Wednesday, April 27, 2011
The Final Identity
I Learned
After reading Literacy as Situated Practice, it made me realize how much non formal education has occurred for me in my lifetime. To be honest, most of what I have learned have come in these kind of settings. Interactions are very important to me. I have been a person who listens closely to what everyone around me says. Experience and wisdom from others is something that has always been fascinating to me. So it makes sense that learning comes in out of classroom settings as well as classroom settings. This does not mean that the classroom is not important, but the combination of the two, I believe, is very important in a person's growth.
Growing up, I remember sitting around every neighborhood I lived in and just taking in everything the "old heads" would talk about. I would watch what my older siblings and others would do. All these people would try to teach me things just randomly. I always figured they were bored and had nothing else to do but bother me. But I learned plenty of things when looking back on it. One event that really sticks out to me is when I used to have to ride the MATA bus home everyday. After school I would catch the 69 on Winchester and it would take me to Whitehaven where I would get off on Neely Rd.
When I first started riding, I was with my older brother. When he left to go live with his mother I had to ride alone. So when the women and the bus driver realized that I was by myself for now on, they began to watch after me. They taught me things about crossing the street and paying attention to my surroundings. They even taught me things I would learn in school, such as the ships that Columbus brought when sailing and correct English, which I still struggle with. Even when a new bus driver would drive the bus, the old one would tell him about me. Times on the bus were very important in my development I believe. I learned a lot that I still use to this day. It helped me realize that someone can learn anywhere.
Growing up, I remember sitting around every neighborhood I lived in and just taking in everything the "old heads" would talk about. I would watch what my older siblings and others would do. All these people would try to teach me things just randomly. I always figured they were bored and had nothing else to do but bother me. But I learned plenty of things when looking back on it. One event that really sticks out to me is when I used to have to ride the MATA bus home everyday. After school I would catch the 69 on Winchester and it would take me to Whitehaven where I would get off on Neely Rd.
When I first started riding, I was with my older brother. When he left to go live with his mother I had to ride alone. So when the women and the bus driver realized that I was by myself for now on, they began to watch after me. They taught me things about crossing the street and paying attention to my surroundings. They even taught me things I would learn in school, such as the ships that Columbus brought when sailing and correct English, which I still struggle with. Even when a new bus driver would drive the bus, the old one would tell him about me. Times on the bus were very important in my development I believe. I learned a lot that I still use to this day. It helped me realize that someone can learn anywhere.
Push Forward...Do Not Be a Bystander
In chapter 9 of the book Soul of a Citizen, there was a feud between RAN and Mitsubishi. Mitsubishi was cutting down trees for lumber in the natural rainforest. RAN decided to campaign against Mitsubishi that would eventually force them to stop destroying the rainforest. At a conference later on down the road, the RAN president saw an executive officer of Mitsubishi. He tried to avoid the office because of the hostility that had built up over time. They eventually ran into each other at the hot tub. It was strange for a while until the Mitsubishi executive officer told the RAN president thank you for what they had done. The Mitsubishi executive officer and other officers of the company had wanted to say something for so long but did not know how to. And he appreciated RAN because it would allow the rainforests to be around so that their grandchildren could enjoy them.
This was a lesson in not being a bystander. A bystander is someone who sits around and expects someone else to handle the situation. Even though the Mitsubishi executive did not want to be a bystander, he had a career and a family to look after. We have all been bystanders in some sense, but we have to begin to realize what we are doing. We have to take steps to correct what we believe is incorrect. I have had situations were I have had to stand up to authority regardless of my job circumstance because it was very important to me. Even in my undergraduate years at Rhodes College, I stood up to what I believed was a policy that was being enforced incorrectly by campus safety. A few other students and I were applauded for our efforts. Since then, I have tried my best to not be a bystander, but continue to push forward on anything that I believe needs to be changed.
This was a lesson in not being a bystander. A bystander is someone who sits around and expects someone else to handle the situation. Even though the Mitsubishi executive did not want to be a bystander, he had a career and a family to look after. We have all been bystanders in some sense, but we have to begin to realize what we are doing. We have to take steps to correct what we believe is incorrect. I have had situations were I have had to stand up to authority regardless of my job circumstance because it was very important to me. Even in my undergraduate years at Rhodes College, I stood up to what I believed was a policy that was being enforced incorrectly by campus safety. A few other students and I were applauded for our efforts. Since then, I have tried my best to not be a bystander, but continue to push forward on anything that I believe needs to be changed.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Thanks For the Help Pops
My father and I have a strange relationship. Do not get me wrong, I love my father. The thing is we had many fall outs throughout my almost 23 years on this Earth. Growing up you always so your father as a superhero. Nobody could stop him if you asked me. But I did see the rougher sides of him while my mother and him were married. As I got older I began to catch on to certain things that I did not like about how the situation with him and my mother were. I also started listening to my older siblings as well about how they grew up. My father caught on to this and we begin to argue often and not talk for months at a time. He knew I thought a lot about everything just like he did. But when I look back, I had to tell myself the things were petty and he was very helpful.
I believe my father so something in me that he wish could have happened for him. He had a scholarship to attend Kentucky but turned it down when my grandmother was diagnosed with cancer to help her out. Two of my older siblings dropped out of high school and the third was pregnant when she graduated and did not want to go to college. I was next, and he saw something in many that he wanted to be manifested. My father was very instrumental in my education. He had me thinking critically at a young age, challenging me with questions and pressuring me to get better. I was almost competitive in some sense. But all that did was make me want to receive an education and do better for my entire family, including him.
So after all we have been through, I have to look back and say that the superhero may have just knew that I was the one to help save us. I have to say Thanks for the Help Pops. I know plenty of friends who never had their parents care or help. I had two and I appreciate that.
I believe my father so something in me that he wish could have happened for him. He had a scholarship to attend Kentucky but turned it down when my grandmother was diagnosed with cancer to help her out. Two of my older siblings dropped out of high school and the third was pregnant when she graduated and did not want to go to college. I was next, and he saw something in many that he wanted to be manifested. My father was very instrumental in my education. He had me thinking critically at a young age, challenging me with questions and pressuring me to get better. I was almost competitive in some sense. But all that did was make me want to receive an education and do better for my entire family, including him.
So after all we have been through, I have to look back and say that the superhero may have just knew that I was the one to help save us. I have to say Thanks for the Help Pops. I know plenty of friends who never had their parents care or help. I had two and I appreciate that.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
How To Learn English...I Don't Know
I think it is very funny how we expect most people to know English. Even when we go to other countries, we always can ask for menus at restaurants in English. But I wonder do most people ever think about how difficult a language English is to learn. I understand that any language will be difficult to learn when you have not been around it. It also depends on when you begin to learn it. It is much easier to learn a language, or anything for that matter, when you are younger. But when thinking about people whose primary language is not English and who are coming to English speaking counties, especially the United States, how do they adjust and learn while working.
Lets just look at three words: rough, though, through. These words end the same way but are completely different in how they sound. There are many words like that in the English language. Also sentence structure is very different. English in general is just very different from almost all other languages. Then nonverbal communication brings into account a totally different set of things to learn. With this country becoming more diverse in a language sense, I believe that we need to become more conscious of helping others with language barriers, especially if we are hiring them for these positions. We also need to begin to work on our nonverbal skills with these people to help the adjustment.
Lets just look at three words: rough, though, through. These words end the same way but are completely different in how they sound. There are many words like that in the English language. Also sentence structure is very different. English in general is just very different from almost all other languages. Then nonverbal communication brings into account a totally different set of things to learn. With this country becoming more diverse in a language sense, I believe that we need to become more conscious of helping others with language barriers, especially if we are hiring them for these positions. We also need to begin to work on our nonverbal skills with these people to help the adjustment.
Why Can't I Stay Up To Date!!
As I was watching television the other day, I saw a commercial for Best Buy. The company has started a program in which they will buy back products when more up to date products reach the market. This seems like a great idea because you believe these companies will have the ability to break down the old technology and dispose of it correctly or reuse it. But to me the craziest thing was the fact that a company has come to realize that technology is changing so rapidly that people are becoming frustrated and are lost in a sense because there is actually no way to really keep up with technological advances.
As we have discussed in our Education and Community class, this is becoming ridiculous in a sense. These companies are making alot of money to force people keep up with the changes. This can cause financial and psychological stress for some. Many people thrive on technology. Then when you add what it is doing to our planet, you begin to wonder how to stop this. I have no solutions myself at the moment, but can we please start thinking about it. Maybe the new phone that will come out next month can help us organize our ideas...
As we have discussed in our Education and Community class, this is becoming ridiculous in a sense. These companies are making alot of money to force people keep up with the changes. This can cause financial and psychological stress for some. Many people thrive on technology. Then when you add what it is doing to our planet, you begin to wonder how to stop this. I have no solutions myself at the moment, but can we please start thinking about it. Maybe the new phone that will come out next month can help us organize our ideas...
Monday, March 28, 2011
Make Me Change
I believe as Americans we are spoiled. We expect everything to go our way and people to have things ready for us. We had a discussion in one of my classes about how when we go to other countries we expect for them to have a menu in English for us. So why is it we make it so difficult on non-English speaking people or people who learned Englis as a second language. We do not want to help accomodate them at all. We feel as though they should assilimilate as soon as they make the land. This is not to say that they should not try and learn the language, but I do feel as though we do not try and help them through the process. This is a land where people came to have freedom but I feel as though we are forcing people to lose sense of there heritage in some ways. I may be exteme with these statements but we have to realize that we have realize that we assume that we are dominant which we should change. This was just a small rant that I believe could be powerful.
My How Times Have Changed
Last week made me think about how much of a consumer I actually am. I really have to say that I did not grow up with a silver spoon but I definitely was not as misfortuned as some of the people I know. My parents tried their hardest to get me everything I needed, maybe not wanted but needed. I always remember that. It is one of those things that you really did not realize what you did not have until you were older. Then when you get older you realize you had just a little more than you thought a few years ago.
But my mother has said that I better have a great job because I have a very expensive lifestyle. I always look at her funny because I always felt that I worked hard for everything I get and I do not get everything I want. I feel as though I bargain well. But after ready a few chapters in Soul of a Citizen, I realize that my mother is correct. She says I get it honest. My father is the same way because he grew up with never receivng anything he wanted. My grandmother could not afford it. I guess I always wanted to be like my father. But I see now that I have to think about why I am actually buying things. Do I need them?
This society makes us feel as though we have to always be updated. In some ways we do. But I have come to a point now I believe that I can say that I am actually slowing down. I now have a phone that I am not tired of yet and it has been a year. I know that may not sound like much, but for the person I know I am and trying to get away from, that is alot!!!
NOW IT'S TIME TO CONTINUE THIS PROCESS!!!
But my mother has said that I better have a great job because I have a very expensive lifestyle. I always look at her funny because I always felt that I worked hard for everything I get and I do not get everything I want. I feel as though I bargain well. But after ready a few chapters in Soul of a Citizen, I realize that my mother is correct. She says I get it honest. My father is the same way because he grew up with never receivng anything he wanted. My grandmother could not afford it. I guess I always wanted to be like my father. But I see now that I have to think about why I am actually buying things. Do I need them?
This society makes us feel as though we have to always be updated. In some ways we do. But I have come to a point now I believe that I can say that I am actually slowing down. I now have a phone that I am not tired of yet and it has been a year. I know that may not sound like much, but for the person I know I am and trying to get away from, that is alot!!!
NOW IT'S TIME TO CONTINUE THIS PROCESS!!!
Monday, March 21, 2011
Engaging Fathers...Investing in Families
On March 12, I had the opportunity to Attend Engaging Fathers...Investing in Families, an event that was put on by the Memphis Area Fatherhood Coalition (MAF-C). The event including to prominent psychologist on black fatherhood and families, Dr. Joe White and Dr. Wade Nobles. I have to say that they program was very thought provoking while touching on different areas.
There were workshops for first-time fathers, non-custodial fathers, and engaged fathers. Since I am not a father at this time, I decided to attend the non-custodial father since that was the same position my father was in. It was a very good conversation about the rights of non-custodial fathers and a great speech about how fathers who are incarcerated can still be involved in their children's lives. It made me realize how so many children also have aggression towards their fathers because of their mothers.
What I enjoyed the most was the barbershop talks. This were two portions of the event were men would get together on stage on bring up questions about parenthood, fatherhood, and manhood. Members of the crowd who had questions could come into the barbershop and getting a haircut while bringing their questions to the "old heads". What question that came up was can there be fatherhood without manhood? I was strange because many do not know how to answer that question. Some answered the question as if they were men so thats it, but did not think of the mentality it takes to be a man or a father.
I have to say this was an important event because to many black men, the barbershop is your first college in a sense. It is the place where you actually start putting critical thinking skills to use. You are at the barbershop starting at a young age all the way to adulthood. You learn and take what you learn and hopefully use it in your life. It is how many blacks learn in the community.
There were workshops for first-time fathers, non-custodial fathers, and engaged fathers. Since I am not a father at this time, I decided to attend the non-custodial father since that was the same position my father was in. It was a very good conversation about the rights of non-custodial fathers and a great speech about how fathers who are incarcerated can still be involved in their children's lives. It made me realize how so many children also have aggression towards their fathers because of their mothers.
What I enjoyed the most was the barbershop talks. This were two portions of the event were men would get together on stage on bring up questions about parenthood, fatherhood, and manhood. Members of the crowd who had questions could come into the barbershop and getting a haircut while bringing their questions to the "old heads". What question that came up was can there be fatherhood without manhood? I was strange because many do not know how to answer that question. Some answered the question as if they were men so thats it, but did not think of the mentality it takes to be a man or a father.
I have to say this was an important event because to many black men, the barbershop is your first college in a sense. It is the place where you actually start putting critical thinking skills to use. You are at the barbershop starting at a young age all the way to adulthood. You learn and take what you learn and hopefully use it in your life. It is how many blacks learn in the community.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
What if?
Lets think back about our lives. I was born in 1988, so my knowledge about life, regardless of research, will be considerably different from others. Even with those differences, think about all the electronics in your life that you have used and/or upgraded. Hard to remember everything is it not? Thats fine, because we all will be like that. The problem is why do we have to upgrade continuously?
After the readings for this week it made me think about my life and how technology has affected it. I love my phone, the Droid X. I love my lap top and my flat screen television. But when somthing new comes out I will obviously want it. But what if something new did not come out every two months?
Lets think about if appliances and other products were made to last for a significantly longer time (which I believe they actually could be). We all the e-waste that we produce wouldn't the environment be much better. What if all this competition for people to have the newest whatever was cut down to maybe just twice a year. Maybe the economy would be better.
With all the toxic waste that is produced from electronics its hard to believe we are still stable individuals. I believe that they are needed but not to the extent that we have them now. Better made products will make for a better world. We have to think about the future and our children. What if they is taken away?
After the readings for this week it made me think about my life and how technology has affected it. I love my phone, the Droid X. I love my lap top and my flat screen television. But when somthing new comes out I will obviously want it. But what if something new did not come out every two months?
Lets think about if appliances and other products were made to last for a significantly longer time (which I believe they actually could be). We all the e-waste that we produce wouldn't the environment be much better. What if all this competition for people to have the newest whatever was cut down to maybe just twice a year. Maybe the economy would be better.
With all the toxic waste that is produced from electronics its hard to believe we are still stable individuals. I believe that they are needed but not to the extent that we have them now. Better made products will make for a better world. We have to think about the future and our children. What if they is taken away?
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Erin Brockovich
As compared to the book, Soul of a Citizen, Erin Brockovich shares another experience of someone who came from out of no where and helped fight a battle that was at first not even in their plans. Erin, like others from the book, was just living and trying to make ends meet for her and her children. After discovering some information, she went further into investigating. Realizing the harm that a company can do to her neighborhood really inspired her. Many in Soul of a Citizen were the same way. They discovered things that they wanted to help change. Both also were very willing to get out and risk much time and effort to ensure that they could actually help enforce changes.
After reading the last chapter, Erin did spend alot of time fighting against this company and trying to get things changed in Hinkley, which in some cases took away time with her children. The last chapter spoke on not stretching yourself thin. Even in the movie, other families had other things to worry about. Erin Brockovich did as well.
After reading the last chapter, Erin did spend alot of time fighting against this company and trying to get things changed in Hinkley, which in some cases took away time with her children. The last chapter spoke on not stretching yourself thin. Even in the movie, other families had other things to worry about. Erin Brockovich did as well.
Monday, February 14, 2011
What Does Not Educate Us?
Name one thing that you can say does not help educate you as a human being. After reading an article about how zoos and aquariums are places in the community that can be useful as teaching tools, it made me begin to think about what a teaching mechanism really is. I am one of the people who actually go to the zoo and read the facts that are posted around the zoo. While most people are walking and enjoying the area. I am learning.
But I began to see that in some sense everyone is learning. Everyone will once in a while go up to an animal and want to know what it is. Many bring their children who will definitely ask questions. A great example is when new animals begin to appear at the zoo. At the Memphis Zoo, the pandas were a tremendous attraction. You began to see people researching more about them and discovering things about the natural habitat that they are in. I believe many places are like this.
I think of sports and the fundamentals and mindset it takes to play them. I think of even incidents that are harmful. They can lead to teaching for children and others. I feel as though we should take advantage of all that we have and try to educate ourselves about them.
But I began to see that in some sense everyone is learning. Everyone will once in a while go up to an animal and want to know what it is. Many bring their children who will definitely ask questions. A great example is when new animals begin to appear at the zoo. At the Memphis Zoo, the pandas were a tremendous attraction. You began to see people researching more about them and discovering things about the natural habitat that they are in. I believe many places are like this.
I think of sports and the fundamentals and mindset it takes to play them. I think of even incidents that are harmful. They can lead to teaching for children and others. I feel as though we should take advantage of all that we have and try to educate ourselves about them.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Educating in the Community
We seem to always perceive education as occuring in the classroom setting. We fail to realize how teaching occurs in everyday life. I think that we have to look into our communities and see how we pay attention to what is going on around us and educating ourselves about how to handle these situations. I think of the Hollywood community of Memphis, Tennessee. It is a community that has much pride from the residents. For most people you would not know why the word pride would be used. The neighborhood has many abodoned homes and no commercial retail places. Crime tends to be high in the area and other problems also occur. So why would I associate pride with this community?
Hollywood residents are working together to try and better the neighborhood. The neighborhood gained its name because of the fashion stores that once were in the area. The residents may not want that appeal anymore, but they do want to feel safe and know that their neighborhood is not seen as an eye sore to the city. Community members have started planting community gardens and having community meetings about how to improve the neighborhood. They are going to city officials about issues that they have. Even though, they may not have done one huge thing, the small things continue to make a difference and is helping create a better life for all.
Hollywood residents are working together to try and better the neighborhood. The neighborhood gained its name because of the fashion stores that once were in the area. The residents may not want that appeal anymore, but they do want to feel safe and know that their neighborhood is not seen as an eye sore to the city. Community members have started planting community gardens and having community meetings about how to improve the neighborhood. They are going to city officials about issues that they have. Even though, they may not have done one huge thing, the small things continue to make a difference and is helping create a better life for all.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Community and Memphis
Being raised in Memphis my entire life, I love stories of events or times in the city. The article, Memphis Building Community, really stands out to me. Gloria Wade-Gayles speaks of growing up in the South Memphis community of Foote Homes housing projects. This is a community that has been home to many people and generations over the years. In the city of Memphis people seem to enjoy showing the pride they have for their community. Wade-Gayles is the same, saying how the community was cleana because people took the time to clean their porches and shine their doorknobs. They cared about the appearance of the community. She spoke of how you did not have to leave home to get a haircut or your hair fix. People knew who lived in their neighborhoods. Children were out playing in the community. Even though they were oppressed, you could not tell unless you knew their address.
I read this and I still see the pride in what community you are from in Memphis. What I do not see is people taking care of the community like they use to. Even as times have change for the better, Foote Homes and other projects in the city begin to take on a more stereotypical look for a housing project. Why hasn't the same pride in looking as good as higher economic areas sustained? It is a question that crosses my mind everyday. Maybe it really isn't a community anymore because of the people. Maybe they all do not have the same goals in mind.
I read this and I still see the pride in what community you are from in Memphis. What I do not see is people taking care of the community like they use to. Even as times have change for the better, Foote Homes and other projects in the city begin to take on a more stereotypical look for a housing project. Why hasn't the same pride in looking as good as higher economic areas sustained? It is a question that crosses my mind everyday. Maybe it really isn't a community anymore because of the people. Maybe they all do not have the same goals in mind.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Introduction into Fletcher Ferguson
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