tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74657981865635996412024-03-05T03:41:45.590-08:00'16 ILC at PennDon Gosneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17110247579694408858noreply@blogger.comBlogger87125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7465798186563599641.post-61150735476203967382019-11-30T02:01:00.001-08:002019-11-30T02:04:03.182-08:00Indefinite Removal of Posts<div style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">For the past few years, I’ve been debating what I should do about my posts on this blog.</span></div>
<div style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Since attending the Social Justice Research Academy back in 2016, I’ve continued trying to educate myself about social justice, learning about histories of injustices </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">and about frameworks of justice </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">that have been excluded throughout most of my education in schools while unlearning capitalist, colonialist, cisheteropatriarchical, white supremacist, and other oppressive ways of thinking. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In doing so, I realized that my posts, as well as the ideas and arguments contained within them, support and uphold these unjust systems that have oppressed and continue to oppress people who hold marginalized identities, especially Black, Indigenous, and POC communities, as well as the logics associated with these oppressive systems that attempt to justify continued violence against peoples while erasing the histories of violence that society, particularly for those who hold positions of relative power and privilege, no longer deem morally acceptable. </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">They reflect my prior ignorance of historical injustices as well as of oppressive systems, as a result of having received sanitized versions of history in schools and from dominant forms of media that glorified colonialist histories.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Furthermore, I recognize that it is especially harmful that I presented the ideas under the appearance of supporting social justice, when in reality they were actually antithetical to the causes. I’ve been reflecting on the best course of action to go about redressing the forms of injustices I've contributed to, and I’ve decided on the following actions, while providing the reasoning behind each of them. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">First, I’ve decided to indefinitely remove the harmful content to prevent further harm to minoritized communities and demonstrate that I absolutely reject those ideas. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I have also decided to include this reflection as a way to name and acknowledge the ways in which I perpetuated injustices and to not contribute to erasure of unjust histories. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Finally, I would like to apologize to the communities who my ideas undermined, and affirm my commitment to keep educating myself about and support social justice efforts, as well as stand in solidarity with marginalized peoples.</span></div>
Christopher Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03432806074212700654noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7465798186563599641.post-72079938096893922222016-08-16T14:52:00.002-07:002016-08-16T14:52:34.059-07:00Reminiscing the University of Pennsylvania<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The opportunity that I was
given to attend the University of Pennsylvania went by faster than I ever
thought it would. The day I left felt like the first day I stepped into
Philadelphia was only yesterday. I walked into the Quadrangle not knowing what
I would expect. The only thing I knew were the people I came there with –
Allonna, Chris, and Diana. I was released in an unfamiliar environment to
adapt, learn, grow, and be strong representatives for our area. As I returned, I
became more developed in my mindset, personality, beliefs, goals, and overall
character from when I left the Bay Area. If it weren’t for the University of
Pennsylvania, I don’t believe I would be as exposed and understanding to the
world I have been living in my whole life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj25A0TKykJXJpeDaed1C66KCkd3ecpA9UbrjWu9WRPP3Z0c3YTs2iCk9TELBqE_heML7gUUOVlGC3mRfQEWm-pRNV8hkR8uR3_IvQs9J4xr3t0WICiDnDIeqN6Rd8J13CPz_eB8FmZBgg/s1600/16+Penn+Departs-011AA-DG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj25A0TKykJXJpeDaed1C66KCkd3ecpA9UbrjWu9WRPP3Z0c3YTs2iCk9TELBqE_heML7gUUOVlGC3mRfQEWm-pRNV8hkR8uR3_IvQs9J4xr3t0WICiDnDIeqN6Rd8J13CPz_eB8FmZBgg/s640/16+Penn+Departs-011AA-DG.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From the Beginning</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">From the moment I had
stepped onto the campus, I felt at home. The program directors, other students,
and the dorm counselors made the UPENN campus feel extremely welcoming. All,
were friendly and filled with eager and excitement to be and have us there.
There were plenty RC’s around who helped us with our bags and showed us to our
dorms. We were given tours of the Quad, campus, and “home” area to familiarize
our surroundings. This hospitality and their positive attitudes made adjusting
to the new area comforting and easy. The vibes and mood I sensed of the campus
allowed me to feel comfortable being myself and opening up to new people. No
one was judgmental and accepting of one another. It wasn’t difficult to grow so
attached to the university.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">At UPENN, I was always
encouraged to experience new things. I was given plenty of opportunities to
make new friends, know the people in my dorm, and have space to myself to
settle into my dorm; we had ice breakers for an entire week. There were
activity sign-ups for throughout the week with a variety of choices to choose
from. The activities ranged from Phillies games, to the mall, ice skating, laser
tag, magic garden (garden filled with mosaics and flowers), movie dates, duck
tours, spa nights, talent shows, cheese steak days, trivia nights, and so much
more. With all of these activities to choose from, it was hard not finding
something that you would be interested in or even trying out for the first
time. I am a major fan of baseball and the San Francisco Giants. Experiencing a
free baseball game at a beautiful stadium could not get any better than the
opportunity PENN had offered me. Along that trip, I also met a new friend from
San Jose who’s a Giant’s fan too – we still keep in contact today. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Aside from the
spectacular events they had lined up for us, the university had entrusted with us
a great amount of independence. UPENN treated me as an actual undergraduate
student enrolled at the school. I was living on the campus, I was expected to
handle all my business, and I could walk anywhere within the “home” area and
throughout campus with the comfort of knowing I was in a safe environment. I
never was once scared or felt as if I were in danger or at risk. It was always
best to go places with a buddy, but being alone never bothered me. I was
independent and free – to an extent. I was in control of what I wanted to do,
when I would do something, where I pleased to go, etc. I was still required to follow
within the program’s boundaries and rules, but this opportunity gave me a taste
of the college life and real world. I never really had this much leisure and
independence back home, so when I first found out this would be my lifestyle
for three weeks, I did my best to enjoy and take advantage of it. I explored
the campus and home area, tried new food restaurants, and did my own thing.
Getting a feel of Philadelphia and the University of Pennsylvania, I knew I
belonged there. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">With this great amount of
privilege, I had at UPENN, came an equal amount of responsibility and
trustworthiness that coincided with it. All students were required to go to
class on their own, get up on their own, complete all assignments, be in your
room by a certain time, follow all of the given rules, etc. Upholding my end to
these requirements was not hard, at least I thought. Before I came to the University of
Pennsylvania, I was naïve. I convinced myself that I could handle anything that
was thrown my way, including the college life. Being at this prestigious
university, I received a major reality check throughout my time there. I
juggled between class, homework, and blogging along with giving myself enough
time to participate in activities and get enough sleep for the next day. I had
underestimated the energy it would take me to handle all of these efficiently. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Class was at least six
hours each day with an hour in-between for lunch. The homework consisted of
article readings, watching Ted-Talks or videos, and responding to discussion
questions in relation to the topic of the day as well as a final capstone
project with scholarly research. Trying to complete my daily responsibilities
along with getting enough rest and down time was harder than I had anticipated.
I began working through a system to where I would sleep for a few hours then
stay awake the rest of the night completing my all my work and blogs before
class started; it wasn’t the best system. This worked for the first week but
after that, I began knocking out right when I got to my dorm room until sign-in
time near 11:00 PM. As I got back, I would knockout again. Because I didn’t
learn how to manage my time and allowed procrastination to get the best of me,
I began falling behind in my blogs. I was aware of the challenges I would have
prior to actually attending PENN when it was explained to me, but I never fully
grasped the understanding of it until my warning became my reality. I, of
course, got back on top of this...eventually. From what I learned out of this
is experience, I will use best to my advantage in preparation of my future. This
includes focusing my attention on skills such as time-management, multitasking,
researching, and balancing out my budget. This lesson was only one of many I
would have coming my way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">As I first started the
Social Justice Research Academy, I thought I knew about Social Justice and the
real things occurring in society – I didn’t. I was ignorant, more than I
thought I was. Each day we unpacked an intriguing new topic ranging from the
death penalty, LBGTQ+ community, race and policing, disabilities, social
impact, violence against women, religion and discrimination, environmental
injustices, poverty and housing, and the list goes on. We went into depth of
what each topic is, why it’s considered as a social justice issue, viewed films
about these issues, what causes these societal problems, etc. We participated
in interactive activities such as listening to one another’s thoughts about
these concerns and discussed ways that we could actually change this within our
society in discussion groups, built our own ideal education system, taught the
class about gender, sex, and sex category. Outside of class, we were taken
through different parts of Philadelphia where we visually learned about these issues
in museums dedicated to the topic we were learning about or different neighborhoods
where these injustices are occurring in. The program helped us learn more about
each other and the areas and backgrounds in which we all come from.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj02jxKEZ6RWiphDMV10XJblOdaI_qP77x5o9-4kVlxHo25qQ7_ZJwIuLM2nQf9DN_lEhYgEab-mu7zoDCfhEsSwTgvj1uObz5LrtumPtrXDDRZof_YAreyHN9NdPlEnyRqLq_YoQKLg_s/s1600/JH.10.18A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj02jxKEZ6RWiphDMV10XJblOdaI_qP77x5o9-4kVlxHo25qQ7_ZJwIuLM2nQf9DN_lEhYgEab-mu7zoDCfhEsSwTgvj1uObz5LrtumPtrXDDRZof_YAreyHN9NdPlEnyRqLq_YoQKLg_s/s640/JH.10.18A.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">To the Middle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">If I was not a part of
the Social Justice Research Academy, I would not have fully understood the
meaning or the history tying into today’s problems or even the real meaning of
some of our topics. For example, the discrimination leading back toward the
segregation times had, and still does, a major effect to housing locations and
conditions of where people of color were living, the majority of them in
poverty. Moving into a better neighborhood was made difficult due to the
pricing and the violence used against them. In third world countries, young
girls are getting kidnapped, raped, then married to the abductor as a part of
the culture there. When you’re disabled, the real struggle is not just dealing
with your disability, but the way in which you are treated by society for
having that disability or accommodating to a world that is not accessible to
you. Gender is a way of identifying with how you perceive yourself or who you
define yourself as while sex, is the physical genitalia you were born with, and
sex category is the male, female, transgender category in which you are labeled
in society. These few things are only scratching the surface of what we
uncovered. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Throughout the program,
there has been a few things that stood out the most to me. As we learned for
three weeks in class, we had touched upon the areas of privilege and social
impact. Many of us are unaware of and don’t appreciate enough of having the things
that we do or for who we are as individuals. There are things that put you at
an advantage or disadvantage within our society that may or may not be able to
control. Those things may be the gender you identify as or sex you were born,
your race, social class, income, and the list goes on. For those areas you are
at a disadvantage at, you may have wealth somewhere else such as a family,
home, higher education, etc. A lot of these things can be turned beneficial
depending on the choices you make. Every choice that we decide upon has an
effect on not only our lives but the rest of society, whether it’s large or
small. A decision you may view as so small or insignificant may lead to a great
deal of change later on down the road. Even I had not realized this before
until it was broken down right in front of my eyes. Learning this has made me
feel more appreciative of my life and resources I have I never considered
before. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Without the support of Professor
Hansen, along with the TA’s, dissecting each issue with a guest speaker, I
would not have absorbed so much knowledge and gained a deeper understanding of
the society we’re living in. Towards the beginning of class, all of them would
rotate days to instruct or break down a topic before going into further detail
about it. This way of teaching allowed me to follow the lesson plan with ease
if I had little knowledge of the topic itself. They have exposed me to so many
different ways of learning and perspectives that I have never even thought of
before. They encouraged me to think with an open mindset, use different methods
of problem-solving, become interactive, and find my own definition of what
social justice is. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">During my time in the
Social Justice Research Academy, I learned about the definition of Social
Justice. The reality of this definition is that there is no specific meaning to
these two words – we create our own meaning. What people see as a social
justice varies on perspective of that individual along with what they choose to
do about it. It’s not something everyone will agree on or even believe in and
is realistically, something that seems futile to achieve. But, if we do not
give any attempt to change this, these results will remain that way. My
definition of Social Justice means balancing out our society to where everyone
has access to resources, opportunity, education, affordable living areas,
medication, health or support services, food, etc. or to where everyone has a
fair chance at surviving. It will be challenging trying to achieve this with
history being known to repeat along with long-lasted societal constructs and
stereotypes, but a small effort can influence a change to be slowly
implemented.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I have been educated
greatly in ways that I could not have received from a more fitting university than
UPENN. The many lessons I was taught, were instructed within the boundaries of
the classroom as well as beyond the historic walls. Those lessons reflected on
life, society, and the pursuit of seeking justice for all as we were promised
back when this nation was formed. I chose to participate in the Social Justice
Research Academy to learn these life lessons and find ways to apply it to my
life and the ones surrounding me. With the knowledge I gained from this
program, I know I can make an impact in the world in some way. This school, and
program, has helped further guide me along the path in pursuing my passion and
hopefully transforming into my future career. I longed to expand my horizons
and actually open my eyes up to the things occurring around me that are
overlooked too often or are underrepresented, and give those people a voice
that the world will hear. Thanks to the University of Pennsylvania, the Social
Justice Research Academy, the ILC, and others included, I am one step closer to
achieving this. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Each day I spent at
UPENN, I did my best to make each day last to its fullest extent. Day by day,
the time had just been disappearing faster than I could even blink. I still
cannot believe my time there has vanished so fast. I still reminisce on the
little details of the campus, program, Philadelphia, and the people as if I
were still residing there. I developed a deep attachment and love for UPENN
that grew immensely after each day. If I stayed longer, I probably would’ve had
attachment issues by the time arrived for me to depart and return back to my
original home, the Bay Area. Looking back at this adventure of a lifetime, I
already know this is the highlight of my year and I am proud to state,
Philadelphia and the University of Pennsylvania, will always be my other
extended home.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq3tZTTrsN7XMYMmpz7CCzBlQyanC3WoMb3uSBOy-luzIzMLMFJ3GglQHiWakOpsgORGPToi50vjsA9ZPZ1oRv3WC2ihTrE370t58neUnGAOM1p3osCGchU3upY74WdMTS2Mcr2xy_l9k/s1600/16+Penn+Returns-006A-DG-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq3tZTTrsN7XMYMmpz7CCzBlQyanC3WoMb3uSBOy-luzIzMLMFJ3GglQHiWakOpsgORGPToi50vjsA9ZPZ1oRv3WC2ihTrE370t58neUnGAOM1p3osCGchU3upY74WdMTS2Mcr2xy_l9k/s640/16+Penn+Returns-006A-DG-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Through the End</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
Kamillah Pollardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10450332863508225885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7465798186563599641.post-25552339736464876852016-08-06T19:08:00.000-07:002016-08-06T19:08:01.342-07:00Discovering Too Late<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">*note:
this blog is an entry from 7-20*</span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">With having only one more
day to prepare for our final capstone projects, Professor Hansen was generous
enough to actually dedicate the beginning of the day for us to focus on them.
During this time, we could go to the library, get help from Professor Hansen or
the other student teachers, or just finish up what we have already started
independently. I took this opportunity to get permission from my group leader,
Yun, to go to Biddle Law Library in search for cases in relation to domestic
violence or even help from someone who works there to steer me in the right
direction. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Biddle Law Library is
located past the PENN bookstore and along Samson St. I found out how to get
there earlier in the week so I could access this help sooner. The time it took
me to finally figure out that the library was within the law building, it was
almost closing time and the only people who could help at the Information desk
were gone for the day. I was annoyed and disappointed. The library itself is spacious
and beautiful. My eyes had lit up the first time I stepped through the doors; I
was dumbfounded. It made me sad that I only entered this library the last week
I would be here. I wish I had discovered this library sooner; if I had, most of
my free time probably would have been occupied there. Leaving was as difficult
as finding the library. It took me five minutes of wandering around to figure
out that I couldn’t leave the way I came. I asked another college student for
help getting me out of there and he showed me the way and understanding my
confusion being my first time in the library. Next time, I for sure made it my
goal not to make the same mistakes twice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I walked up the limestone
steps and into the grand building known as the Law School. I turned left past
the security desk and down the hall passing the brick walls with hanging
paintings of past deans of the school and floors made of tiled limestone. Step
by step, I walked up the staircase leading me to the entrance of Biddle Law
Library. I opened the one way doors and went straight to the information desk. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMKdw6TVp02kWzi21tPg6ENnp-74ocJNtJJ_OESId666eTRv7CcLq-DuN3_Rg6tr2VEOCtBTVOMn5sy8tpeK1qq-ONcyIc4bcbMZb8eshhplzbNxGcAK6p_EG8ytSXpUep64KEtNnLGXw/s1600/680.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMKdw6TVp02kWzi21tPg6ENnp-74ocJNtJJ_OESId666eTRv7CcLq-DuN3_Rg6tr2VEOCtBTVOMn5sy8tpeK1qq-ONcyIc4bcbMZb8eshhplzbNxGcAK6p_EG8ytSXpUep64KEtNnLGXw/s640/680.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entrance of Biddle Law Library</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The librarian there was
busy typing away on his desktop before I had approached him. Polite and
pleasant, he asked me what I needed help with. I explained to him about my
capstone project and what information I was seeking and asked him for help
trying to access it. Naïve as I was, he simply told me that I would not be able
to access specific cases in relation to domestic violence and testimonial from
children because they’re to be sealed from the public because of their age.
After being in Law and Justice for two years, that had completely slipped my
mind making me feel so stupid since I already knew that. The librarian had
instead, showed me to a nearby desktop and showed me how to access other
scholarly sources using the LexisNexis Academic search engine from the PENN
Library website. He explained to me which sources to look at and which would be
most helpful to me then showed me how to limit the results so all that appears
will be useful to me. I was completely grateful for his help because I would
not have figured that out and gained all of my information without him. I
thanked him and continued along with my research. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I spent about thirty
minutes doing research on the library desktop before I had to return back to
class. I was reading through so many articles that I began to memorize
everything as if I already knew it prior. My time there was peaceful and
productive to my research gaining valuable information for the project such as
how Florida is putting in effort to build resource centers for battered women,
to educate parents on how to take care of a child, community centers, and
domestic violence centers to help lower the rates of child abuse and domestic
violence within the state. I wish I
could have extended my time longer there but we were all required to meet back
at McNeil by 11:30 AM and it was already 11:15 AM. I closed all of my tabs and
headed out of the library. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp_fndGMUpMZKOYyymalxzauc5GLs8ycJ_AB8ncGEa6Nq78tKFZ5dgBSGsNOqLgj3wgi-95QCUwxAgPtruKssqo6oHk1bbWcvALe-znxhn5bgzer6AbhKRPq0JvjYf1M9HVfnx3K_cv6A/s1600/686.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp_fndGMUpMZKOYyymalxzauc5GLs8ycJ_AB8ncGEa6Nq78tKFZ5dgBSGsNOqLgj3wgi-95QCUwxAgPtruKssqo6oHk1bbWcvALe-znxhn5bgzer6AbhKRPq0JvjYf1M9HVfnx3K_cv6A/s400/686.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hall of Penn Law School Displaying Portraits of Past Deans</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I knew it wouldn’t take
fifteen minutes to make it back to class but I wanted enough time to stop by
the farmer’s market on the way back. I haven’t been to a farmer’s market in at
least a year. I loved going there so much back home that I would go all the
time with my dad early in the morning; a rush of memories started flooding my
mind. The best part about farmer’s markets is the freshly made food that is
sold by different prospering companies. There is always a variety of things
being sold like fruit, vegetables, baked goods, etc. This farmer’s market was
set up along the sidewalk of the block with Urban Outfitters and the PENN
Bookstore. It was smaller than what I was used to seeing but was the highlight
of my day. While I was there, I purchased a chocolate muffin from a vendor
selling baked goods such as bread and cookies. He had a good sense of humor
turning my question of “Can I buy something?” into a light-hearted joke. I
don’t know why I ask the obvious questions but it just comes out my mouth. As
he handed me my muffin, I asked the times that the small market was out here
selling. He responded nicely telling me that they were there every Wednesday
from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM. The same saddened feeling I had when I found the Biddle
Law Library so late in my time here at PENN returned back to my body.
Everything I had come across was all for the last time and made me long for it
even more. I made it my goal to go to a farmer’s market when I return home. I
thanked the man and wished him a good day and returned on my way back to class.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Walking down Locust Walk,
I encountered Diana on her way back to McNeil too. She had come from Van Pelt
Library conducting research for her project as well. She told me it was
difficult concentrating on her project in McNeil so she asked her TA, Diamond,
to go to Van Pelt. Understanding her situation, I told her I’m the same way as
we walked up the stairs back to our class on the second floor. As we entered
the room, almost everyone was still working their project. After about five
more minutes, the professor had asked everyone to wrap up what they were
working on and get ready to head out for lunch. Many of us worked up an
appetite doing such consistent and studious work we were ready to chow down.
Eager to eat my muffin, I unwrapped the chocolate starch and broke a piece off
and popped it into my mouth. It was delicious. I shared some with Diana as we
headed down to Houston Market for lunch with Chris and Sam. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The rest of the day went
by in a breeze. From our discussion groups to the end of class, it all ended
before I knew it. All that I could think about was how our final days were
drawing near and we would be leaving within just a few days, that, and my
capstone project. This entire trip has felt as if I had dreamed it all in my
mind. I needed to make every day last as long as possible while I’m still
there. For the rest of the night, I
dedicated my time to do more research on my project so I would be fully
prepared for my presentation in two days. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Kamillah Pollardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10450332863508225885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7465798186563599641.post-62327279974210493332016-08-06T19:07:00.001-07:002016-08-06T19:07:46.281-07:00Learning Beyond the Eyes<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">*note: this blog is an entry from
7-19*</span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In
this world, whether we can see it or not, there are people who are struggling
because of an impairment of a major life function. The impairment itself is not
the whole reason to the hardships they go through, but because of the way they
become treated by the rest of society for having this impairment. This a major
social justice issue that is going on today that many people are unaware about.
Professor Hansen had introduced us to this topic today of disabilities along
with our guest speakers of the day, Dr. Kelly George and Ms. Clare Mullaney. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Dr.
George and Ms. Mullaney, had a PowerPoint open and ready to go once they had
walked through the classroom doors along with a lesson plan for our entire
class. Both ladies had strong energy in their voices along with passion for
what they do to help bring justice to this group of people; I could tell this
was about to be a lively session. These ladies started us off with explaining
to us why disabilities are a social justice issue and what it is exactly. These
groups of people often become exception to civil rights verses other groups of
people and are treated unjust. The word “disabilities” holds multiple meanings
to it. People use it as a polite word,
legislative term, to refer to someone as “different” or as a community of
people. These people are often restricted to be known only for their disability
and not who they are as a person. Many choose preference in being referred to
as disabled people because it identifies them as a person but describes the
disability as a part of them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjylgZeAlVQgjVFwV3CKl-XGZZgMgG-JlEOdD0fSNFV5wKFhE-7SuMoEEcMC-CCNgFTrLt9vd7Yo1edvQef7PJYSwSC3k6gvDns_03PK_dR5CsixwlWscj7MZ3BDrmqkv7_O0wB671WOco/s1600/672-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjylgZeAlVQgjVFwV3CKl-XGZZgMgG-JlEOdD0fSNFV5wKFhE-7SuMoEEcMC-CCNgFTrLt9vd7Yo1edvQef7PJYSwSC3k6gvDns_03PK_dR5CsixwlWscj7MZ3BDrmqkv7_O0wB671WOco/s640/672-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Slide From Dr. George and Ms. Mullaney's Presentation</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">As
a way to get us to comprehend the information being delivered to us and so we
don’t fall asleep on them. We were to define what it was to have a disability,
an ability, and to be normal. In ten minutes my hand was flowing jotting down
my own interpretations of what each of these were to me. I defined disability
to be under represented. There are disadvantages to where people with these may
not be able to perform the same way as others and also classifies them into a
select group to where people deem them as helpless. They become treated in
isolation from society or as if they’re fragile glasses that will break in one
touch. For those with disabilities that are not physical, it’s hard finding the
right attention or care for them. The main reason I chose under represented was
because of my mom. She has back problems and a heart condition which prevents
her from working or being eligible to find work with ease. She is fighting
Social Security for aid that she needs but has not been able to receive. This
is not fair representation from the government for the people like my mom; I’m
sure that there are even more people out there who are fighting for similar
reasons such as my mom. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I
defined ability as an attribute or capability. People with ability have the
privilege of having a functioning body system – mental, physical, emotional,
etc. There are no restrictions to what you’re capable of doing as an average
person. Your legs can help you walk, your eyes give you vision, your ears give
you hearing, your mind or ability to learn is not obstructed by a condition;
you have ability. Even without a 100% functioning system, you can still have
ability. You may be capable of playing multiple instruments, or painting as if
you were Picasso or Van Gough, or even having a voice as powerful as Whitney
Houston; that is ability. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">My
definition of normal is versatile. Everything within the world is constantly
changing including what is considered normal. Back in the 40’s it wouldn’t be
normal to see a biracial child or couple, it wouldn’t be normal to see same sex
couples, it wouldn’t be normal for women to be working; today, all these are
something you could see almost anywhere and among society. Something normal is
based on perspective, exposure, and the likeliness of seeing it. The Bay Area
is a diverse place and an area that I feel has great acceptance for others.
Coming to the East Coast, I have met many people with different views that I am
not used to seeing and I would consider absurd but would be normal to them and
the area that they come from. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieSw5AUZ6JBcSKUmpB3wrxEARtGAY85l7YRGURN-0Y8hqY0Wk9UBbApT00DTMnm_XeMjKJNj7Ds5xhwsC60FndCJk-o_g8FIsTawm5KSuWNWPiF9Y4vlChsxZQlrE3r7JfZ9TbOTX0jSE/s1600/443.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieSw5AUZ6JBcSKUmpB3wrxEARtGAY85l7YRGURN-0Y8hqY0Wk9UBbApT00DTMnm_XeMjKJNj7Ds5xhwsC60FndCJk-o_g8FIsTawm5KSuWNWPiF9Y4vlChsxZQlrE3r7JfZ9TbOTX0jSE/s640/443.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"I Know" Imitation of Blind Writing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Ending
our intriguing lesson, we returned back after we finished eating for our
fieldtrip to a museum called, “Common Touch” that focuses on the history of the
blind. Through walking and the subway ride, it took us about twenty minutes to
get there. I was in awe as I observed my surroundings. We had crossed into the
Gayborhood of Philadelphia and it looked the same as it did in the images as
our previous guest speaker, Mike Krasulski. There were rainbow crossroads,
underneath street signs, and flags throughout the streets. It was creative and
beautiful to be in sight of.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Finally
arriving at the Library Company, Common Touch Museum, we had turned into a
small room where we were all seated in a circle. There were two speakers who
reviewed to us about what disabilities was and what this museum was about.
Having already learned this before we had left it seemed a bit redundant to
have the same speech given to us. Instead, our two guides had discussed with us
about life was like to be blind. Our particular focus was while competing in
sports. If a track runner was blind, they would run with another person in
front of them guiding them where to go. Because they are attached to one
another, the movements that the person in front of them makes the blind person
can feel. For example, when the person in front jumps over a curb or turns a
corner, the vision impaired person can feel the turn or small leap. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip6BnJa2EmAu6hNtpGLwoDxygb_dbtZk-NLr1YEuiCMZl7L3R0VUEDoSE380xiZs7vYxlUbhRcP25-zj3clVNSlUVvxEtvYVNYQEVFObfZ3YPFCGX4P_3znWkl50UJ_o0O24tVxUvyJ-Y/s1600/480.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip6BnJa2EmAu6hNtpGLwoDxygb_dbtZk-NLr1YEuiCMZl7L3R0VUEDoSE380xiZs7vYxlUbhRcP25-zj3clVNSlUVvxEtvYVNYQEVFObfZ3YPFCGX4P_3znWkl50UJ_o0O24tVxUvyJ-Y/s400/480.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Owl Created by Ms. Jayne</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Our
group was then led into another room with different displays protected in glass
case barriers showing to us different forms in which the blind had learned.
Everything in the exhibit was created by Theresa Jaynes, the museum founder. Not
knowing the alphabet, the blind had learned to write their own version of it
based off of what they imagined the structure of each letter within their mind.
Ms. Jaynes had used large metal letters spelling out the phrase, “I know” and
displayed some of the hand-written entries from blind people showing some
examples of what their alphabet had appeared. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">To learn about the density of an object, they
used large wooden shapes and figures and held it in their hands feeling its
weight, shape, and size. On a small table in the corner of the room, laid
several different objects where we were able to pick up and flee for ourselves.
When they were taught about animals, they used their sense of touch to feel
different animal figures to give them an idea of what each had looked like or
features and characteristics each had. A papier-mâché owl was created with soft
feather-like fabric along the exterior with a sharp wooden beak resembling how
it would feel if one were to touch it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">My
favorite part of the museum was guiding my eyes in the glass in a back room at
the different passages of Braille. There were prayers in Braille plastered on the
wall along with the braille alphabet and word contractions, along with books with
three-dimensional letters, maps, and images. As I was reading along each
display, Professor Hansen had pointed out in one of the labels that Braille was
originally made and used in the military to send secret messages to and between
stationed troops during the night or bases. Learning this gave me inspiration
to want to learn </span><span style="line-height: 17.12px;">braille</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> on my own. It was soon time for us to depart this unique
museum and back to the university. We thanked Ms. Jayne and our other guides
and embarked our way back to our summer home. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhThjWgV-pmIQFr6OqxhzyUAFaZFXBHI5zJT5G7g4834E_pxa7FYSaBDHSZaUJ-Ic8MZObjzgok5PoE4v3yPEKFhlN6IaWzrg971qqnR020zfjdnCEiEjAD3CE77CY00k7YvFlADdGI9RA/s1600/463.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhThjWgV-pmIQFr6OqxhzyUAFaZFXBHI5zJT5G7g4834E_pxa7FYSaBDHSZaUJ-Ic8MZObjzgok5PoE4v3yPEKFhlN6IaWzrg971qqnR020zfjdnCEiEjAD3CE77CY00k7YvFlADdGI9RA/s640/463.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Lord's Prayer Displayed in Braille </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Kamillah Pollardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10450332863508225885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7465798186563599641.post-72255238302300281192016-08-06T19:07:00.000-07:002016-08-06T19:07:13.573-07:00Expression of the Oppression<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">*note:
this blog is an entry from 7-18*</span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Returning back to class
from an unforgettable weekend, I was a bit worn down, but ready to be
mind-blown unpacking our new topic of the day, the Death Penalty. I didn’t know
much about what was going on with the death penalty in the real world. It
wasn’t until John took us to DC towards the beginning of the ILC journey, where
I first heard about what was going on by standing in front of the Capitol
Building listening to a man share his thoughts about the death penalty in front
of a small crowd for about five minutes. It was interesting and eye-opening to
how our criminal justice system is working. I was prepared and intrigued to
hear about what our guest speakers, Marc Bookman and Dana Cook had to say about
this controversial issue.</span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-EJP6Tppf-aVHhaYkdPV3FiNXc/view?usp=drive_web">Death Penalty Protest</a> <i>*link to death penalty protest in DC*</i><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Mr. Bookman is a lawyer
himself. He started us off by breaking down his interpretation of the death
penalty to us in an explicit way. The death penalty itself is simply just a
legal outgrowth of lynching. When the death penalty was first in establishment,
it was used to target black men with accusations of raping white women. Even
today, the results of the men on trial still remain the same. What doesn’t help
this scenario is the horrible representation that the defense has to support their
case </span><span style="line-height: 17.12px;">through</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> trial and the lack of resources focused on the cases. Many of the convictions that go through are
done with ignoring the presented evidence, with no DNA evidence, or no evidence
at all. Most of the lawyers who defend these types of cases have no experience
or knowledge in regards to it. They can be trained in an entirely different
field and still be eligible for these cases; all they need is to manage six
cases win or lose. The way this system was made was only for money saving
purposes; why invest time and money into doing it right the first time when
cutting back won’t cost a dime? The reality of this mentality is immoral and
contradicting. The amount of money that it takes to give a lethal injection to
a person costs two to three times more money than it does to keep them alive
for life sentencing. The judges or authority figures who push for the death
penalty more than life sentencing are only trying to make themselves appear
tough on crime for the sake of their jobs and not justice. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Miss Cook is a mitigation
specialist. Her job is to find out information or the story of her defending
client as well as their mental or psychological state of being. Doing this
helps bring a stronger defense to the trial by showing what type of person the
defendant is giving the jury and judge some background about them. They also
talk to family members and those close to the defendant to uncover this
information. A lot of the times, the information found out is not pleasant or
something that the defendant would not want people knowing, like sexual abuse.
The mitigation specialists are the real help towards the defense. They
coordinate with specialists or experts to run tests, give testimony, and
evaluations for the defendant along with developing a strong evidence based
case for them. These specialists are more trained than most of the lawyers that
are given to represent, without them, the defendant would be at an even further
disadvantage. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL7PNiyvNnkr7EMJCw9m1eK3AAI-PQecnxmwWsCdRu7NoyYGeg0vOXEKflSwVvHJ25E9rYrCcEhqT5iLD4glJMiz6q3OyFatmmJXtF5wd3kDH1CIBVgUc7RQExIaNffyoeKgPo8I5XyOU/s1600/658.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL7PNiyvNnkr7EMJCw9m1eK3AAI-PQecnxmwWsCdRu7NoyYGeg0vOXEKflSwVvHJ25E9rYrCcEhqT5iLD4glJMiz6q3OyFatmmJXtF5wd3kDH1CIBVgUc7RQExIaNffyoeKgPo8I5XyOU/s400/658.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guerrillero Okulto Performing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Our speakers ended their
presentation with a story from Mr. Bookman. He was watching the Lion King with
his six-year-old daughter. Scar had killed Mufasa and tried framing Simba so he
could claim to become the leader of the pride lands. The only way that this
could be settled was a duel between the two off them. Simba knew he wasn’t the
one responsible for his father’s death but had to continue with the traditions.
Towards the end of the movie, Scar had almost fallen off the edge of the cliff
and with one push he could’ve been killed. As Simba moved closer to him, Scar
had told him to do it, to push him off. Simba refused proving that he wasn’t a
killer like him. Mr. Bookman had asked his daughter before this part had shown
asking her what she thinks that Simba should do, push him off, or let him live.
His daughter replied saying that he shouldn’t because killing is wrong and that
would make Simba no better than Scar. The point of this story was that if a
six-year-old can interpret and understand how wrong it is killing someone is as
a way of achieving justice, then the death penalty should not be an option. A
person’s life is on the line, more care and legitimate resources should be put
into better effort for these types of cases.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In the afternoon, we were
introduced to a film called “Estilo Hip Hop.” This is film was created by our
new guest speaker, Loira Limbal and her team. The setting takes place within
multiple countries in South America including Brazil, Cuba, and Chile telling
the stories of three different people expressing how they used Hip Hop and Rap
as a way of political activism and an outlet for their life struggles. Watching
this independent film, it was hard not growing a connection with the
characters. Guerrillero Okulto was in the process of fighting for the custody
of his two daughters, keeping his job as a landscaper, as well as fighting the
brutality going on in Chile. Growing up, his family was always struggling with
space to live and financial needs. He turned to music and rap as a way of
expressing the problems he and most people are facing including police
brutality. Eli Efi similarly used music as political activism to fight the
police brutality that the government had been enforcing on the people in Brazil.
They were being shot at, run over, beaten, all resulting with the death of the
people who were targeted. From Cuba was artist, Magia. She was never into rap
and hip hop until she met her husband. Hip Hop was his passion and being a
supportive girlfriend, at the time, she developed it as hers. They perform
together speaking out about multiple issues, one of their main focuses being
women’s rights and respect. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwx9VZoChBW8anVhRLjlHfcrAJRiONKXabgvg6dBnw6fx0OcHNc0KtLd2gtm7TXewRIlB6fk7WEqr94SDubOFW76xKDZUkhAJaKcbzUEe7rQo2qFdMmUp-3eUlJ9wmbM_gbHDh-7NwF9M/s1600/663.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwx9VZoChBW8anVhRLjlHfcrAJRiONKXabgvg6dBnw6fx0OcHNc0KtLd2gtm7TXewRIlB6fk7WEqr94SDubOFW76xKDZUkhAJaKcbzUEe7rQo2qFdMmUp-3eUlJ9wmbM_gbHDh-7NwF9M/s400/663.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ms. Loira Limbal</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">After the movie had
ended, Ms. Limbal had answered our questions about the film and the people in
it. She told us it took her and her team over ten years to complete Estilo Hip
Hop. They had to fly out from New York to Brazil, Chile, and Cuba back and
forth to get all of the footage that they needed. Sometimes it would be risky
recording because they weren’t allowed to record without a permit and could be
arrested, especially in Cuba. Other times it would be because of what they
would be recording such as the police and brutality going on which put their
lives in jeopardy. These factors also played into action for extending the time
it took to finish and release the film. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Reflecting on our
society, I was amazed to see how Hip Hop has played a major role in people’s
lives from all over the world in expression of their oppression. Listening to
the raw rhymes of these talented street artists reminded me much of certain rap
artists from back in the 90’s and a few songs and artists today such as Tupac,
the N.W.A., the Notorious B.I.G, Kendrick Lamar, etc. They may not be as vulgar
as a couple of the artists I compared them to but they all have similar
inspirations for doing what they do and making a social change within their own
ways. People like these make Rap and Hip Hop even more influential and powerful
on society and gives strength to those that are unrepresented and who can
relate to the messages being sent. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Kamillah Pollardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10450332863508225885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7465798186563599641.post-84205074678390570802016-07-28T00:47:00.001-07:002016-07-31T19:33:43.201-07:007/23 Tastes Like Home<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">5:30 AM is the time I
woke up for the day I would finally return home. I set an alarm so I would have
the chance to say my final goodbye to my friend before he left at 6:15 AM. Him
being very busy, I wasn’t able to in person. I decided to send him a snap chat
goodbye before it was time for him to leave instead. I felt disappointed that
it wasn’t a real goodbye but it was better than not saying anything at all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I went back to sleep for
about an hour before packing up the rest of my belongings. Fitting everything
in my luggage was harder than I remembered it being when I was first packing to
come out to Philly. I had to sit on my bag while zipping it closed to make it
easier to ensure its security. I made a final clean throughout my room and tossed
out all my garbage near the trash chute. On the way back to my vacant room, I
saw so many people walking all over the Quad with large rolling boxes filled
with their things or soon to be filled. Their parents and RC’s aiding them and
other students crying while saying their final goodbyes to one another. A
depressing and solemn feeling grew within my stomach facing the reality that
this was it; most of us would never see each other again, at least not for a
while.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I unlocked the door to my
dorm building, Leidy, walked up the four, dusty, black, stairs, turned left
into the quiet hallway, and to the second door on the left was the final time I
would unlock my room door. Time was running out for me. 10:00 AM came closer
than I had hoped it would for when the airport shuttle would come pick us up
with John to leave UPENN for the rest of the summer. I picked up the handles of
my luggage and rolled out the door. I paused for a minute to imprint a mental
image into my mind of what was no longer my room. I sad smile appeared on my
face as I reminisced the memories of me rushing in and out of the room to make
it on time for class, working on my homework late at night, lugging my laundry
over my shoulder in and out, and my favorite one, the time when I first walked into
my room the first day I was there. I remembered all these emotions and feelings
as if it just happened yesterday. It felt as if I just unpacked the same
morning I was leaving. I turned my head around and took those final steps out
my door, out the hallway, down the stairs, and out of Leidy for the final
time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Rolling my way through
the Quad, I forgot the struggle I had carrying my luggage when I first came out
here. It was such a nuisance. I signed out in the main office and headed to
outside the gates the Quad where I would return my room keys. I was trying so
hard to get my things done so I wouldn’t delay the group from getting to the
airport. I signed in my keys to the front office and met with John, Diana,
Chris, and Allonna in the front. Before walking to the shuttle bus, I looked
through the automatic gates of the Quadrangle letting go all the sadness I had
built up and locked in all of my summer experience in a safe in my mind and
heart that I know will never fade away. We each stepped into the van and sat
there as we pulled off the side of the road and to the airport.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinz_wP4B2evQ4BnxxPCrgrSN_D4ZjQ9PDYSrZr_RB0Jcx-zi7HpnFthT5UCOn4j-9m0xsztWtUMKEnS_XAhTGWXEFTKN3uvcHGNbzr7OckIOKlzX6JxBUsRjXkkEGZqgNnPRdeiGh0u7w/s1600/481.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinz_wP4B2evQ4BnxxPCrgrSN_D4ZjQ9PDYSrZr_RB0Jcx-zi7HpnFthT5UCOn4j-9m0xsztWtUMKEnS_XAhTGWXEFTKN3uvcHGNbzr7OckIOKlzX6JxBUsRjXkkEGZqgNnPRdeiGh0u7w/s640/481.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Group Picture at Chickee Pete's</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The time it took to go
through the airport procedures it was around 11:00 AM. All of us were starving.
John decided to take us to a little restaurant inside of the airport called Chickee
Pete’s where we ate for the last time together as an ILC PENN Cohort. I ordered
a chicken parmesan sandwich and had crab fries to share all together. I wish we
all ate together more often while we resided at UPENN. I never would have
thought we would be so preoccupied with our class, work, and activities at the
university program that we would barely have time for ourselves. We all
finished eating, and made our way back to the waiting area for our return home.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Before it was time for us
to board, Allonna and I needed to go to Jamba Juice. Being out in the East
Coast, finding a Jamba Juice is scarce. The only time I saw a nearby one was in
Grand Central Station in DC on the way back to the Sheraton. We were in
desperate need to have a sweet, thirst-quenching smoothie. Allonna had ordered
a Caribbean Passion and I ordered a Pomegranate Paradise. The first sip I took
reminded me of home and soon that’s where we would be. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">As we boarded the plane, we
found a mother and daughter sitting in our seats. Their flights were changed
last minute because their original flight got cancelled. Their seats were
placed in front of each other but Diana and I switched seats with them so they
would be able to sit next to one another. The girl was five years old and asleep.
I sat right next to them while Diana sat next to Allonna and Chris. Her husband
and other daughter were seated somewhere else in the back of the plane and were
trying to accommodate seating arrangements so they wouldn’t be separated. The
mother was genuinely nice. She had told me that they moved to New Jersey for a
job relocation for her husband and she eventually found a job out there
herself. They are originally from California where she and her husband met at
UC Berkeley and are coming back for their wedding anniversary to spend it with
their families in Santa Cruz. It was pleasant hearing about her successful
life, it gave me hope to have a similar one of my own.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_9Jh5274JthRi5lSCUt_DwX-jVVTZ6u0g1HiZE-kMCAhF80KPUg118EoITgEs4ks4UCyA7FO5sfBoIJ0fWImZZfcZxCQqk7XQ_A6DPgg-XRm68xLbfRuoZSIHkLx8ezZIf5nyd81TWdg/s1600/028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_9Jh5274JthRi5lSCUt_DwX-jVVTZ6u0g1HiZE-kMCAhF80KPUg118EoITgEs4ks4UCyA7FO5sfBoIJ0fWImZZfcZxCQqk7XQ_A6DPgg-XRm68xLbfRuoZSIHkLx8ezZIf5nyd81TWdg/s640/028.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Window View From the Waiting Room</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Everyone on the plane
patiently waited for the plane to lift off and zoom through the air back to the
West Coast. All of us passengers soon found out that our flight would be
delayed due to a rain storm that is potentially dangerous to fly through. Once
the storm had passed over, we were fourth in line to take off. The closer it
drew to us being next, we had to return back to the airport to refuel. It made
sense because it was ninety-seven degrees outside and the AC was blasting
throughout the plane the whole time we were stalled. The plane had finally
filled up again with gas, but by that time there were thirty-five other planes
who needed to take off as well. No one knew how long this was going to take and
three hours had already passed. The time we finally made it in the air was 7:30
PM, three and a half hours later than from when we were originally set to take
off. My mood went beyond irritation. We all wanted to stay in Philly a lot
longer than three weeks but none of us had anticipated that this was going to be our ticket to stay.
Frustrated and tired, I sat for another six hours for our plane to land at SFO.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The plane had landed at
10:51 PM in San Francisco. Everyone was eager to get off and go home or
wherever they intended to go. Each row decreased in people until it reached the
back of the plane. Before exiting the aircraft, I waved goodbye to the mother
and her child and wished them luck on their vacation in California, and she did
the same. I hurried into the airport of California grounds finally relieved
that plane ride was over it. We waited for John to get off before we went to go
pick up our luggage on the other side of the airport. I felt sentimental being
back in the Bay. There’s no people out there like the ones from the Bay Area
and that’s what I missed the most along with Jamba Juice. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">After everyone grabbed
their bags, we hopped into our black shuttle van to transport us back to El
Cerrito High School where our families would pick us up at. The air outside was
cool and breezy but somewhat warmer than I remembered SF to actually be. I was
satisfied with my wardrobe choice to wear leggings and a long-sleeved shirt. The
weather out here soon made me miss the heat and humidity the East Coast had. I
hated the feeling right when I walked out an air conditioned building to the
moist air but enjoyed the warmth and consistency of it. It was convenient
knowing the temperature every day despite the environment of the weather. If it
was overcast and breezy it was still warm, if it was raining with thunderstorms
it would still be consistently warm outside. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The drive back to El
Cerrito was a reminder for my brain to recollect my memories of the familiar,
but faint surroundings of the Bay Area. I had forgotten how beautiful the Bay
Bridge was until we were physically gliding right over it. I felt so
embarrassed forgetting its gorgeous luminosity, especially when I looked back
at my ugly drawing of it from the first day of class. My eyes became fixated
with the scenery outside of the car window until we reached El Cerrito High. It
was like I was familiarizing myself with a new area all over again except it
wasn’t as difficult to remember.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCXM3u2Bpjfo_n-wchGWWtJcuPkgg2ppBHmHySMSnr7GwutX3AzTuO5_Y9QPjf0BXR_wTpUiLPNc8PrO85GGh-N_WP-akC3t1raKjV-IXCGKFXcSZp974Ky5jVKGTBoldhqjjNfAla5r4/s1600/16+Penn+Returns-010A-DG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCXM3u2Bpjfo_n-wchGWWtJcuPkgg2ppBHmHySMSnr7GwutX3AzTuO5_Y9QPjf0BXR_wTpUiLPNc8PrO85GGh-N_WP-akC3t1raKjV-IXCGKFXcSZp974Ky5jVKGTBoldhqjjNfAla5r4/s640/16+Penn+Returns-010A-DG.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Final Returning Cohort Photo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Twenty to thirty
minutes passed as we finally pulled into the parking lot of the dimly lit school from
where we originally departed on the start of our journey. Cars already parked
in a line alongside the school waiting for our arrival. The first steps out of
the van, Don was already snapping pictures of us like we were famous and he was
the paparazzi. We all waited to grab our luggage from out the back of the
barely visible vehicle. Before we could depart back to our homes, Don had
required a group picture of the entire cohort together for the last time.
Groaning because many of us were fatigued, we pulled our smiles out, hidden
deep in our droopy faces in time for the last shots of us together. Once we
were done, we each gave one another a final hug farewell and went our separate
ways. This has probably been one of the best experiences I have ever had and
with people who were fun and pleasant to be around. I could not have asked for
a much better cohort, trip, and experience than what I received this summer.
For that, I thank Don and the ILC for the opportunity</span></div>
Kamillah Pollardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10450332863508225885noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7465798186563599641.post-18120191155886375672016-07-28T00:30:00.000-07:002016-07-31T19:41:43.503-07:007/17 Day Full of Treats<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">*note:
this blog is an entry from 7-17*</span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Today was the day I had
been waiting for the whole program on the activities list; it was the day of
the Phillies v. Mets game. I love watching baseball and being at the stadiums
witnessing it first-hand. It makes the game more intense and better to focus
on. I haven’t been to a baseball game since 2014 at the AT&T Park where the
Giants were playing the Arizona Diamondbacks. The best feeling there is getting
excited with other fans cheering on your favorite team to success. I wanted to
get a feel for the stadium and the crowd the Phillies draws in. I dressed in my
Giants gear having the need to represent my favorite team and Bay Area with my
Adidas dri-fit shorts and Under Armour slides and headed down to the Quad
grabbing my black, leather purse along the way out. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">There were more people
out there than I had expected. The Summer Discovery program did another
Phillies game Friday night where I assumed most people would be attending. I
stood in line to check in with Louise ensuring my spot on the trip. I found
Therese there doing the same. All of us were separated into different buses by
last name. Therese was designated to bus two while I was to bus three. As I
waited for my group to move onto the buses, I made a new friend, Anjali, who
was placed on the same bus as me. She’s from the Bay Area and likes the Giants, too. She goes to a private school in San Jose and does speech and debate
tournaments as do I. When I told her that she said that I looked familiar but
couldn’t place where, which was probably at the first tournament we had at
James Logan HS in Union City. The world is so massive yet small at the same time.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwTuhnlkkUVNUc-3PCbGCfF0oP2rhJIz8WA0v2semoEuMdP1TslKeNw30u_oQvL0YPENmwji5f6fYv41j3LVpQdwMziO1tuyZWItSiWNLaHsOHDC1WXPx4PcqxQaTxmxNc-RX6cKg_4SU/s1600/425.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwTuhnlkkUVNUc-3PCbGCfF0oP2rhJIz8WA0v2semoEuMdP1TslKeNw30u_oQvL0YPENmwji5f6fYv41j3LVpQdwMziO1tuyZWItSiWNLaHsOHDC1WXPx4PcqxQaTxmxNc-RX6cKg_4SU/s640/425.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Phillies Stadium</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The yellow school buses
they had rented for us were small and had no air conditioning. We all had
pulled the windows down to the fullest as we rode twenty minutes out to the
Phillies stadium. The longest part was waiting in the thick line trying to pull
over to be released off the bus and into the stadium. In front of the stadium
was a tall, digital board showing upcoming games the Phillies were playing.
From August second through fourth, the Phillies would be playing the San
Francisco Giants at home. I wished that game was now instead of the Mets; it
would have made my day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Once the bus had finally
pulled over to the side, I rushed off the bus as fast as I could. My excitement
for the game and need to get off that suffocating vehicle became my priority. I
waited for Anjali down on the sidewalk before heading through bag check and
security to enter the grand stadium. As soon as we made it to the inside, it
reminded me of a bit smaller version of AT&T Park but nicer than the
Oakland Coliseum; it was gorgeous. Our seats were placed at the very top, which
wasn’t a surprise to me. The view was great and the bright and sunny weather. We
were in the shade the whole time making the seats even more enjoyable. Just as
we sat down Therese had quickly found us making our duo into a trio once more. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">After the first three
innings, the hunger in my stomach began to grow intensely. I walked down a
level lower with Anjali and Therese to embark on an adventure to find filling
food. I went down the food stands in a line until I decided on trying Crab
Fries. Once I had grabbed and paid for the container, I was slightly
disappointed that my fries didn’t actually have crab meat in it and they were
only seasoned a certain way. I took a bite and discovered how delicious it
actually was but still salty; from that moment I still wonder why they call it
Crab Fries. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The heat was building up
as we stood in front of a table behind seats watching the game as I ate my
confused fries. Therese had the smart idea of purchasing ice cream from the
food venue behind us. The ice cream was placed in a little souvenir Phillies
cap cup covered all over with rainbow sprinkles. A chain reaction was sparked
leading Anjali to buy one and then me. The three of us now were indulging the
delicious cold creamy treat as we watched until the fifth inning. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbnkxPlg_8oRAv4IXDhK8zyIOJWherDeVoJAqzvWMygfQ4vnv_GSLqdACTUDV3Xg-CFQP823LpBAspVnJQvFfpJl1bMaatHMhOD5U91ZiG4J5nBbDaPP49HwUeA_EyWtgHQJomjaLb5kM/s1600/714.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbnkxPlg_8oRAv4IXDhK8zyIOJWherDeVoJAqzvWMygfQ4vnv_GSLqdACTUDV3Xg-CFQP823LpBAspVnJQvFfpJl1bMaatHMhOD5U91ZiG4J5nBbDaPP49HwUeA_EyWtgHQJomjaLb5kM/s400/714.PNG" width="307" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ice Cream Helmet</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">After all of us killed
our ice cream, we went to the bathroom and washed out our caps to keep and treasure
forever. The three of us headed back to the top where our seats were to finish
watching the rest of the game. There were more Mets fans than there were
Phillies, or for what it seemed like. The Phillies fans were not as spirited as
I hoped they would be. Maybe it was because they were losing against the Mets or
they just didn’t know how to become cheerleaders. I wasn’t used to seeing this
out of a crowd. Even the A’s fans were still cheerful when they lost. It was
depressing watching the Phillies get crushed with a five to nothing lead. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The game flew by faster
than I thought it would. I was so use to baseball games running long but this
one closed quickly. We were all back on the bus before I knew it. As we pulled
away from the arena, I had noticed how all of the Philadelphia sports teams
were all next to one another. From the Eagles to the 76ers, they were built
standing tall and united. This must make traffic really bad when games are
going on, especially on the same days. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Back at the Quad, we
returned around 4:30 PM. This gave me about fifteen minutes to prepare to meet
for dinner with Chris and John at five. I quickly changed into my red wife
beater and into my black Tommy Hilfiger flip flops before receiving a text from
Chris that he was downstairs waiting for me. I grabbed my purse and repeated my
routine out the door. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It took us about ten
minutes to make it to the Hummus Grill where we were meeting at. I had asked if
we could take the food to go because I had plenty of research I needed to
complete for the Capstone Project we were required to have completed by the end
of the week. John beat us there, early, and patiently waiting at a table for
our arrival. I hadn’t had dinner with John since the take out from Bobby’s
Burger Palace the previous weekend. I missed having our usual dinners together
as a cohort but struggled finding the time for it all. We greeted John in all
smiles and looked at the restaurant’s menu to place our order. I decided to try
something new and got the chicken kabab sandwich.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">As we all patiently
waited for our food to come, we caught up with one another. It was scary yet
amusing listening to John’s cockroach story. He had found a massive cockroach
in his hotel room and called in room service to come kill it. The more horrifying
part is the fact that if it was pregnant that its children would be all over
the floor still growing. I had true sympathy for him because I would be
handling that situation in a more unprofessional way than he did. Before we
knew it, our food was ready and we were all heading back to our living spaces.
After waving a sad goodbye to John I was eager to scarf down this beautifully
made sandwich and get my research done. I finished out my night tired and full,
ready to knockout at any minute. I needed all the rest I could get before class
again on Monday.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSqIKuI2WmKP9skM47LTnHYU57gBwVdal3yv84TtuFCdTZgqmnijE913CIVM2_yxJQpxtQtH8SK1m1QZNbGRROqgX7TIGDcnsFLUv0bh631_gPuPbOR4AW7JVdWoCDKAf9tljwGB9gLL8/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSqIKuI2WmKP9skM47LTnHYU57gBwVdal3yv84TtuFCdTZgqmnijE913CIVM2_yxJQpxtQtH8SK1m1QZNbGRROqgX7TIGDcnsFLUv0bh631_gPuPbOR4AW7JVdWoCDKAf9tljwGB9gLL8/s640/001.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anjali, Therese, and I Posing in front of the Skyline</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Kamillah Pollardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10450332863508225885noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7465798186563599641.post-15670341054817193622016-07-28T00:18:00.000-07:002016-07-31T19:22:24.051-07:007/16 Sunkissed and Salty Hugs<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">*note:
this blog is an entry from 7-16*<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></i></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLgt35yaydoEC394zMqxO84LmKCKmB8F7Z7dM2DhETLKoDZC7XQm4GiKx6LDTW05cDn9MlKYS-GTiBsF88SHTS-CWi0thqPxQXbKhSbWAnXSNYt4E6bfSNPWxvcuGQd58eEFxa-6hEJ0g/s1600/712.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLgt35yaydoEC394zMqxO84LmKCKmB8F7Z7dM2DhETLKoDZC7XQm4GiKx6LDTW05cDn9MlKYS-GTiBsF88SHTS-CWi0thqPxQXbKhSbWAnXSNYt4E6bfSNPWxvcuGQd58eEFxa-6hEJ0g/s400/712.PNG" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Approaching Ocean City</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Early morning rise around
8:00 AM, I had a couple of errands to run before the big day at Ocean City, New
Jersey. I showered, got dressed, and headed out into University City. I needed
to deposit some money into my bank card at the Bank of America next to Chipotle
to ensure I had enough in my account for the entire day out. On the way back, I
decided to stop by the Starbucks on the corner and grab a quick breakfast
before it was time to leave at 10:30 AM. I ordered an herbal mango black tea
lemonade and a cinnamon raisin bagel to go and consumed it as I walked for
seven minutes back into my dorm. The sun was already heating up the sky in the
eighties and it was barely ten o’clock. Relieved to be back in my air conditioned
dorm, I knew it wouldn’t be long before I headed back into the blazing sun. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">10:30 AM finally came and
everyone in Leidy, was outside in their summer gear ready to take on the beach
weather. We all did role call and waited to hear our names to get checked off
so we could enter the bus. The drive there was filled with many girls singing
along to mainstream songs from Rihanna to warming up for the fun filled day. It
took a little over two hours to get there but we finally made it to the Jersey
Shore. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The weather outside was
not as hot as when we left. The skies were overcast and a few drifts were flowing
through the air. I first stepped out of the bus with a disappointed attitude
toward the weather. I was expecting it to be bright and sunny and was bikini ready.
I walked along the endless boardwalk in search to find a restroom. The
boardwalk had so much going on along the sides of it. There were arcades,
multiple food areas, souvenir stores, boogie board rentals, a water park,
rides, and so much more along with a beach right across from it all. After
finding my essential stop, I ran into Diana and Therese coming out. We all took
a short break to put on some sunscreen before heading back into the hazy sun. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Therese had left to meet
up with a friend who works at Ocean City leaving me and Diana. We explored from
Starbucks to eating crab cakes, then the souvenir shops where we bought
matching long-sleeved shirts and then off to the beach. I had not been in the
soft, warm sand since I went to Santa Cruz a couple of years ago before the
start of freshman year. The feeling of my feet sinking into the deep grains was
one that I had dearly missed. We had walked along the beach closer and closer
to the water. There was a giant empty space of sand unoccupied by no one; it
was perfect for us. We laid out our towels and rested there for about twenty
minutes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrxlpXj9fn3GQTAKr-u7dB4-b6rVV5aM6wN9sEQj0QBHPzzt8EsZZD9esO24LsZUUwJEo_i9_dxbkupAPtFNqpF6o39ObSuYwLsXuoODrTC7EM2GorQVENZ8dJ10FKQsT8PDqwvDI2SQ4/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrxlpXj9fn3GQTAKr-u7dB4-b6rVV5aM6wN9sEQj0QBHPzzt8EsZZD9esO24LsZUUwJEo_i9_dxbkupAPtFNqpF6o39ObSuYwLsXuoODrTC7EM2GorQVENZ8dJ10FKQsT8PDqwvDI2SQ4/s400/001.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ocean City Beach</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I quickly sat up to wipe
the glistening sweat from off my forehead. I soon checked underneath my
swimsuit to find that I had turned fifty shades darker from when I first came
to the boardwalk. I turned my body over for another five minutes before I
couldn’t take just lying there being cooked in the sun anymore. I got up with
Diana and headed into the salty Atlantic Ocean. The water felt amazing as it
splashed against my hot skin cooling it down. Knowing I can’t swim, I only
allowed the water to go up a little above my knees. The waves came in rushing
fast and high making contact with my entire upper body as they pulled in. This
was my favorite part of the day. Diana and I were both enjoying our time in the
water that almost two hours had passed by before we headed back to our beach
spot. Five o’clock drew near and was the time we were all required to meet at
to return home. We gathered up our things and started our way back to the
flashpoint. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Finding our way there was
not a problem. All of the RCs were wearing bright blue shirts and made the
umbrella stands on the beach all of the American Flag. Just drying off and
removing all of the sand off of us, Diana and I were extremely reluctant to
step back into the sticky sand. Being forced against our will, we both stepped
back into sand where roll call was taken by our building RC. Shortly, we all
went back to buses to take us back to PENN. The day was short but we made it
last. I was just ready to go back to my building and take a nice warm shower
and rest in my bed. Ocean City was the highlight of ending my busy week. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Kamillah Pollardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10450332863508225885noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7465798186563599641.post-14962842409597248662016-07-28T00:09:00.000-07:002016-07-31T19:23:11.256-07:007/15 Backtracking Our Culture<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">*note:
this blog is an entry from 7-15*</span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">There have been many
instances within the news involving violence against police and the brutality
they inflict on other black men. This itself has led us back to the topic of
race and policing. Our guest speaker of the day, Keeanga-Yamhtta Taylor, had an
idea of why or how this specific group was being targeted and it roots back to
the time of Jim Crow Laws and the segregated era. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">During the early 1900’s,
Blacks were trying to move out of the inferior South and into the North. People
made it difficult for this to happen because around this time, the government
allowed people to do whatever they want with their property, sell it to whoever
they want, and fluctuate the prices however they pleased. If people did not want
to sell you property because of your race, they were allowed to. Many Blacks
were sold overpriced, low quality housing in the North and their landlords
would not maintain their homes in a fair or livable condition. Landowners
thought of ways on how they could make more money so they removed many of the
restrooms and kitchens in homes owned by colored people and transformed them
into bedrooms where it could fit more people. 40% of homes did not have indoor
plumbing within and made the hygiene of the area plummet. Many families that
were </span><span style="line-height: 17.12px;">overcrowded</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> in these homes were forced to live on the streets because of
lack of space. The housing separation allowed for foul stereotypes to flourish
and made it seem as if people of color had poor hygiene. Not until 1968, where the
Fair Housing Act was implemented, did this stop. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLOQK9XnsPusiG60088sD8P5HQQbdfIi0NpDTqwGF4LMLlzfh2-26Vy9t0oSuX5gmU-PMBMjH8V7WI1W8ByhpHAaqX1XiKhxLxihlJFjaPu-vyOJpMjsp99Z2Nvc0Q-kZCWba4LPp-iGI/s1600/409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLOQK9XnsPusiG60088sD8P5HQQbdfIi0NpDTqwGF4LMLlzfh2-26Vy9t0oSuX5gmU-PMBMjH8V7WI1W8ByhpHAaqX1XiKhxLxihlJFjaPu-vyOJpMjsp99Z2Nvc0Q-kZCWba4LPp-iGI/s400/409.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Afro-Caribbean Mural </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Since no one really cared
about what happened in the Black areas, this allowed violence, drug trade, and
police brutality to occur. Poor people were always held in suspicion while
being on the street. Categories of crimes began to develop in specific to
targeting Black people leading to higher arrest rates, violence against them,
and a way of degrading their race. They spent days in jail waiting to be
convicted for a crime they “committed.” Riots began against Black people led by Whites killing fifty-five of them with the police joining in during the Red
Summer. The larger the police force grew, the more unsafe it became for Blacks.
Instead of the police protecting the people, they hurt them. It ensured poverty,
criminal records, and brutality against them. Even today this is still
occurring. So far in the year of 2016, 571 people were killed by the police.
Nothing is changing while history continues to repeat. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Returning back to class
in the afternoon, we were to embark upon another field trip to a Puerto Rican
neighborhood in North Philadelphia called El Barrio. When I got off the train
and exited the station, I knew that this wasn’t a well maintained neighborhood. Walking down the streets there was garbage and litter lying
around the streets and sidewalks. The streets were quiet and vacant and have
not been repaved in a long time. The small number of people you did see, you
can tell they were in poverty. There were fire hydrants busted open with water gushing into the air and buildings were worn down
and old in need of some remodeling. The area itself reminded me a lot of areas
back home like Richmond, East Oakland, San Leandro, and certain parts of Vallejo.
There were many corner stores and restaurants open on nearby blocks. Cars
parked on the sides of the street were run down or damaged. On occasion there
would be some nice brand new car. Children played in the streets on their bikes
and scooters while others hung out on the stoops of buildings.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7bg3qf7E48345JywuusIu4TeXpwR7VO1DVOiq5y0LGWm7pRLjtTxp9jhs4wldhKs_kaUtcpLWgqiIcrCO5bEPzK7jlsZ6woaoYFMqBQEnWHfGN_2Ex7VPGUEm6_NrPY_v5PEcaTktNAk/s1600/388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7bg3qf7E48345JywuusIu4TeXpwR7VO1DVOiq5y0LGWm7pRLjtTxp9jhs4wldhKs_kaUtcpLWgqiIcrCO5bEPzK7jlsZ6woaoYFMqBQEnWHfGN_2Ex7VPGUEm6_NrPY_v5PEcaTktNAk/s640/388.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Community Center in El Barrio</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Ten to fifteen minutes of
walking through the neighborhood, we all finally reached our destination. We
stopped in front of a building that had beautiful mosaics and paintings along
its walls. A man had stepped out, Rafael Damast, and welcomed us graciously
inside of the center. There were tables and seats all placed out and around
ready for our arrival. Over 50 us there, fit all together in seated in the
nicely air conditioned room. Surrounding us were art pieces designed and
created by young children from the ages of six to fourteen along with a black
empty stage with different background pieces laying in the shadows. Mr. Damast
had told us that this center we were in, was home to many children. It was created
as a community center for young children to find an outlet or passion and teach
their Latin history using the arts. They took classes on photography, painting,
performing, etc. and at the end of each day they would perform for their
parents in a talent show of what they learned and enjoyed the most. Once he
finished speaking, he gathered us outside to take us on a tour of the different
murals and culture of their community.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjioKLbntu9wv2UnFrOyACZXG1A5pdv1rP3uZuwf9p8xCnKgQX0ZiPoV-kPkUJAQGVy3qr41AdGYr_nCDIIDfY8t03TbsgP4dGhKWrglHh4tHGwBugvrBGPkBJFND3ZxanRLnOpaGOBICU/s1600/405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjioKLbntu9wv2UnFrOyACZXG1A5pdv1rP3uZuwf9p8xCnKgQX0ZiPoV-kPkUJAQGVy3qr41AdGYr_nCDIIDfY8t03TbsgP4dGhKWrglHh4tHGwBugvrBGPkBJFND3ZxanRLnOpaGOBICU/s640/405.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rafael Damast Explaining One of the Murals</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The feeling I had exiting
the building was not a pleasant one. The heat of the sun had beat me down in
the face so hard, I was already in need of a sip of water. No longer protected
by the cool air of the air conditioned space, it was a struggle not passing out
along the walk through the streets. He explained to us about each mural we had
paused at. They all were painted to tell a story of their struggles being
accepted coming into Philly and how they came about living there. Many of the
people were discriminated against for their Afro-Caribbean culture. They used
this negativity and hardships of adapting into a positive reaction by painting
these murals around the community. The people shaped their culture into a proud
manner and continued this throughout town until it finally felt like home.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Kamillah Pollardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10450332863508225885noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7465798186563599641.post-28404997298399971432016-07-28T00:02:00.000-07:002016-07-31T19:56:06.439-07:007/14 Knowledge is Power<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">*note:
this blog is an entry from 7-14*</span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Education is an
entitlement for everyone, at least in the present of today. Back in time from
before the 17<sup>th</sup> Century until around 1955 -1965 education was only
for the white and privileged. Since the Constitution itself does not cover
education within it, it made it even harder for this right to be even
considered. Laws such as the Separate but Equal Act (Plessy v. Ferguson), are
evidence from the past proving the difficulties in receiving an equal and fair
education as the rest of the more favored students. Cases like Brown v. The
Board of Education in 1954, challenged this problem residing within the
society. Brown had challenged the idea
of segregating schools proving how unconstitutional it all was. By 1955, the
Supreme Court ordered public schools to be desegregated. Even with this
massive change, equal school education still remained unrepresented. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">If you were a minority,
life in school was much harder. Students were grouped into a school based on
where they lived. This made it easier for people in poorer areas having fewer resources to have a qualifying education. Because of a lack in funding, many
students were neglected or left behind in the system such as girls, LGBTQ,
low-income, special needs, non-native speakers, immigrants/refugees, etc. They
were more likely to get suspended or expelled and have fewer qualified teachers
to instruct them versus privileged students. Their education was not corrected
until the 1965 Elementary and Secondary Education Act. It was implemented by President Lyndon Johnson and provided “compensatory education” to poor and minority
students. Even with this implemented, many students were already so far behind
the privileged students that it would make it extremely difficult in trying to
catch up. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Reviewing this, I found
it easier to apply this to our education system today. Many of our schools are
stuck with little to no resources to help students learn on the same field as
others across the nation because of the lack of money. In these areas, many of
us are minorities. Even with all of the reforms that have been implemented such
as Common Core, teacher training, charter schools, anti-bullying campaigns,
etc., there are many schools with students who are still struggling to have a
safe and a learning enriched environment. The areas or private schools with
financial wealth are filled with a greater quality and amount of facilities for
students to learn in. It’s surprising but interesting how things seem to still
continue until present day even with all of the changes put into effect
throughout the years. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We broke into groups to
participate into an activity facilitated by the student teachers. In these
groups, we would talk about the school systems we were learning in such as a
public school, private, home school, charter, international, etc. and listen to
how different schools were throughout the nation and world. We described our
own personal experiences, the advantages, weaknesses, the quality of education
everyone received and if everyone in the school and town receive the same
value, and who received the better or worse education depending on their
wealth/class, race/ethnicity, gender/sexual identity, and special
needs/disabled.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7jI-ccUJlsdk4PrGlE-qgStB_Ne_66Pmp2tNVa1qlaHWvRrfpzAtH4epcbEq0-h2EWG9knpV4mZAB-eY8moHGl1n1-7LITDM5LSwO1llDiB0km0OEwexVclaplN9N3TTCKpDzkeGsCtOo/s1600/644D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7jI-ccUJlsdk4PrGlE-qgStB_Ne_66Pmp2tNVa1qlaHWvRrfpzAtH4epcbEq0-h2EWG9knpV4mZAB-eY8moHGl1n1-7LITDM5LSwO1llDiB0km0OEwexVclaplN9N3TTCKpDzkeGsCtOo/s640/644D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Group Presenting Their Ideal Education System</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">As I listened to others
speak, I learned unexpected things about other schools. Unlike what I’m used to
in the Bay Area, many schools do not have diversity incorporated within them. A
lot of the public schools in Philadelphia are predominantly Black with very few
white people. Most of the private schools are consistent with White and Asian
students. At schools which do have a variety of ethnicities rep[resented, the white
students would group together and all of the other races would stick with each
other. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">In schools in China, they would go to school from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM, the
time they would go to bed. What seemed to be consistent with most of the
schools is the people who had more money to send their children to private
schools or well-funded public schools, received the better education than most. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Learning for people with special attention or disabilities seemed to isolate
those students from the rest of the school; they were taught separately and did
not socialize out of that group. If there were no separate classes for students with learning disabilities, they would struggle trying to receive help or the
attention needed in the average classroom. The LGBTQ+ community were treated
the same way as any other students at the school; they became more socially
accepted among their peers.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">At my school, we are
privileged in ways that a lot of schools aren’t. The administration that we
have makes the student support strong and flexible. Our principal is always
dedicating his time to make my school the best that it could be. He makes time
accessible to students and parents who need his support along with the other
vice principals and some staff. There aren’t many schools which are eligible or
have people like that at their schools and long for someone to actually come in
and make a change to correct that. I am lucky enough to have administration who
actually care and put effort into supporting the needs of the students. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We have
different program resources in our district such as The Ivy League Connection,
Upward Bound (program allowing students to take math and science classes at UC
Berkeley and live on campus), EAOP (UC Berkeley program where students commute
there and pick classes to take over the summer), and more. The student diversity
is high, we learn from one another, and adapt to our given environment making
the most of what we have. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Our disadvantages are our
facilities, some teachers, and lack of money. We have class in portables as we
wait for our new school to be built and don’t have much of a campus. Many of our well qualified teachers are
leaving for multiple reasons and we will be getting a large number of new
staff, which can either make or break the school. Everything may not be perfect
about it, and we do lack in some areas, but I believe that there is plenty of
room for improvement that we are still pushing and progressing in profoundly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In the afternoon, coming
back from lunch, we spent the rest of the time designing our own education system
for a new country ran by us. We were counted off into groups like the first
time we were split up. In my group, we didn’t get much accomplished. People
were disagreeing on who should be taxed and the amount, what type of schools
would be incorporated such as private, public etc., how much money each school
would be funded, and still be able to make it competitive against other
countries. Some were saying we should tax the rich more, but others were
against the idea. We only had a few points jotted down before it was time for
us to present to the class for two minutes. Our group pulled through while
presenting but ended up annoying one another. Doing this not only showed how
hard it was for us to form an education system but to actually work together as
a team and find mutual ground for all of our different views. Even though it
was rough, I wish we could have more activities like this in the future. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Kamillah Pollardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10450332863508225885noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7465798186563599641.post-66699310590840795422016-07-24T21:50:00.000-07:002016-07-25T18:13:04.193-07:00Home Sweet Home<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "times";">The dreaded day was finally upon us. The day where
we said bye to our home for the past three weeks was here and I was not
thrilled about it. On the one hand I was going to see my family and my kitties
again but on the other, I would leave the friends I made behind and the
environment that is nurturing in more than one way. Despite the mixed feelings,
I had no choice but to pack and be ready to leave at 10 AM to the airport.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: times;">I woke up at 7 AM to say bye to Betty who was
returning to China. We hugged and made plans to visit each other in the future.
At 7:15 AM, all teary eyed, we said goodbye for the last time and I watched her
walk onto the airport shuttle and disappear into the streets of Philly. After
sitting in bed for a while thinking about my roommate, I decided to get ready
so I could finalize my packing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: times;">Once I showered and got ready,
Therese came to my room and we chatted about how we would miss the school and
each other. She helped me close my luggage by sitting on it and giving me
encouraging words as I forced the zipper closed. Isn’t it funny how luggage can
grow so much in three small weeks? Anyways, we went to say goodbye to some of
the kids from the math academy and walked around the quad until we decided we
wanted the comfort of the AC. When we got to my room I pulled out my polaroid
camera and we decided to have a photo shoot. We took all kinds of pictures from
silly to artsy. And like the saying goes, time flies when you're having fun. 10
AM had crept up behind our backs and without warning it jumped up and surprised
us both.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM0Eojebwf3tij-GSCczRQu_2CMgu1TMA86tYY4USHRtXFHwxku388z3bzpHnaYI6Blc5qw4kyaoQOM8vgz92U3o7DH7EhXiBf-ihtTtAMyhfUJnmFP5rEF-vnLihyzYhNukH4vzICSLLB/s1600/20160723_094954.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM0Eojebwf3tij-GSCczRQu_2CMgu1TMA86tYY4USHRtXFHwxku388z3bzpHnaYI6Blc5qw4kyaoQOM8vgz92U3o7DH7EhXiBf-ihtTtAMyhfUJnmFP5rEF-vnLihyzYhNukH4vzICSLLB/s640/20160723_094954.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of our artsy pictures </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">With
sad faces, we made our way down with my luggage. I turned in my keys and waited
for the shuttle to come. I spotted John all too soon and with Therese still
helping me with my luggage, made my way to the shuttle. We hugged and said our
goodbyes. It was very sad having to leave friends that you may not see in
person ever again but I tried to stay positive because after all, I was on the
way to seeing my family. Once in the shuttle, we made our way to the airport
and got checked in. We were way too early so we went for a nice sit down dinner
where I had a crab cake sandwich that was delicious. After our meal we waited
to be called to line up for the flight. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy53V49AcbYn0L8FimhdttFcMxKdZGC23SFQf2E9kMLdfypaTXf7lvYW4kSxRKEafa4rfFJ9vH2nvoGxltl0rpGBfwhsQNfxrJ_2QUJV7CzbqmVe4RRfzrRe3tk6Qzw6b15DYqZLRNBW8E/s1600/%252716+Penn+Returns-015A-DG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy53V49AcbYn0L8FimhdttFcMxKdZGC23SFQf2E9kMLdfypaTXf7lvYW4kSxRKEafa4rfFJ9vH2nvoGxltl0rpGBfwhsQNfxrJ_2QUJV7CzbqmVe4RRfzrRe3tk6Qzw6b15DYqZLRNBW8E/s320/%252716+Penn+Returns-015A-DG.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">At around 4 PM we got called up and we made our way
to the plane not knowing what was ahead of us. The plane was boarded and
everyone was seated when a thunderstorm hit the airport delaying us. From that
point on, the storm was the only thing that happened quickly. We waited until
we were clear from the storm to depart but just when we were the 5th in line to
take off, the pilot said we had burned too much fuel so we had to go back and
refuel! This once again delayed us. The pilot said we would be on our way in
about 30 minutes. So not that bad… WRONG! After the 30 minutes went by, the
pilot said that there were 35 planes trying to leave so we would have to once
again wait. This time without a time estimate. All in all we spent almost 4 hours
just sitting on the plane starving and unable to move.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: times, 'times new roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: times, 'times new roman', serif;">After forever we took off and we
could finally get something to eat. By this time I was starving so I devoured
the not so good pastrami sandwich I got. From this point on it was smooth
sailing. I took a nap to prevent myself from becoming sick and in no time we
were landing in SFO. We rounded up our luggage and met the shuttle driver who
took us to EC safely. There I met my mom and dad who were very happy to see me.
The UPenn cohort took one last group picture and we parted ways. I got home and
slept like a rock for a very long time.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
Diana Ramirezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01213230249087340468noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7465798186563599641.post-69702657788570843892016-07-24T21:07:00.000-07:002016-07-25T18:20:03.839-07:00All Good Things Must Come To An End<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9WevvOp2FJJvYE5604QsCdeEpy3_CW2IY-F5p0j5ucWEtL8po-lsUOFEK2-axoL9vlCGq8-qkNHpYhsq46FJNml5dEzFKXusMRMxadX3PhyphenhyphenlIV6iMBG9G2p_WXTdAoOI5ydUbpXAGBVLl/s1600/20160722_154500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9WevvOp2FJJvYE5604QsCdeEpy3_CW2IY-F5p0j5ucWEtL8po-lsUOFEK2-axoL9vlCGq8-qkNHpYhsq46FJNml5dEzFKXusMRMxadX3PhyphenhyphenlIV6iMBG9G2p_WXTdAoOI5ydUbpXAGBVLl/s400/20160722_154500.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">Last day selfie with professor Hansen </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Friday, our last day. I don’t believe how fast
these three weeks went by. I got so engulfed in everything that I forgot that
it was going to end at some point but now that the end is right around the
corner, I can't help but feel sad. This morning I woke up, took a shower and let the warm water melt away my
sadness and instead fill me with happiness because my capstone project was finalized.
I quickly got ready and headed for College Hall where my small group discussion
was going to present.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: times, 'times new roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggBU7TD39WwDrcDF2y1gI6OM7mXV4QLP9zzZfA1ZXjCW_SfUb_fTz0SLdZ9Mu3iV8xFcq9ks3w7nDQPvHB1DPlcyXwR0NA2mY10uDghiVs_2CNQ2rormhtPa0H8F-6HGD4iSHCQ0SHllov/s1600/Screenshot_2016-07-22-22-58-23.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggBU7TD39WwDrcDF2y1gI6OM7mXV4QLP9zzZfA1ZXjCW_SfUb_fTz0SLdZ9Mu3iV8xFcq9ks3w7nDQPvHB1DPlcyXwR0NA2mY10uDghiVs_2CNQ2rormhtPa0H8F-6HGD4iSHCQ0SHllov/s400/Screenshot_2016-07-22-22-58-23.png" width="224" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">Helen, Betty Therese and</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">I at the photo booth</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: times, 'times new roman', serif;">When I got there, I saw
that I was going to present last. I didn’t want to be the last one but that’s
how it played out. The nice thing was that I got to sit back and watch
everyone’s presentation before I got to go up. Some of the capstone projects
were very interesting. One of them was about violence against men and how no
one drew attention to it because of the societal standards that men are
supposed to follow that prohibit any weakness from being shown. After everyone
had presented their projects, we went back to the lecture hall where pizza was
awaiting. We enjoyed the break with the whole class and then we dove into our
reflection section.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: times, 'times new roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: times, 'times new roman', serif;">We broke off into small
groups and talked about what we were thankful for. I said that I was thankful
for all the knowledge that I had gained because it helped me see different
perspectives for the same issues. After we wrote down things that we had
learned and how we would make the program better. I think that if there was
more discussion time it would be better because it would give the students more
time to process the information. Once the reflections were done, we got our
certificates of completion. We got called up one by one like a graduation to
get our certificate from professor Hansen and everyone clapped. To top it all
off we got cupcakes!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: times, 'times new roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: times, 'times new roman', serif;">When I was done saying my goodbyes, I went back
to pack my things and made plans with Helen and Therese to go eat out for one
last time. We decided to go to Noodle Bar which was close to the movie theater.
It was a really good decision because the noodles were very good. We chatted
about our plans for the program but eventually it came time to go back to the
Quad. We got there around 7 PM so we decided to watch an episode of </span><i style="font-family: times, 'times new roman', serif;">Orange Is
The New Black</i><span style="font-family: times, 'times new roman', serif;"> before the carnival started. The carnival was planned
by the RCs as a last day treat for all of us. When it was time, we decided to
go to the palm reader first which already had a huge line. We waited for a bit
but people were cutting so we decided to come back later and went to the candy
bar. There we stocked up on all types of sweets and went to get a popsicle and
once again got in line for the palm reader and waited.</span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit_r-RweQtkpFchI2LoZffIpnZYSmE6LxVmf8jhKZrF49pOsO0mYct9Mv5tekcDVjX5moyIuCuFDF92SWSkdbvmCeRjHJZq-55_WJk2p8Dx4MoANp05a50oNdE9mjRRbGfLQbGOo7y5aiC/s1600/20160724_205917%257E2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit_r-RweQtkpFchI2LoZffIpnZYSmE6LxVmf8jhKZrF49pOsO0mYct9Mv5tekcDVjX5moyIuCuFDF92SWSkdbvmCeRjHJZq-55_WJk2p8Dx4MoANp05a50oNdE9mjRRbGfLQbGOo7y5aiC/s640/20160724_205917%257E2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Booth picture with Jenna</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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</xml><![endif]-->
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<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">After what seemed
forever, it was my turn. The palm reader told me I would get home safely and
that I had a business in the future. She also said that I was going to have
three kids (I’m not so sure about that prediction). After getting our palms
read we went to the photo booth where we took a picture with our RC Jenna. All
too soon it was time to get back to the dorm and keep packing. Before then I
got a chance to meet some of the kids from the math class which was really nice
and welcoming (except that kid that said Richmond was a horrible place). I wish
I had met them earlier! With that, I went to my room to finish packing and
get some sleep for the journey the next day.</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7_NPyS0pzwnJIvVp7zkXuF0QLWhW7MCNQnM9YEMufrwrnQ6t4Qnt0i4NtssB2eK4-7oc5t-oHBBEwHrdSKGpQ6_HL_ELbnn33UxwVdXMmDYfiSyuCeKzPp3K86ujqz3pUIgCn4k0bhqxQ/s1600/Screenshot_2016-07-22-22-57-53%257E2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7_NPyS0pzwnJIvVp7zkXuF0QLWhW7MCNQnM9YEMufrwrnQ6t4Qnt0i4NtssB2eK4-7oc5t-oHBBEwHrdSKGpQ6_HL_ELbnn33UxwVdXMmDYfiSyuCeKzPp3K86ujqz3pUIgCn4k0bhqxQ/s640/Screenshot_2016-07-22-22-57-53%257E2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Friends</td></tr>
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</span>Diana Ramirezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01213230249087340468noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7465798186563599641.post-17698857228502524292016-07-24T18:20:00.000-07:002016-07-25T18:21:44.292-07:00Organized We Stand Strong<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Thursday, the issue of environmental justice
continued with a new speaker. This time the speaker, Sarah E. Light specialized
in environmental justice through law and policy. She was a practicing lawyer
for about 10 years and interested in environmental justice was a case that she
got about a company dumping chemicals in a river. Ever since then she has been
involved in the field and now teaches two classes at UPenn. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Her lecture was about challenging assumptions about
social justice. For example, when we think of who pollutes, we often think of
private companies but often times it's not just them. Same goes with who makes
policies that control pollution. We often think of the government but big
chains like Walmart can set trends that are healthier for the world. An example
is Wal-Mart switching to 100% sustainable fish. This makes fisheries become
sustainable in order to be able to do business with Walmart. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">She also talked about chance and how to fear
factors into what issues people think are important. She made up a scenario for
the class. We were going to die but we could choose between being killed by a
shark and being killed by a coconut to the head. Most of the class said that
they would rather be killed by a coconut. When asked why they said it was a way
a safer way to die because they knew what was going to happen while with the
shark they don’t know if they would bleed out or get eaten. Statistically,
death by coconut is way more common than death by the shark but people are more
likely to make a law about sharks because they are more feared. This can happen
in more serious situations like making laws about pollution. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">That afternoon we had another speaker. It was a CPC
representative. He played a film about Chinatown and how they organized to
save a church and a school when the city decided to put a highway right in the
middle of their town. Much like Fence Line, it was going to divide families and
the community they had worked so hard to form. Thankfully, Chinatown is a very
close knit community that wants to conserve their culture so they organized the
protest and they got a “chair in the big table”. They drew attention to their
cause so that the city had no way of refusing them taking part in the decision
making for the highway. They couldn’t stop the building of the highway
completely but they made it smaller. This allowed them to save the church and
school. The town has had many successes through organizing and is now working
on nurturing the city through the building of a community center and creating
more green spaces. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I found it very interesting how they were able to
organize so many people to accomplish their goal. He said that it all came down
to three things: communication, dedication, and a common end goal. To make sure
the protest were actually organized they needed to communicate with all the
people in the town. This created a smoother protest. Dedication is an
overarching force that kept them going even if it seemed like they couldn't do
it. lastly , a common end goal helped them have their visions set on a way to
measure their success because a movement is not any good if they protest just
for protesting. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> All in all, it was a very good
last day of speakers before we had to present our capstone projects to our
groups. After class, I went to the library to work on the last things for my
capstone project but I took a break to hang out with my small discussion group.
Diamond, our TA took us to Lil’ Pop Shop to get delicious popsicles! I was
thankful All in all, it was a very good
last day of speakers before we had to present our capstone projects to our
groups. After class, I went to the library to work on the last things for my
capstone project but I took a break to hang out with my small discussion group.
Diamond, our TA took us to Lil’ Pop Shop to get delicious popsicles! I was
thankful for the break to destress. </span></div>
</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiu9C0UMi7Yj2nuKuPTvc7FX3X7Fx_sB3f2-LawaHwTq9e-QjN4oViUFT6DGk5JA7ovPKesgYcMk8cB2kvQmafShmwR6sgII4h26vXMjoN90RG_eqQjc7nrC2th8GW8rAPrf310U3rXdNO/s1600/Screenshot_2016-07-24-18-13-58%257E2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiu9C0UMi7Yj2nuKuPTvc7FX3X7Fx_sB3f2-LawaHwTq9e-QjN4oViUFT6DGk5JA7ovPKesgYcMk8cB2kvQmafShmwR6sgII4h26vXMjoN90RG_eqQjc7nrC2th8GW8rAPrf310U3rXdNO/s640/Screenshot_2016-07-24-18-13-58%257E2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">House of Diamonds </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Diana Ramirezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01213230249087340468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7465798186563599641.post-49244462268833859952016-07-24T17:21:00.002-07:002016-07-31T20:04:03.115-07:007/13 #GirlPower <div style="text-align: justify;">
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<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">*note: this blog is an
entry from 07-13*</span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In our class discussion,
the main focus we had was on women's rights and violence against women. As an
introduction to this, we watched a film called "Difret." I was
confused by the title and not understanding its context but as soon as the
first ten minutes passed my attention and eyes were glued to the screen. The
story is about a fourteen-year-old girl who gets abducted by a group of men on
the way home from school as part of the traditions in certain areas of where
she was living. One of them had knocked her unconscious then proceeded to rape
her and then make her his wife. She had escaped and killed the man using his
own rifle and awaits a trial where she is being prosecuted for murder. Being
forced to leave her family and home to be in protective custody for her own
safety from the men who want her dead, she struggles fighting for her rights as
a human and a woman along with the help of her attorney. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This story literally
broke my heart while watching it. I could not imagine the pain and sorrow she
must have been after going through all of that. If I was in her position I
don't even have faith that I would be able to stay strong myself. I knew about
the hardships it was in other countries with rape and loss of human rights, but
I never understood it until actually witnessing it with my own two eyes even
though they're just actors. It was a true culture shock that I believe many
people need to see. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Once the movie was
finished Angie had given us a lecture about the Women's Movement and Feminism
along with intersectionality. Throughout time women were left out of equality
movements and weren't taken seriously as people especially during the 18th-19th
Centuries when we struggled for suffrage. Throughout different aspects in time,
women made different movements that contributed to claiming their rights as
citizens and to me their own choices such as the first women's rights
convention in 1848 and the Declaration of Sediments where men and women were
finally made equal on a written document. A lot of the times women were not given the
credit that they deserved for the work they’ve done such as the labor in the
factories during WWII and being such strong abolitionists protesting in the
march for the Civil Rights movements. Women were judged based on the
stereotypes and social construct of what they are "expected" to do.
In 1966, the National Organization of Women was established to kill these false
and misleading images of women and reinstate new ones. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">As time went on women
slowly began gaining their rights throughout time. In 1964, Title VII of the
Civil Rights Act prohibited discrimination based on gender and by 1972, Title
IX of the Education Amendment bars bias due to gender too. This allowed more of
an equal opportunity for women to get into college, find a job, play on a
sports team, etc. If women had not
protested and raised awareness about NOW, I am not even sure if we would have
our rights now. They used intersectionality (theory used to describe people who
are being discriminated or have violence against them in multiple forms) as a
way of unity and the Stand Point Theory (common experiences or challenges that
join people together). Women may still not be completely equal to men as of today,
but at least we are more respected than before. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In the afternoon, the
guest speaker Dr. Salamishah Tillet, showed us a presentation on the different
types of ways freedom was incorporated into music. From past to present day
music is used to send messages of different meanings in an artistic and
influential way. She introduced to us artists such as Nina Simone, Shirley
Verrett, Abbey Lincoln, Aretha Franklin, and Beyonce and how their music has
shown strong influence in their own definitions of freedom and justice. Other
leaders such as Harriett Tubman, Harriett Jacobs, Sojourner Truth, and Ida B.
Wells are also major influences who expressed their truths in different ways,
most of which were associated with freedom for slaves and make peace with those
lynched or passed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It’s hard listening to
the hardships and struggles of those from the past as well as the present. The
reality of the world is so much harsher than what it is perceived to be. I have
the most respect for these people and I appreciate their effort in making a
social change within their society. Hopefully all of us will learn from these
activists and push forward a better future not allowing history to repeat
itself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
</div>
Kamillah Pollardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10450332863508225885noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7465798186563599641.post-50383543505722569402016-07-24T16:17:00.000-07:002016-07-24T17:20:38.426-07:00Our Homecoming<div style="text-align: justify;">
The effects of my late night were magnified by the fact that I had to get up at 6:30 AM to say goodbye to Sehar. I practically forced myself out of bed and outside so that I could do so. I managed to hold back tears as she left, reminding myself that she lives the closest to me out of all of my friends, and that I would be able to see her again. After Sehar left, we had some time left before the next departure, so the rest of us spent the morning together. Next to go was Sam, who had to leave in a rush. This was the point when I started crying. I had warned my friends that I was a cryer when it came to goodbyes like this.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
The ILCers and I left at 10 AM. Reva and Jana offered to help me carry my stuff to the taxi, which was so nice of them. When I returned my keys, we asked one of the counselors to take a picture of the three of us. The photos ended up featuring a lot of ugly crying faces, but that's okay. Trying to stretch out time together to the last possible moment, I returned to the front of the quad even after I had loaded my things into the taxi. There, Jack and Helen were waiting for me. Our group exchanged one last group hug and several individual ones. It was a very sad moment when I had to walk away and get into the cab. I knew that I would be able to talk to and potentially see many of my friends again, but I just couldn't believe that our time together was over! It's crazy how close you can get to people over such a short amount of time.</div>
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Our flight wasn't supposed to leave until 4 PM, so we had a lot of time to kill even after checking in and going through security. At the Starbucks, I unexpectedly ran into Jack, who was flying out to Maine with his father to meet the rest of his family for vacation. It was a short little reunion, as I had to return to the rest of my cohort, but it made me feel a little bit better. To think, I had thought that saying goodbye at the Quadrangle might have been the last time I saw him. It just goes to show you never know what's gonna happen!</div>
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My cohort and I went to a restaurant to grab a quick lunch. I hadn't eaten yet that day, so it was a relief. We spent the remaining time until we boarded the plane at the gate working on blogs and things like that. Kamillah and I took a quick break to grab some Jamba Juice, as well, which we joked tasted like home. Finally, at around 3:30, we started getting ready to get on the plane. My seat was in between Diana and Chris, so once again I didn't meet anyone new during the flight. Oh well, I might've been too tired to make good conversation anyways!</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
I was trying to get a short nap in when our captain announced that due to weather, our flight would be temporarily delayed. This didn't seem like a big deal, until the short delay turned an hour long. Then, our captain told us that we had to wait in line until we could take off. Once it was our turn, we had burned too much fuel, so we had to go all the way back to our gate to get some more. By the time we were finished, there were 35 other planes on the ground, so we had to wait for the okay to get back in line. We didn't end up getting into the air until after 8:00, four hours later than originally planned.</div>
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I was grateful once our plan took off, but at that point I could barely keep my eyes open. I spent most of the flight asleep, along with Diana and Chris, taking a short break from that only to order some food. It had been a very draining day. We landed at 11:00 PM, and had to wait awhile for all of our luggage. Then, there was some confusion with our taxi, which was parked a lot further away from us than we had thought. Luckily, the driver was able to meet us halfway. After hastily making sure that all of our luggage was secure in the trunk, we started to journey back to El Cerrito High School, bringing the entire trip full circle.</div>
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Don and all of our parents were waiting for us at ECHS, but this time the lights were on. Acknowledging how tired we all were, Don snapped a few quick shots before sending us all home. My aunt picked me up, as my mom is out of town, but I didn't tell her that much about the trip because I was still exhausted. I climbed into bed as soon as we got to my house. It felt strange, but good, to be sleeping there again.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One last time together</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Allonna Nordhavnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03283737866039825187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7465798186563599641.post-54687135456122297352016-07-23T12:19:00.001-07:002016-07-23T22:26:23.188-07:00A Night to Remember<div style="text-align: justify;">
The end of the program began with class on Friday morning. Friday was the day that we were going to present the projects we had been working on to our groups, and it was to be a short day. I got up for breakfast for what would be the last time, a meal during which myself and all of my friends were all going over our presentations and asking each other for last minute advice. We continued to do this as we made our way to our classroom building, where we waited for our group leaders to arrive and lead us into our small sections. I felt nervous, but it wasn't too bad because I knew my group members would be supportive and probably genuinely interested in what I had to say.</div>
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The first presentation we saw was a presentation by two people from different discussion groups, about the LGBTQ+ movement in Philadelphia. Their project involved surveying random people they met at Penn bookstore, and the footage from these mini-interviews made the presentation unique. I was the first one to present from my group alone, but I was almost glad that I could get it out of the way so that I could be more engaged in what my fellow students were presenting about. My presentation went smoothly, there were no technological issues and I was perfectly coherent. However, my group members set a very high bar! I'm also glad that I went first so that I didn't have to follow any of them.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
One of the highlights of the presentations was a poem by my classmate Omar, a spoken word piece he wrote about the media in the United States. I had no idea that he was so into poetry, or how talented he is! His delivery was very well paced and he put a lot of emotion into what he was saying, which made me pay that much more attention to his message. The poem was a refresher from all of the power points that we saw during the day. Of course, the power points were interesting too! I particularly enjoyed a photo series by my group member Amina, who set out to tell the stories of undocumented immigrants in the United States, and explore a hypothetical reality of our country without undocumented immigrants. The pictures she took explained the struggles that undocumented immigrants face when they come to America and all of the ways that they contribute to American society. The photos themselves were very creative, and I liked the way that Amina used individual stories to introduce us to larger topics, such as sexual assault and below minimum-wage pay.</div>
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By lunchtime, we were mostly done with presentations, and we took a break to go upstairs to the main classroom and eat pizza. In honor of our last day, the program had bought us lunch. We ate together with the other groups, but we eventually had to pop back down to our group's classroom for one final presentation. There was also another member of our group who had teamed up with a member of another group, so our two groups came together to see their presentation as well. This was another good one, as it was aimed at finding a solution to low achievement in Chicago Schools. They had come up with the idea of an app that gave kids incentive to get good grades by rewarding them with coupons and rewards points for different businesses. This was the only presentation that I saw that not only explored a problem within our society, but came up with a concrete idea about how it could be remedied. Even cooler was how the boys who created the app actually intended to implement it. They weren't just talking the talk, they were going to go out there and change something.</div>
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All of the groups having gone through all of their presentations, we stayed in class for the next hour or two doing written and verbal evaluations of the course and the impact it had had on us. We did talk about little changes that could be made, but in the end we all agreed that it had been a valuable experience. Of course, we also made time to get a group shot and exchange contact information. At the end of it all, we had a little graduation ceremony. Professor Hanson called each of us to the front of the from and gave us certificates to recognize our participation of the course. After that, we were free to go, but I lingered a little bit longer than I was obligated to to say goodbye to people. I'm sure I'll be crossing paths with many of them in the future, since we're all passionate about many of the same things, but it was pretty sad regardless.</div>
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Once the classroom had mostly cleared out, I left as well, and went back to the quad for a while. Jana, Sehar, Reva, Sam, Jack and I were going out to Pod, the same sushi restaurant I had gone to nearly two weeks before with Jana's father, for our last dinner. We had about two hours to kill before our reservation, however, so we went to the lounge in my building and watched a movie while we got ready. Pod isn't that fancy, but we thought that we might as well look nice on our last night together. While we were fixing ourselves up, we said goodbye to Lizzy, who was leaving early. This was my first parting with one of my close friends, and it was very emotional, but I had to push past it so that I could enjoy the rest of the night. Our reservation was at 7, so we started walking at 6:40.<br />
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We were seated at a round table near the back of the restaurant, and we proceeded to have a dinner filled with good food and lots of laughs. It began to hit me just how much I was going to miss these people, many of whom live on the east coast, but I pushed that thought away and decided not to think about it until later.</div>
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After a quick stop at the bookstore for one last look at the merchandise they had there, we returned again to the quad. Summer Discovery was hosting a carnival for the last night, but the festivities were partially drowned out by the activities of other programs that were staying in the quad. Determined to squeeze as much fun out of the night as possible, myself and the group I had gone to dinner with wandered around for a few hours trying to find something to do. There wasn't much going on, so we just ended up in one of our rooms playing board games and games on our phone and listening to music. I was satisfied just spending time with the people I had come to care about the most.</div>
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At curfew, I went back to my room to finish the daunting task of packing up my things. Although this seemed intimidating at first, I managed to finish this task with relative quickness. I still went to bed at 2 AM, but it could have been worse!</div>
Allonna Nordhavnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03283737866039825187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7465798186563599641.post-29615438513115756632016-07-23T12:11:00.000-07:002016-07-24T18:10:12.299-07:00Environmental Injustice <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Today’s class started off with a watching of the film, “Fence Line”, which portrayed the struggles of a community getting relocated into a part of town that isn’t next to the fence line of a nearby factory that is polluting the air. The community would take their own air samples and send them to be tested in a California facility because the company would not take responsibility and admit that they were polluting the air. The hard part about this issues is that a lot of the population worked for that company so they believed that the company was good and that it wasn’t creating problems for the community. However, for those who lived the nearest to the factory were experiencing things like asthma and lung cancer. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Out of desperation, the community began to organize because the factory promised them to buy out four streets for an expansion but they went back on their word and were only going to buy two streets. This would split up the community and make it harder for families to stay together. So, to fix this, they protested and even got to attend a convention in Amsterdam with the CEOs of the factory. This brought attention to the issue. The company, in the end, bought four of the streets and relocated all the families in that area.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The other residents still didn’t believe that the factory was polluting the environment. This is the type of mentality that prevents society from being just and fair towards the needs of everyone. In a way, it reminded me of radical political supporters that make up any excuse to justify the actions of the candidate they support even if it is evident that their actions are not correct. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">After the movie, we went to lunch and when we came back we had a speaker. The speaker, Patricia Kim, talked about environmental humanities. This is a relatively new field of study that deals with how the environment affects groups of people differently. The speaker said that it was easier to say what environmental humanities was not rather than to say what it was because it covers such a broad spectrum of issues and deals with a lot of intersectionalities.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">At the end of her talk, we were dismissed and I hung out with my floormates. We went to get some food at the 1920’s and played Pokemon Go. The time here has been so short and I wish it would slow down but at the same time, I am excited to be able to go back home and see my loved ones again.</span></div>
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Diana Ramirezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01213230249087340468noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7465798186563599641.post-80038604693542291492016-07-23T06:17:00.002-07:002016-07-24T01:08:17.752-07:00Gateway to a Better Society<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Our final day of the Social Justice Research Academy has finally reached its climax. The final day where we would all spend together and when we would present our capstone projects. My capstone project is about domestic violence and child abuse. I would show the problems a child endures and develops while maturing in a domestically violent home and how we may be able to prevent this. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Waiting to be next built up so much anticipation in my heart. I had butterflies fluttering in my stomach urging to be released from this trapped tension. I always feel as if I'm going to do horrible like my past presentations where I have a facial spasm and begin to blink abnormal amounts or talk really fast to get it over with. You would think that being in speech and debate would've helped me out with being comfortable before presenting. I was the tenth presenter, second to last. They say the last speakers are the ones you remember the most. With that thought in my mind, it added more fuel of nerves to the fire. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Before I knew it, Yun had called me up for my turn to present. All of my previous feelings had disappeared and I felt like myself again. My comfort levels had come back as if it was always there with me. I walked up to the front of the room with my Dell Laptop secured in my hands. I placed it on a nearby desk and plugged in a cord allowing my screen to be projected to the public one (sorry I don't know its technical term). I started off my presentation with an introduction video showing a family with domestic violence from the child's point of view witnessing domestic violence. From there on everything began to flow into place along with the words rolling off my tongue. What helped the most is making the group become interactive as I presented; It made it less boring and kept the audience awake and focused on the content of what I was saying. I chose to do this because it gets annoying being talked at and personally, I like feeling as if i am being talked to instead of lectured. I felt satisfied with my comfort and the compliments I received after. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris Snapped Me Preparing for the Presentation</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">For lunch, the program bought pizza for all of us to indulge. They were fat, cheesy slices but by the time we got there, it was already cold. I took a seat and chatted with some friends for the final time. It was weird thinking that this was it, the final day. It felt as if it were the last day of school all over again. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">As soon as everyone finished up their last bites, we were required to do a few activities before receiving our program completion certificates. The professor, along with student teachers, had given us blank sheets of paper to write answers to three questions projected onto the white screen. The first one was, "Name an AHA! moment that you've had while being a part of the program." I was just as confused as you are thinking in my mind, "What is an AHA! moment?" An"AHA! moment" is a moment when you know a topic or specific thing but what you know, isn't the depth of or reality of it, such as defining what exactly social justice is or gender. The second question was, "What are you looking forward to share with others when you come back home in regards to the program." The final question was "What are your goals for implementing social change within your school, community, and/or world and what will you use to make this happen?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">My AHA! moment is learning about social impact and what we actually give back to society. It incorporates health, education, safety, art, infrastructure, money, etc. all play an important role in benefiting the public. The slightest choice we make can have a chain reaction to all of society. If people chose not to get vaccines or to become educated or even abandon or remove art, the future of the world will be in chaos. It gave me a shock of reality of how important the choices we make are done with well-thought and care. In all honesty, I am not going to share anything when I get back, I am going to brag about every little detail I enjoyed so much about this program and the opportunities I have been connected with. Writing down what my goals are for social change is practically time consuming and pointless. The list is so extensive and the reality of it is that I probably won't even know half of what I actually will do until I do it. I do know for sure that I am going to stay in contact with many of the guest speakers and use their advice to my advantage later on to help steer me in the correct direction or open doors to other people who may have a stronger support to what I am trying to accomplish. This is all only scratching the surface of what my plans are.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">We spoke with one another in groups and actually shared our thoughts or opinions on our experience there, what we liked/disliked, our answers to the writing prompts, how we could improve the program, etc. My favorite response that I heard was this guy stating how amazing it was being here because he can actually speak with other people on the same intellect level as him. Where he comes from, people are mainly republican and Donald Trump. It was funny but also eye-opening to what people actually think in other areas. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Group Photo With My Section: House of Representatives</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">From that point on, we received our certificates in a small graduation style ceremony and a final speech given to us by Professor Hanson himself with mini cupcakes for all of us if we wanted one. We all took a group picture together as a class and in our individual section groups. It was a nice way to close out our program and say our farewells to everyone before we all departed ways back to where we are from. This experience is honestly unforgettable and to those reading, if you do not attend this program, you have not been exposed to raw reality of the society and world we live in today. It is a gateway to seeing past your ignorance and opening your mind up to things that you probably believed you knew but actually don't. I strongly suggest if you have the opportunity to do this, take it, you will be mind-blown. </span></div>
Kamillah Pollardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10450332863508225885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7465798186563599641.post-22135062556496043152016-07-22T04:53:00.004-07:002016-07-31T20:26:13.439-07:007/22 Bittersweet Rememberance<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The closer we get to closing out the program, the faster each day seems to pass by. We had our final guest speakers come in today to talk about environmental justice. The first speaker had explained to us about the risk and uncertainty things contain and how not everything can be made into a statistic as well as environmental standards, and pollutants. Using a humorous example, she asked us if we preferred to die of a shark attack or a coconut. I picked the coconut only because it seemed less painful and traumatizing than the shark attack but none of it mattered much to me. I can't imagine myself from dying from either since I hate coconuts and I don't know how to swim so I would not be around any of these areas. The class was divided between the choices; she pulled out her data showing which had the higher risk of death. Sharks had 64 deaths annually v. 150 deaths by a coconut. Stats such as these depend on the likeliness of which factor people are exposed to more and controlled variables. In my opinion, people are going to be more cautious of a shark attack than a coconut so they will avoid certain parts of the water rather than people avoiding palm trees. She stated that the actual risk of something depends on the perception, which drives policy makers of the environment leading to the precautionary principle. If something seems to be more dangerous than another, there would be a ban or restriction placed upon it. It's better to be safe and prevent a situation rather than be sorry and try to fix something.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">We had dispersed for lunch and gathered in our discussion groups after. Since tomorrow we would be getting fed by our program, Diana, Chris, Sam, and I decided to max out on our cards for our final day before we headed back to class. Lunch was the only time where the food was actually good and with a variety of options to choose from each day. I'm going to miss that once we leave.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In our final time of discussion group, we had reflected on our speakers and what they explained to us during their presentations. It was difficult actually getting into depth and unpack the topic when everyone in the room was still hung up over the very controversial issue of death by shark v. coconut. It's interesting how an example can lead to such an irrelevant debate between people. Moving away from this issue, our student teacher/group leader, Yun, had us draw a boat of us sailing to our goals and the things that get in the way preventing you from accomplishing it as well as the things that help propel you forward. I drew a path for a more realistic approach. It was hard for me to think of things that could get in the way of my goals for some reason. We were suppose to apply what we've learned throughout the three weeks to it but I still could not consider it. A lot of things that I thought about could also end up making me leap forward the same amount as it could hold me back. I ended up writing very few things but were factors I could see effecting me in the future. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The things I had used to barricade my way through include: social class, financial instability, gender inequality, and self-identification. The majority of the things in life that help you advance further than others plays a large role on where your social class is, how much money you have etc. Since I don't have a high privilege of either, I believe this will add to some contribution to the opportunities that I get, which can be beneficial and also a drawback. I am a girl, and because of this, a majority will not take me seriously. The evidence is in politics, social media, job pay, and just about anywhere. What I mean by self-identification is where I stand in who I am and how I am perceived by society. I have more than one race but am forced to choose between one in certain places, other places I am at a disadvantage but still privileged than most, it's as if society is pressuring me to classify myself into a category that I don't understand how or why I have to. This recap gave me more to think deeply about than I was before. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">All of us returned to the main lecture hall in the McNeil building where our last speaker, John Chin, would present to us about environmental justice within Chinatown. In 1845, Chinese immigrants had settled into the area. 38% of the people were living below poverty. The community itself has only one school and one church with no community center. The people living there were a diverse group consisting of at-risk youth, elderly, LGBTQ people, etc. and many were first generations so they knew limited English and had little to no education. Underneath this area were people constructing tunnels and highways along with placing their sewage and cement companies nearby. This leads to health hazards within the community. The only reason housing was there was to preserve Chinatown. Mr. Chin is part of the Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation. Thanks to him and his organization, he has been able to help out the community and level it out in better condition than it was before. He started with outlining in neighborhood developmental programs which led PCDC to attract five million dollars to be used to give aid in building or conditioning parks, sidewalk and road development, a community center, buildings etc. in Chinatown. A lot of the funds had came from the government. He had explained to us that protesting is not easy. In order to be taken seriously, you need a plan along with solid data, funding, and statistics to help back you up. With all this done, it proves how serious and dedicated you are to helping your cause. Communication, media, protesting, and education lead to social justice. Before Mr. Chin had left, I walked up to him and asked for his contact information for possible future advice in making a change within neighborhoods. He had really inspired me and listening to Chinatown's situation, it had reminded me a lot about cities back home in the bay who are struggling with similar issues. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">At around 4:30 PM as a way of having our last discussion group together, the program is paying for Yun to take our group out for ice cream. We had walked to Ben and Jerry's nearby the campus where each of us had ordered our ice cream. I decided to try something new and order "The Tonight Dough with Jimmy Fallon." It was a cute creative name that immediately caught my attention and I knew I had to order it. We all sat together and indulged our ice cream enjoying it, and one another's company. It was a bittersweet end for our group but we still had another day left to savor together while it lasts. </span></div>
Kamillah Pollardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10450332863508225885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7465798186563599641.post-3651723012173012282016-07-21T22:13:00.000-07:002016-07-23T12:20:19.070-07:00My way = Your way<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The lecture started with the question, what is a disability? One of the answers that really resonated with me was “an opportunity for polite words”. Abled bodied people tend to see disabled people as sad and frustrated people because they can’t be like abled bodied people. However, disabled people are just like everyone else. They might have a different way to do things but in the end, both abled people and disabled people can do the same things. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A big point that we addressed in class what the differences between the medical approach and social approach to disability. The medical approach says that individual is at fault for being disabled while the social model says that the fault is on society for not catering to disabled people. One example that they gave was that a person in a wheelchair is not disabled until the sidewalk doesn't’ have a cut out for them to get up on top of it. The medical model would say it's the individual's fault for being in a wheelchair while the social model would say that it is society’s fault because they don’t make the sidewalk accessible to wheelchairs. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">While it is true that the social model holds various good point, the medical model also provides many benefits to the individuals like access to medicine and services that they otherwise might not be able to access if they didn’t have that label of being medically disabled. They both work together in a lot of cases. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When we started our small group discussion, someone brought up the question of when is an accommodation for someone who is disabled going to affect other people negatively. No one could really think of such an instance but they brought up how extra time was abused at their school by kids that didn’t really need it while the kids who actually need it was left out because other people would abuse it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After group, we went to the Common Touch exhibition which displayed interactive pieces of art one way or another related to the history of blind individuals. There were examples of braille and how there was a dispute over which style should be used. There was also samples of a blind person writing a letter for someone who can see. During this time period, there were no real accommodations for people with disabilities. I really liked being able to touch the art and get to read about the experiences of individuals with disabilities. </span><br />
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</span>Diana Ramirezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01213230249087340468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7465798186563599641.post-1044718920190070172016-07-21T22:07:00.001-07:002016-07-21T22:13:23.721-07:00Off With His Head!<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The rest of my day was spent going through the motions. After class I spent my time doing some more research for my capstone project and preparing for class the next day.</span></div>
Diana Ramirezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01213230249087340468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7465798186563599641.post-9283836616755765322016-07-21T21:57:00.000-07:002016-07-21T21:57:13.286-07:00The End is Near<div style="text-align: justify;">
Today was our last full day of class, since tomorrow we will spend the entire morning presenting our Capstone Projects and then get out early. We began the morning with a guest speaker, one of two who would come to talk to us today. The morning speaker was an environmental lawyer, Dr. Sarah Light, who also teaches at UPenn. She came to talk to us about environmental law and policy making. Dr. Light had a good energy from the moment she stepped into the room. She made it clear she was going to engage us by having us put away our electronic devices and asking a lot of questions right away. </div>
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Dr. Light touched on topics that you don't usually hear about when discussing the environment. Typically, a speaker would inform us about all the damage that human activity is doing to the earth and why it is important for us to care about global warming. Instead of getting into the technicalities of the environmental problems that the earth is facing, however, Dr. Light focused on the best ways to make environmental reforms. She talked about the different types of environmental regulations, how businesses themselves could facilitate environmentalism, and other factors that went into shaping environmental policy such as the Precautionary Policy and risks vs. uncertainties. I personally found the discussion very interesting, because I want to go into law and this type of material appealed to me more than a traditional talk about global warming would have. I liked the fact that Dr. Light told us about the types of things that could be done to remedy the problem, instead of spending time talking about the problem itself.</div>
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Dr. Light's presentation ended at 11:40, and we were dismissed early for lunch. Pleasantly surprised, I proceeded to blow the rest of the money on my PennCard, which I won't need to use in Houston Market anymore. My friends and I sat outside and spent the extra long lunch period enjoying our food (obviously), playing games, and making plans for our final time here.</div>
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At 1:00, I headed back to class for my group discussion. The group sessions today were two hours long, and after they were over we went back upstairs for another guest speaker. This time, it was a member of the Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation. We were supposed to take a field trip to Chinatown at some point, but they decided to come to us instead. The guest speaker spoke about how Chinatown had arisen as the center of Chinese culture in Philadelphia and how they had had to fight over the years to preserve their position. I had no idea that there were so many Chinese in Philadelphia, but I was inspired by the way that the members of the Chinatown community have been able to combat injustice again and again and succeed. These struggles included protesting against the construction of a prison and a highway in their community.</div>
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After the speaker from Chinatown left, I rushed back to the quad, still having some serious work to do on my Capstone Project. Of course, this was also one of my last days here, so I wanted to spend as much time with my friends as possible. As such, I worked for a while in my building's lounge before going out with Jana, Lizzy, Jack, Sehar, Reva, and Sam to take pictures. We wanted to capture what would be our last day all together, since Lizzy has to leave early. To do so, we took silly shots all throughout Penn's campus. </div>
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Once our inner photographers were satisfied, our group went our separate ways for a bit. However, we reconvened again to go to dinner at a nearby Chinese restaurant, Beijing. We've been there before, and it's really tasty, but I had already eaten by the time we went. Still, I sat with my friends and had a good time while they ate their food. Upon returning to the dorms, I went back to the lounge where I had been working earlier to put the finishing touches on my project. My friends joined me, and we all powered through our last assignments together. I believe that everyone got all of their work done, and it was a productive if a bit mellow night.</div>
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With the program coming to a close, I am feeling sad. I'm going to miss everyone here so much! If I could do it all over again, I definitely would. However, it's not over yet, and I'm determined to have a great time on the last day, and squeeze as many more good memories as I can into the next 24 hours. </div>
Allonna Nordhavnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03283737866039825187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7465798186563599641.post-36140867510478932412016-07-18T20:55:00.002-07:002016-07-18T20:55:39.705-07:00Halfway Done, Still Growing<div style="text-align: justify;">
Wednesday marked the halfway point of our time at Penn. It seems like I've been here for so long, learning and making connections with my fellow students, but at the same time this experience is passing so quickly! I'm definitely trying to make the most of the rest of my time here, and take advantage of all of the great opportunities I have here while I can. I'm also trying not to look ahead too far to when I'll have to say goodbye to all the great people I've met here, I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.</div>
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We started off with another film, the third one this week. In fact, we have watched one every day this week, but I don't mind. I find all of them very interesting, and a good way to get an introduction or an overview of a topic. Wednesday featured my favorite film thus far, called Difret. Our speaker, who would come later that day, had recommended that Dr. Hanson show it to us. Difret differed from the other films we had watched in that it was not a documentary, but it was based off of a true story.</div>
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In the film, a girl from Ethiopia named Hirut was kidnapped from school by a group of men from her village. These men kept her locked in a room for several days, during which one of the men raped her. Hirut eventually managed to escape, but ended up killing the same man in the process. She was sent to jail in the capital, where an attorney who worked for a law firm dedicated to helping disenfranchised women and girls attempted to save her from death at the hands of the villagers, who wanted Hirut dead because they thought she killed her captor without just cause. It turns out, it was a tradition in their culture to kidnap the girl one wants to marry. Hirut was eventually set free, and her case ended up setting a precedent for abduction for marriage becoming illegal in Ethiopia. However, her life and she as a person was still damaged, as she had to adjust to life in the city and without her family. She did this with the support of her lawyer Meaza, who risked her business and challenged systems of power to protect Hirut.</div>
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We spent the whole morning and most of the lunch period watching Difret. After the film was over, we split into discussion groups, where we were able to talk about what we had seen and how we felt about it. I and the rest of the class were captivated by the trial and the different power dynamics at play in the film. Even though we were reading what they were saying through subtitles (the characters only spoke Amharic), I know I for one was able to really connect to the people in the film. I think that it was good for us to see something that showed social justice issues on a wider scale and beyond just what affects those of us in the class.</div>
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Our guest speaker of the day came in the afternoon. Her name is Salamishah Tillet, and she is a professor at University of Pennsylvania. She also is a co-founder of A Long Walk Home, Inc., which is an organization that uses art to express the struggles that African Americans face. Dr. Tillet came to speak to us about violence against girls and women, something that seemed very appropriate given what we had witnessed before she came. I found Dr. Tillet's talk very engaging, because she made a presentation for us that featured video and audio clips to demonstrate her points. Mostly, these consisted of songs that different black women throughout history have written and performed to express their unique struggle. Some of the artists that she showed us were Nina Simone, Aretha Franklin, and Beyoncé. Dr. Tillet's theme and the focus that she put on black women's roles in the feminist movement in particular fit perfectly into some recent discussions that we have had about intersectionality, as well.</div>
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After Dr. Tillet's presentation and the discussion that followed, class let out. Myself and my fellow classmates were determined to get some work done on our Capstone Projects, so that we wouldn't have to hurry to do them last minute. We also remembered that Wednesday was the day that we had to sign up for activities on Thursday through Sunday. The competition for these activities would be fierce this week, especially for the upcoming Phillies games. Not wanting to be at the back of the line, a group of seven of us went up to the lounge where sign ups take place and took some seats. We arrived about two hours before sign ups were set to begin, so we had some time to really make a dent in our projects. The question that I have finally decided to pose, which has changed and been developed from the ideas I had before, is whether or not American society has become less racist since the Civil Rights movement of the 1950s and 60s. This seemed like an appropriate question given the racial and economic inequalities we've heard about in class, and how those two things intersect. For the next two hours, I selected sources and started taking notes that will later be incorporated into the written element of my project.</div>
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By the time the RCs on duty came to conduct sign ups, the lounge we were in had become a zoo. There were so many people waiting to get the activities they wanted that the line actually stretched out of the lounge and into the hallway. Luckily, we were in front. Our foresight had payed off, and we were all able to get spots to go to the Friday night Phillies game that we had wanted, as well as a trip to Reading Terminal Market on Sunday.</div>
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We hurried out of the crowded lounge to go get dinner, which we proceeded to burn off at the gym. Anyone who knows me knows that I am not very athletic, but I actually don't mind going to the gym with my friends here. There is something really satisfying in pushing myself until I know I've accomplished something, even if it's only something small. After the gym, my friends Jack, Reva, and I set out to do our laundry. I had a lot of clothes that I needed cleaned, so I piled them all into my mesh bag and hauled them across the quad and into the basement of the main building. The laundry room is very hot and muggy; it almost feels like a steam room. I had to have some patience as I waited for washers and dryers to free up, but it wasn't as much of a hassle as one might think. It was pretty easy to operate the machines, and everyone had very good laundry room etiquette. As a result, I was able to complete this task with little stress.</div>
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For the rest of the night, I simply hung out with some friends in the quad listening the music. It was a more low key day than some others, with no field trips or activities involved. I felt like I had accomplished a lot by the end of it, however, and was able to get a good night's sleep. </div>
Allonna Nordhavnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03283737866039825187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7465798186563599641.post-56139938473047506562016-07-17T20:49:00.001-07:002016-07-17T20:49:09.626-07:00Work, Work, Work, Work, Work, Work<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today was a very uneventful day in the sense that physically I didn’t do much except go out to eat and walk around. I woke up around 9 AM since I had planned on going to the Phillies vs Mets game but I wasn’t feeling all that well so I decided to say in my dorm, take care of myself and work on my capstone project. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I went to get some breakfast from the same food truck as yesterday and ate while in the comfort of my AC. When I finished, I started looking at the Penn database for documents related to my research topic which is food deserts in low income areas like Richmond. I am not very familiar with how to use a database so I didn’t really get much out of it so I resorted to Google Scholar since I’ve worked with it before. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I found some seemingly interesting articles but nothing too specific about my topic question which is a bummer.i spent so much time looking and finessing with the terms I searched but I still couldn’t find much. It was getting a bit late so I decided to get out of my room and see some sunlight. I was hungry so I walked to Chipotle and got a salad bowl. It reminded me of my sister Karen since she loves Chipotle and often times takes me there when we hang out. In a way it made me a bit homesick but I was hungry so I got distracted by the food.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I was done, I walked around UPenn for a while to stretch my limbs and get refreshed. When I got back to my dorm, Betty was already in our room. She went with Helen to shop in the outlets. She brought back several bags and a new pair of shoes. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;">As it got darker I decided to stop my research and get ready to sleep because tomorrow is the start of the new week. Our last week actually. It’s crazy how fast time has gone by! I am definitely not ready to leave this beautiful campus and all the amazing people I have met. For now I will not think about it and learn as much as possible. </span></div>
Diana Ramirezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01213230249087340468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7465798186563599641.post-13284745001572328472016-07-17T20:20:00.000-07:002016-07-17T20:20:23.913-07:00Sunshine and Great Tans<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Today was a very exciting day because we got to go to Ocean City in New Jersey! The whole Summer Discovery program went to enjoy the beach and the boardwalk that was lined with shops and restaurants. </span></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-aa4049d2-fbfd-5979-45a2-29aaf8bca921" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In the morning, I woke up around 8:30 AM to get ready for the beach. I packed my towel, sweater, and my portable charger just in case. Then when it was time, I walked down stairs to meet up with my floor mates to walk to the bus. Before we left I decided to get some food because I didn’t want to eat right when we got to Ocean City. Very conveniently there was a food truck that served lunch and breakfast right outside the Quad. I decide to get a </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">bagel and some hot chocolate. Hot chocolate?! In this hot weather?! you might say but I drank it in our air conditioned bus! </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Once we got to Ocean city, Therese and I went to freshen up in the bathroom where me met up with Kamillah. After putting some sunblock on we started to walk around the boardwalk before we decided to check out some of the stores. There was a lot of the same clothing in all of them. After a while of window shopping we decided to go and hang out at the beach. We layed out our towels and sunbathed for a while. It was very relaxing and therapeutic specially since we hadn’t been on the beach in a very long time. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMMCEAiNVUjDOREf0rfWjResscFhl6cbAdyytc2nryple62ueR1gi_MI6Jm1sHlcFMkGLz3C-d0jLYfF0ChMGo8RPVGbs3-_3wNSsZjzVPjKYzyXnWDH-4JG2qpHrqLtpmuhHx0UXOzmib/s1600/20160716_145118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMMCEAiNVUjDOREf0rfWjResscFhl6cbAdyytc2nryple62ueR1gi_MI6Jm1sHlcFMkGLz3C-d0jLYfF0ChMGo8RPVGbs3-_3wNSsZjzVPjKYzyXnWDH-4JG2qpHrqLtpmuhHx0UXOzmib/s640/20160716_145118.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beach was pretty packed</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">After a while of laying there, we decided to go in the water. I thought it was going to be very cold but it wasn’t. It was cool but not freeing like in Cali. We stayed in the water for a good hour. By then it was almost time to reconvene at the flashpoint that the RCs had set up for us. Before then I went back to a store called Shirt Shack to buy a drawstring bag and a shirt. They actually make all their clothing and put the decals on them. I thought that was very unique.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;">After the shopping, It was time to head back to UPenn. We met up at the flashpoint and as a big group walked back to our awesome buses. I took a nap and like magic, when I woke up, we were back in front of the Quad. I had a great deal of fun and got to relax and be covered in sand.</span></div>
Diana Ramirezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01213230249087340468noreply@blogger.com0