It seems as though Governor Crist has passed Senate Bill 6 here in Florida. The bill will make it so that teachers will be paid according to the performance of their students on new tests created by the state. The better students do on the test, the more money teachers will receive in their salaries and vice versa. Furthermore, teachers who's students do not meet a minimum requierement will be laid off. Of course, their has been major controversy over this bill, especially in the city of Miami. Not too far from F.I.U. in Southwest Miami high school, the school I graduated from, eighty one teachers did not show up for work to protest the newly passed bill. These teachers feel that the bill is the final straw after an ever decreasing salary for teachers around the country. These teachers have families, houses, and cars to pay for and take care of. How can they if their salaries are being changed completely? What is a teacher to do if her students decide not to come to school? What will the teachers who educate the disabled or impaired do? The bill does not consider any of these questions or situations. Some teachers here in Miami are fed up with the education system in Florida. I've spoken to a few of my more favorite teachers in the past. For example, Mr. Cancio was my government and economics teacher my senior year of high school. He was by far one of the most educated and intellectual men I have ever met. He did exactly what a teacher is meant to do or should do, which is to educate and inspire you. He opened my eyes and actually interested me in politics, which was no easy task. I looked up to him and still do. Mr. Cancio told me that if the bill was passed and remained the same, he would no longer be a teacher. Other teachers informed me they would leave the state and continue educating in another state. Each of them have been tremendous educators and I can only wish that students everywhere could have teachers like them. This bill seems like a terrible thing and I in no way support it, but there might be an upside. For a very long time teachers salaries have been very low. These people educate our children, the future of America, they should be paid more for their efforts. This bill, with enough awareness, can create a movement that will start a change in how we perceive the importance of our educators. One day soon, the resurrection of Florida teachers will be at hand.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Monday, March 29, 2010
A new kind of Revolution!!
I wasn't quite sure what to expect for this blog response. I had never heard of Jamie Oliver or the TED Prize. As I watched the opening credits I noticed a video clip of ex-Vice President Al Gore from his speech and movie "An Inconvenient Truth". I soon realized that Oliver's speech about obesity would be somewhat like Gore's speech about global warming.
Oliver began his presentation with a startling statistic that within the eighteen minutes of the presentation four Americans would die because of the food that they eat. Was the problem of obesity that prominent? Oliver continued to state that because of the food that is fed to the youth of this country, they will live lives ten years younger than their parents. One of the most shocking statistics of the presentation came when Oliver showed a graph of the leading causes of death in the United States. Four of the top six causes of death in the United States were food/diet related diseases. It's gotten to the point that obesity costs ten percent of America's health care bills. One hundred and fifty billion dollars a year on obesity alone.
Oliver really made an impact when he began giving examples of people he met in Huntington, West Virginia. At the time, West Virginia was the most unhealthiest state in America. Oliver presented a picture of a young girl he met named Brittany. Brittany is sixteen years old and because of the food she has eaten only has six years to live. Oliver continued to present other people who are affected by obesity. He even presented people who are not obese, but have been affected by the death of family members who were. Oliver believes that it can be completely preventable.
To prevent obesity, Oliver believes we must understand what it is that we are doing wrong. He describes that the problem is originating from three pieces of a triangle, which includes homes, schools, and main street, or companies. The problems with main street include bad labeling and an increase in sugars and processed foods. In the home, the main problem is that parents and grandparents have stopped teaching children how to cook healthy nutritional food. Finally, in schools the problem is that there isn't any people who are knowledgeable enough about food to make the right decisions for what to feed the students. Another problem is that there is no food education. Oliver showed a video of himself asking young children to identify some fruits and vegetables. It surprised me that none of the children knew what a tomato, potato, or cabbage was. What could be done to fix all of these problems?
Oliver continued by giving his plan for how to fix these terrible problems. He believes that the only way to make a real change is to fix all of the problems at once. First, supermarkets should contain a "food ambassador" who can help people shop and teach how to cook cheap and nutritional dishes. Big food brands must help with food education. Not only with young children in schools, but also with adults. Fast food chains need to slowly, but surely take out the sugar and processed food from out diets. In schools, children need to be given more fresh and nutritional dishes. Also, children need to be taught how to cook nutritional foods. Finally in the home, cooking should continue to be passed on through generations. In Huntington, West Virginia, Oliver opened "Huntington's Kitchen", a place where people come together to learn and teach how to cook for free. With such places as Huntington's Kitchen, Oliver believes that together we can begin to fix the problem that America and the entire world is facing today.
Oliver began his presentation with a startling statistic that within the eighteen minutes of the presentation four Americans would die because of the food that they eat. Was the problem of obesity that prominent? Oliver continued to state that because of the food that is fed to the youth of this country, they will live lives ten years younger than their parents. One of the most shocking statistics of the presentation came when Oliver showed a graph of the leading causes of death in the United States. Four of the top six causes of death in the United States were food/diet related diseases. It's gotten to the point that obesity costs ten percent of America's health care bills. One hundred and fifty billion dollars a year on obesity alone.
Oliver really made an impact when he began giving examples of people he met in Huntington, West Virginia. At the time, West Virginia was the most unhealthiest state in America. Oliver presented a picture of a young girl he met named Brittany. Brittany is sixteen years old and because of the food she has eaten only has six years to live. Oliver continued to present other people who are affected by obesity. He even presented people who are not obese, but have been affected by the death of family members who were. Oliver believes that it can be completely preventable.
To prevent obesity, Oliver believes we must understand what it is that we are doing wrong. He describes that the problem is originating from three pieces of a triangle, which includes homes, schools, and main street, or companies. The problems with main street include bad labeling and an increase in sugars and processed foods. In the home, the main problem is that parents and grandparents have stopped teaching children how to cook healthy nutritional food. Finally, in schools the problem is that there isn't any people who are knowledgeable enough about food to make the right decisions for what to feed the students. Another problem is that there is no food education. Oliver showed a video of himself asking young children to identify some fruits and vegetables. It surprised me that none of the children knew what a tomato, potato, or cabbage was. What could be done to fix all of these problems?
Oliver continued by giving his plan for how to fix these terrible problems. He believes that the only way to make a real change is to fix all of the problems at once. First, supermarkets should contain a "food ambassador" who can help people shop and teach how to cook cheap and nutritional dishes. Big food brands must help with food education. Not only with young children in schools, but also with adults. Fast food chains need to slowly, but surely take out the sugar and processed food from out diets. In schools, children need to be given more fresh and nutritional dishes. Also, children need to be taught how to cook nutritional foods. Finally in the home, cooking should continue to be passed on through generations. In Huntington, West Virginia, Oliver opened "Huntington's Kitchen", a place where people come together to learn and teach how to cook for free. With such places as Huntington's Kitchen, Oliver believes that together we can begin to fix the problem that America and the entire world is facing today.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Skid Row
Skid Row, Los Angeles, California is one of the most impoverished cities in the United States. It is located in Downtown, Los Angeles. It contains one of the largest populations of homelessness in the country. Skid Row was known to have its side walks riddled with cardboard boxes and camping tents for shelter. Broken down buildings and drug dealers were also a common site. Through much effort from different organizations and political reforms, Skid Row has been cleaned up a bit. The streets seem much cleaner than they once were, but for how long.
In class we watched the short documentary about the impoverished city of Skid Row. Fact after fact, the narrator surprised the entire class as we learned about the desolate area. I stared in shock at the amount of people living on the streets. I was even more surprised to hear the statistic for the average age of a homeless person. Nine years old. Skid Row was and is a very serious problem in our society. I wondered how such a problem could have been created. I suppose the city's location made it economically unstable for those trying to reside there. Maybe it's residents were unable to keep up with payments. The bulk of the population there became homeless. Soon after more homeless people began settling there as well. As the city constructed a few homes for the homeless, even more migrated to Skid Row. Although the city did it's best effort, it proved not to be enough. More had to be done.
After Skid Row received more exposure, more was done to fix it. Organizations were made to assist the homeless. The mayor ordered the hiring of more police officers to patrol the streets of Skid Row. The increase in law enforcement helped decrease the presence of drugs on the streets. It also removed most of the people living on the side walks, but where would they go? The mayor along with a few organizations built new facilities for the homeless. Shelters and government paid housing were made. The shelters provide programs from education to rehab. The government paid housing helped put many people into more stable homes. With further improvement Skid Row may one day be able to remove it's undesirable name and become it's own thriving city.
In class we watched the short documentary about the impoverished city of Skid Row. Fact after fact, the narrator surprised the entire class as we learned about the desolate area. I stared in shock at the amount of people living on the streets. I was even more surprised to hear the statistic for the average age of a homeless person. Nine years old. Skid Row was and is a very serious problem in our society. I wondered how such a problem could have been created. I suppose the city's location made it economically unstable for those trying to reside there. Maybe it's residents were unable to keep up with payments. The bulk of the population there became homeless. Soon after more homeless people began settling there as well. As the city constructed a few homes for the homeless, even more migrated to Skid Row. Although the city did it's best effort, it proved not to be enough. More had to be done.
After Skid Row received more exposure, more was done to fix it. Organizations were made to assist the homeless. The mayor ordered the hiring of more police officers to patrol the streets of Skid Row. The increase in law enforcement helped decrease the presence of drugs on the streets. It also removed most of the people living on the side walks, but where would they go? The mayor along with a few organizations built new facilities for the homeless. Shelters and government paid housing were made. The shelters provide programs from education to rehab. The government paid housing helped put many people into more stable homes. With further improvement Skid Row may one day be able to remove it's undesirable name and become it's own thriving city.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Teens and Suicide
My topic of marginalization deals with the problem of suicide around the world, but focusing more on teen suicide prevention. Suicide can be brought about by many things such as; depression, loss of a friend or family member, a break up, failing a class or feeling alone. Teens are often a large bulk of the statistics of suicides every year. Sometimes the depression that causes the suicide is considered to come from the music they listen to and fads associated with specific types of music. These teenagers may not find help because of marginalization. People may see them as delinquents and may not even consider that these teens are a danger to themselves. This lack of help and care can create even more depression. Teenagers may feel alone in their fight to keep living.
My project will consist of an organization aimed towards helping those who are considering suicide or have been affected by suicide. The organization will also educate the public about suicide prevention. It will focus more on teenagers, but also provide help for everyone. The organization will work together with recording artists and celebrities to better catch the attention and support of teens. The organization will strive to decrease the suicide rate in the United States and around the world.
My project will consist of an organization aimed towards helping those who are considering suicide or have been affected by suicide. The organization will also educate the public about suicide prevention. It will focus more on teenagers, but also provide help for everyone. The organization will work together with recording artists and celebrities to better catch the attention and support of teens. The organization will strive to decrease the suicide rate in the United States and around the world.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Beggars by Thrice
Originating from Irvine, California, Thrice, has been blessing progressive indie/ post hardcore rock with their music since 1998. The quartet consists of vocalist/guitarist Dustin Kensrue, lead guitarist Teppei Teranishi, bassist Ed Breckenridge and drummer Riley Breckenridge. In the beginning of their careers, Thrice was well known for their fast and hard style of music. Their heavily distorted guitar riffs, technical lead guitar solos and frequent changes of complex time signatures. As most artists do, Thrice grew as musicians as they grew older. This is evident in their newest album, Beggars. Their seventh and latest album is a ten song ballad about the different characteristics of humanity. Those characteristics being greed, passion, fear, regret, love, and anger. The most important message in the entire album is presented in the closing track. "Beggars" is a song about how most of the world may think they have complete control over their entire life and their circumstances, but the reality is that everything in life is out of our control in the end. Even the strongest or wealthiest can not be sure that they will wake up in the morning. Everything that we have received, everything we are, and will become has all been a gift. In that sense, we are "beggars" all.
Most of the song consists of a slow beat and soft vocals, which creates a haunting feel. Kenrue's soulful voice almost creates an image of a lonely tyrant as he realizes he has nothing left to live for. The songs power increases as the vocals become filled with anger and pain, the drums start pounding with force and the guitars begin to wail in the background. These elements help you visualize as these "men of power" lose their possessions in a hypothetical fire.
During the albums release date in 2009, the band most likely wanted to deal with the problems being faced in America. Thrice most likely felt they had to write about those corporate C.E.O.s who helped bring our nation's economy to fall while their pockets swelled. With the failing economy many people lost their jobs, Thrice also touched on the topic of the poor and their neediness. During this time of hardship there has been an increasing correlation to divorces. This leads the band to discuss the subject of divorce and lost love.
Whether you enjoy your rock fast and loud or slow and quiet, Thrice delivers music on both sides of the spectrum. If you want head banging, heart racing music, listen to The Illusion of Safety (2002) or The Artist in the Ambulance (2003). If you enjoy your rock on the softer side, check out The Alchemy Index (2007/2008) or Beggars (2009).
Thrice - "Beggars"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KhgtwsE3uc
All you great men of power, you who boast of your feats -
Politicians and entrepreneurs.
Can you safeguard your breath in the night while you sleep?
Keep your heart beating steady and sure?
As you lie in your bed, does the thought haunt your head
That you’re really, rather small?
If there’s one thing I know in this life: we are beggars all.
All you champions of science and rulers of men,
Can you summon the sun from its sleep?
Does the earth seek your counsel on how fast to spin?
Can you shut up the gates of the deep?
Don’t you know that all things hang, as if by a string,
O’er the darkness - poised to fall?
If there’s one thing I know in this life: we are beggars all.
All you big shots that swagger and stride with conceit,
Did you devise how your frame would be formed?
If you’d be raised in a palace, or live out in the streets,
Did you choose the place or the hour you’d be born?
Tell me what can you claim? Not a thing - not your name!
Tell me if you can recall just one thing,
That’s not a gift in this life?
Can you hear what’s been said?
Can you see now that everything’s grace after all?
If there’s one thing I know in this life: we are beggars all.
Most of the song consists of a slow beat and soft vocals, which creates a haunting feel. Kenrue's soulful voice almost creates an image of a lonely tyrant as he realizes he has nothing left to live for. The songs power increases as the vocals become filled with anger and pain, the drums start pounding with force and the guitars begin to wail in the background. These elements help you visualize as these "men of power" lose their possessions in a hypothetical fire.
During the albums release date in 2009, the band most likely wanted to deal with the problems being faced in America. Thrice most likely felt they had to write about those corporate C.E.O.s who helped bring our nation's economy to fall while their pockets swelled. With the failing economy many people lost their jobs, Thrice also touched on the topic of the poor and their neediness. During this time of hardship there has been an increasing correlation to divorces. This leads the band to discuss the subject of divorce and lost love.
Whether you enjoy your rock fast and loud or slow and quiet, Thrice delivers music on both sides of the spectrum. If you want head banging, heart racing music, listen to The Illusion of Safety (2002) or The Artist in the Ambulance (2003). If you enjoy your rock on the softer side, check out The Alchemy Index (2007/2008) or Beggars (2009).
Thrice - "Beggars"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KhgtwsE3uc
All you great men of power, you who boast of your feats -
Politicians and entrepreneurs.
Can you safeguard your breath in the night while you sleep?
Keep your heart beating steady and sure?
As you lie in your bed, does the thought haunt your head
That you’re really, rather small?
If there’s one thing I know in this life: we are beggars all.
All you champions of science and rulers of men,
Can you summon the sun from its sleep?
Does the earth seek your counsel on how fast to spin?
Can you shut up the gates of the deep?
Don’t you know that all things hang, as if by a string,
O’er the darkness - poised to fall?
If there’s one thing I know in this life: we are beggars all.
All you big shots that swagger and stride with conceit,
Did you devise how your frame would be formed?
If you’d be raised in a palace, or live out in the streets,
Did you choose the place or the hour you’d be born?
Tell me what can you claim? Not a thing - not your name!
Tell me if you can recall just one thing,
That’s not a gift in this life?
Can you hear what’s been said?
Can you see now that everything’s grace after all?
If there’s one thing I know in this life: we are beggars all.
Monday, February 8, 2010
This Weekend's Sneak Preview
More has to be done to protect and preserve our future in this world. We neglect too many serious issues that we must face right away. The world's natural resources are being depleted. Forests throughout the world are being cut down for lumber and to industrialize the land. Teenage pregnancy is damaging our youth. It is also one of the many reasons some teenagers drop out of school. These issues aren't only restricted to the United States. All around the world these issues are affecting us all. Poverty all over the world seems to be on the rise. The increase in poverty creates an increase in crime and drug use. We must work together to fix these issues and prevent them from increasing and reoccurring.
Although the United States tries its best to help second and third world countries, it can not be the only contributor. The other leading powers in the world must assist in helping the United States in their efforts. There has been some criticism of the United States' lack of help in situations like that of Haiti and other impoverished countries. We have to keep in mind that America is dealing with its own domestic problems like the war in Iraq and the failing economy. The United States must first deal with the majority of its own problems to further help other countries with needs. To help the needy countries, the United States must provide the tools necessary to fix the countries' problems. They must not intrude and push their ideals onto the countries. They must allow the countries to follow the appropriate steps for change.
To fix the problem of deforestation, the world's leading powers must agree on universal laws that protect certain areas of the world. The laws will prevent the cutting down of forests and trees and in some cases hunting of certain animals and species. The laws will also help in the world's attempt to stop global warming and to become more "green".
Our efforts as individuals, just like of our nation's leaders, most also be increased. We must stress the importance of an education. Even in countries outside of North America, education must be further enforced. The enforcement of education will increase the amount of people that are qualified for work. This will than decrease the population of the poor. Creating jobs for those who can teach other citizens is just one example of how the education systems in impoverished countries can make progress.
We must also stress the importance of abstinence and safe sex among teenagers. The youth of every country must realize the potential risks of unprotected sex. Sex education should be taught throughout the world. On the other hand, those young mothers and fathers must also be helped. Parenting classes should also be taught. Special organizations should donate the essentials that any mother may need like diapers and baby formula.
Although the world faces many issues that seem to pile on top of each other one after the other. We must attempt to work together to fix these problems for the greater good of our world as a whole.
Although the United States tries its best to help second and third world countries, it can not be the only contributor. The other leading powers in the world must assist in helping the United States in their efforts. There has been some criticism of the United States' lack of help in situations like that of Haiti and other impoverished countries. We have to keep in mind that America is dealing with its own domestic problems like the war in Iraq and the failing economy. The United States must first deal with the majority of its own problems to further help other countries with needs. To help the needy countries, the United States must provide the tools necessary to fix the countries' problems. They must not intrude and push their ideals onto the countries. They must allow the countries to follow the appropriate steps for change.
To fix the problem of deforestation, the world's leading powers must agree on universal laws that protect certain areas of the world. The laws will prevent the cutting down of forests and trees and in some cases hunting of certain animals and species. The laws will also help in the world's attempt to stop global warming and to become more "green".
Our efforts as individuals, just like of our nation's leaders, most also be increased. We must stress the importance of an education. Even in countries outside of North America, education must be further enforced. The enforcement of education will increase the amount of people that are qualified for work. This will than decrease the population of the poor. Creating jobs for those who can teach other citizens is just one example of how the education systems in impoverished countries can make progress.
We must also stress the importance of abstinence and safe sex among teenagers. The youth of every country must realize the potential risks of unprotected sex. Sex education should be taught throughout the world. On the other hand, those young mothers and fathers must also be helped. Parenting classes should also be taught. Special organizations should donate the essentials that any mother may need like diapers and baby formula.
Although the world faces many issues that seem to pile on top of each other one after the other. We must attempt to work together to fix these problems for the greater good of our world as a whole.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Are We Being Spied On?
I would have to say no. Potential employers are not "spying" on potential job applicants. They are merely trying to establish a more credible interpretation of who they are considering as an employee. Businesses are looking for individuals who will present themselves professionally within their company. It would look very bad for a business to hire someone who experiments with drugs and alcohol or involved in any illegal activities. I am not one to judge, but if you allow yourself or others to post pictures of yourself that you don't want employers to see than you are simply setting yourself up for disappointment. If you do participate in these types of activities just change your settings so no one can see them or don't post them at all. There are settings that don't show pictures of yourself when being tagged in someone's photos. Maybe you shouldn't be doing these activities to begin with. Businesses are trying to find the best candidate for the job. They are not looking for someone careless and irresponsible. They want an employee who will put forth maximum effort into their work and not jeopardize themselves or the company. If you wish to post incriminating photos of yourself than the employers have the right to be checking them. If you didn't have anything to hide than there would be no problem with them checking. We should be more conscious of how we portray ourselves on the internet if we wish to be seen as respectable, responsible and professional individuals. Those of us who have nothing to hide, or at least know how to, take the correct steps to further our professional careers in the university and in the job market.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Welcome to Blogging!!
Thanks to Natasha's help I have managed to successfully create my own blog and respond to her blog. In the past I have had a blog on Livejournal.com. A website used as an online day to day journal. A few years ago I decided to join Livejournal because many of my friends had their own blogs. As I was new to blogging I decided to have my settings so that only my friends could see my posts. I began posting short blogs about how my days in school were and about my weekends. After a week or two I felt more comfortable blogging about my feelings, my outlooks on life, dreams, and even some poetry I have written. I mostly wrote in the first person, considering that it was a journal for myself to look back on in the future. To this day I prefer writing in the first person. I have always felt that writing in the first person makes the author more tangible to the reader. I feel the reader should be able to compare themselves not only to the events in a writing but also to the author. I found new ideas and perspectives from the blogs posted by my friends and always enjoyed reading new ones. After about two years of blogging on Livejournal I abruptly stopped. It had lost its charm. I log on to Livejournal whenever I feel nostalgic. I find it amazing how vivid all my memories of my posts are. I have become a better writer since then, but I still have more growing to do. In the recent past, before this class began, I made an account on Twitter. I decided to make one because I liked the idea of writing short updates about my daily life and being able to see my friend's updates. I only allow people who I know to follow me. I post updates about funny occurrences in my life, events, pictures of something interesting I see and more. Blogging is a great way to stay connected and to learn of new ideas. I plan to continue blogging until I am an old man and I can no longer keep up with technology.
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