was "What is a university for?" He simply answered by saying "Expanding the mind." I related with Carson when he spoke about how boring lectures were not his thing. I believe every teacher and professor should teach in creative ways to keep us interested instead of making us doze off. Carson also spoke about how all individuals should think outside of the box at all times. He asked "If you always do what's done before, how are you going to make any progress? Many people tend to stay in their comfort zone and never take risks. By taking risks, you're learning new things to enhance your knowledge. He said we should be encouragers and find solutions instead of asking why do we have to do things. "Developing God given talents to the utmost to become valuable to people around you," said Carson.This quote means all of us should be an asset to the world. Carson believes if we don't speak up for what we believe then we won't get where we want to be, which is true. In the words of Carson, he said values and principles that govern our lives will give us a successful nation.

Black and Latino by Robert Santiago

This assigned reading had put me in the shoes of Santiago. It painted a picture of hardships mixed children dealt with growing up. I agree with Santiago when he expressed how he wouldn't choose sides because that would be like denying apart of himself. I believe Santiago wrote this to let all mixed individuals know that they're not alone. He provided examples of comments and opinions of how others felt about his appearance and actions. I identified with Santiago when he spoke about his peers of East Harlem telling him that he didn't "act black," because when I was growing up some of my peers told me that I "talked white." I wonder where do these comments come from. What is "acting black?" What is "talking white?" Those are questions I've been trying to find the answer for, for a long time. After asking questions like these, most individuals would begin to list stereotypes of blacks and whites to prove a point. In this case, I'll leave the questions as they are.

The Current Event #1:Racial Disparity in School Suspensions

Studies have been made upon the history of suspensions on different races of middle school children. The data of these suspension rates were broken down by race and taken from 18 urban districts. The black children have the highest suspension rates throughout the years from 1973 to 2006.  Due to history, most likely these rates are increasing. Asians were shown to have less rates than whites in these districts. Hispanic and American Indian middle school students had higher rates than whites. The districts are claiming that they are using many strategies to decrease suspensions. I believe that they can't conquer this issue with a couple strategies that they thought out themselves. This is a historical issue that may take years to figure out. Prior generations mark the next generations before these districts and programs can get to them.This article shows how our black children are starting out early on a bad note. Other races will see this as a beginning of black children being incarcerated in the future and they will begin to familiarize themselves with seeing this from day to day. In my opinion, the high rates of suspension of our black children are giving an upper hand to other races to look down upon them. Our black children should be equal with other children of different races. Relating to Obama's book and speech, Obama's main goal is for us as U.S citizens of different races to come together as one in equality. He doesn't want us to bring down another race but lift each other up with encouragement to set examples for our future.

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/14/education/14suspend.html?_r=1&ref=us

Where is Our Perfect Union?

The arguments of racial issues have accumulated throughout history and has made its way to our generation. Barack Obama has been able to get the people of America to finally listen. In "A More Perfect Union," Obama explained that Reverend Wright's controversial language had intended to widen the racial divide due to his distorted view of the country. In order to improve African American race relations, it takes a series of steps that Obama has provided for us. As African Americans we must be more exceptional as Gramps and Toot were, be available to help the community and occupy new jobs, and set examples for generations to come. We can begin these actions by touching issues that are present between different races and actually making progress to solve them a day at a time. According to Obama, the anger and bitterness that African Americans dealt with throughout history is keeping us from facing our own complicity in our condition today. In Obama's words, we must solve issues together, perfect the union, have common hopes, and better the future for our children and grandchildren.




Obama, Barack. "A More Perfect Union."National Constitution Center, Philadelphia.18 March 2008. Speech.