Self-Assessment Diversity Attitude Survey

After taking the first survey, Core Beliefs about Mind, Body, Spirit, and Reality, I realized my spiritual foundations are not as strong as I would have hoped. By spiritual I do not mean religious, but instead dealing with the human spirit, how I perceive the world around me. In short the reality that I have created for myself through my perceptions. There were several questions in the essay dealing with this topic. I held firm beliefs for some, weak beliefs for others, and even contradictory beliefs for a few that I felt I was more than just uncertain about, but couldn’t place myself easily in agreement or disagreement. I also played it safe, and did not strongly agree or disagree to too many questions. Only a few questions stirred in me these strong convictions. The first question stirring any real emotions being “Human nature is the same for all human beings. Human nature is constant; it does not change.” Human nature is constant. I equate human nature to instinctual survival. There are certain things that have kept this species alive. These things are engrained into our very being and we have been carrying it around with us since the beginning of civilization. If left to our own devices in an uncertain territory, our true nature will resurface. Switching on a more primal perception, and letting fall away the civilized veil we have been reprogrammed to wear. On the second survey, Core Beliefs: What I Learned from My Parents, my parents parenting skills came into question. Not attack mind you, just question. I realized that some of my well formed beliefs didn’t come from my parents. At least, I don’t remember it coming from them. However, the belief itself feels as if it has always been with me, from the day I took my first cognitive step forward. One such question was “I learned from my parents or those who raised me that it was important to make a genuine effort to understand other people.” Although, I make the genuine effort to understand other people, this is not something that was instilled to me by my parents. Through them was how I learned the importance of understanding others, especially those closest to us. My parents loved me and loved each other, but they were not without their problems. I had found myself in the middle of their squabbles many times counseling, listening, and even advising on matters I had yet to experience, being only a child at the time. But I don’t condemn them for their behavior; instead I thank them for their trust. Even as a child with minimal experience I understood the importance of communication and understanding, and always had a maturity to me that was far beyond my biological years. Other questions, I feel I came into learning through the aid not of my parents but of my sibling, like learning “from my parents or those who raised me that it was important to consider the thoughts, needs, and feelings of others.” I was an only child growing up, at least until the age of 6. I never interacted with children much, and was a loner by nature. My parents only cared about my interests. When my sister came into the picture, I knew she was someone who needed protection. I knew my job as an older sibling was to protect and serve, to change her if she was soiled and to feed her if she was hungry. I never minded it once. I still don’t. As she grew older and more active, I stood by and watched her. I watched her behavior and her interactions with others. I realized she was much more open then I was. I would talk to her about what made her so open and friendly, why she cared for other individuals, people other than family. She taught me that family was important, but so was everybody else. All anyone ever wants is to be respected and shown a little consideration. That is what she taught me. With her it was always instinctual. With other people it didn’t always come quite that easy. We both know she changed me for the good, and I believe, to this day, with her addition to the Lopez family came my humanity. In the third survey, Core Beliefs: How I Was Raised, I realized many of my beliefs were torn by cultural traditions and contemporary traditions. Growing up in the United States and attending public school will do that to you. The traditional and “proper” way of behaving was taught to me by my Grandmother. But my parents raised me as an American child, protecting and passing on some of the more traditional behaviors. But also exhibiting and communicating permissible behavior for this country. Although my family is quite open and friendly, I am not. I’m very closed off and I keep to myself. Casual touching of any kind makes me feel self conscious. My family didn’t raise me to feel that way; it is just a feeling I have always carried with me. For some reason or another I’m just not comfortable with it, which is actually quite amusing because most of the people I have attracted as friends are. So I bite my tongue for their sake and mine. For the fourth survey, Beliefs about Men, although my remarks on each question may come off a little stereotypical woman it turns out that these stereotypes are in fact true. Well, at least when dealing with the men that surround my life. I know not all men are the same, to say so would be cruel and unjust, but there are certain things that set apart men from women and that unite men from all walks of life. Like “Male humor is more often than not gross or offensive,” then again maybe I just hang out with the wrong crowd, but I don’t think so, because even the good, quiet boys make jokes that would be offensive to anyone. Of course, I relish in it and have been known to make a crude joke here and there, but that is the fun part about being friends with guys. Sometimes they can be so inappropriate. To be friends and survive a relationship with man, woman must know that what is usually said about men holds some truth. Another example would be “Men perceive reality differently than women.” A question I strongly agree with. We, men and women, see things and perceive realities completely different. An action that is perceived by the opposite sex as a wrong doing, may in fact not be that all. Miscommunication ensues and by then neither wants to listen to the other. But I also know, without the question being brought up in the survey that men are simple. Not simpleminded as some man-haters and feminists may have you believe. Instead, they are just simple. If they want you to know something they’ll tell you. Although they do have emotions, they are a bit more constricted with them. “Showing emotion is showing weakness,” is what I imagine one of the rules to read in the MANual. But if a guy wants you to know how they feel and they feel comfortable enough to show you they will, simple. Survey 5, Beliefs about Women, also had some very stereotypical questions that held truth in their words. But when answering these questions I couldn’t help but feel a little bias toward my gender, obviously. Looking at this survey with a female friend it was very interesting to gauge her reaction to that of mine. She had much more to say and stronger reactions than that of my own, and even complete opposite feelings on certain questions, like “Flights into romantic fantasy are common in women.” I completely disagree with that, nowadays women barely have enough time to cultivate a relationship, let alone fantasize about one. And these flights, do they include erotic fantasies? I believe men do a little more than just fantasize about the feel of a woman, some dream about the perfect girl, the perfect relationship, even the perfect family. There were quite a few factors that definitely played a part in how I answered certain questions, basing certain responses on how I see the world as a woman and how the women around me live their lives. Survey 6, Beliefs about Race, was another survey I played it safe, keeping my cool and rarely responding strongly to any question. Although the first part of the survey was answered mainly with disagrees. As I continued with the survey I wondered about a lot of things, did I really feel that way. Even if I didn’t, I know I wouldn’t want to accept all the stereotypes about race; I wouldn’t let myself fall into that frame of thought. Then I began to think maybe certain races are offered certain privileges and that is what fortifies the stereotypes. But then again other races aren’t given the same chances and must make do with what they have. For example, “Black people as a race are gifted athletes and entertainers.” I believe this because many “black people” do tend to excel in sports and entertainment. Ten just crossed my mind typing up that sentence, Will Smith, Cedric the Entertainer, Michael Jordan, and if I was remotely interested in sports I know I’d have a few more names to add to the list. But maybe in them doing well, doors are opened to others who related to these men, and opportunities arise, if not opportunities, then definitely confidence in exceeding in such fields. But when certain races are mentioned to being more power hungry over others, or more economically savvy, then I think of all the situations in History that may have led to those races being seen in that light. For the final survey, which by this time I thank God I was able to get through Beliefs about Sex and Gender, I was able to get through it fairly quickly with few hesitations and a more clearer view of how I see Sex and Sexuality. Sex and sexuality is not as black and white as we would hope. There are several misconceptions and gray areas. And I dislike gray areas, but sometimes it’s not always clear cut. Gender identity and what shapes it, homosexuality and what triggers it, even “regular” relations, if there are such things, are a messy part of life. During questions of homosexuality I would make strong opinions due to the allies I have made who are “gay.” Sex like life is messy and should be enjoyed to the fullest and with those you love.

What do you understand intersexuality and transexuality to be? Has your study of these topics been useful to you? How?

This has been quite the enlightening topic. Intersexed individuals are known as hermaphrodites. There are three different categories of hermaphrodites: true hermaphrodites, male pseudohermaphrodites, and female pseudohermaphrodites. True hermaphrodites have both testicular and ovarian tissue, they posses one testicle and one ovary. Male pseudohermaphrodites have testes, no ovaries, but still exhibit female genitalia. Female pseudohermaphrodites have ovaries, no testes, but still exhibit male genitalia. I consider myself an open minded individual and try to find acceptance in all living creatures, Homo sapiens or not. But this new information has generated more questions than answers. How do these intersexed individuals lead a normal life knowing what they hide underneath their clothes? If a child is born with an ambiguous sex and the situation is not “corrected” what type of a life will that child lead? Will it be one of “psychological and mental trauma” like the doctors suggest? When reading the accounts of people who are considered intersexed, I sit and wonder what their life might have been like before they knew their genetic makeup and how much it might of changed once they were informed of the situation. Did they lead “normal” boy/girl lives of you show me yours and I’ll show you mine? After learning the truth, how did they feel? Devastated? Relieved? On some level did they understand they were always different, unique? Then I look back at the asexual life I lead as a child. Gender was never an issue for me. People were just people and their preferences were their own to make. In elementary school, I remember having a “gay” friend. One my parents didn’t approve of. I considered him a gay friend because he was a little boy who liked, and I mean like-like, other little boys. We enjoyed coloring Disney Princesses together. Back then those days were seemingly simple. But with all this new found technology we have found yet another way to discriminate, gender testing. We are now looking to atomic particles to further categorize our ever chaotic world. But the deeper you dig the fuzzier these distinctions become. You know, in the womb we are all female until certain hormones take affect that distinguish us otherwise. And sometimes that is not always the case, as can be seen with intersexuality. Now, in transexuality the individual believes their primary and secondary sex characteristics do not match their gender identity. For example take Stan the biological man, give him a warped sense of self, and there you have a transsexual. What do I mean by warped sense of self? Well, simply that he doesn’t see himself as everyone else sees him. He sees himself as an individual who has been placed in the wrong body. He considers every aspect of himself, except for his body, as that of a woman. I can only imagine what that must be like, to think you inhabit an incorrect vessel. For me, it would be like waking up the next day in the body of anyone or anything that isn’t me. Looking into the mirror and seeing a stranger look back. I would be left with feelings of inadequacies and frustration. That is how I imagine the lives of some of these transsexuals to be. And with a life like that, no wonder suicide presents itself as a way to opt out of all of it. No more confusion, aggravation, or hiding ones true self. Researching this topic has opened up my eyes to a world I barely knew existed. Some many different, unusual, exhilarating, wonderful people live on this planet. And I may not understand all of them but I have come to accept, cherish, and even love them. To express a sentiment similar to that of Martin Luther King, Jr.: I love them not because they are likable, but because the Big Man upstairs loves them. I’m not the religious type, but I do believe in the power love exudes. If there is a being out there that can love us unconditionally, despite our flaws, and I don’t mean those of us with genetic quirks or experiencing gender confusion, I mean those of us who hate, fear, and judge because there are others out there different from us, then we should be able to show that same unconditional love and acceptance to all of the Big Man’s creations.

Observation for Equity

I completed this assignment in Ms. Cabrera’s Art Appreciation class held at John F. Kennedy Middle School. The school is comprised mostly of “minorities” – African American, Haitian American, Latin American, and Islanders from the Caribbean. However, here they are not considered so. While observing the class, Ms. Cabrera assigned an activity on making a collage. First, the student must complete the assigned reading on said topic. Then the teacher goes through the lesson orally. Ms. Cabrera had the students read Chapter 3 Art Media and Techniques, Lesson 7 Making a Collage form their textbooks. The lesson describes to the student what a collage is, what they will learn from the activity, what they will need for the activity, and what procedures to follow to complete the activity. After they are finished reading the lesson, Ms. Cabrera goes through it with the class in a concise manner. On the board I observe this message written by her to the students, “Use materials to make a picture collage with a theme. Do not begin to glue until you have your design.” To complete this activity the students are expected to:

1. Pick a theme (cars, sports, nature, animals, fashion, etc.).
2. Browse through magazines and collect images, words, and textures that depict said theme.
3. On a sheet of white paper 11”x14”, create a design using what they have collected from the magazines. Certain images and words should be trimmed as needed, and the student is free to incorporate construction paper, markers, and colored pencils to help build up their collage. They may even add images and text drawn by their own hand.
4. When the student is satisfied with their design they can begin to glue the pieces they have selected for their collage down on the white paper. The student should not leave any white spaces showing through and can create a flow through their selected images by overlapping them.

While observing Ms. Cabrera I do believe she shows sensitivity to diversity in the classroom. Being her first year teaching at JFK Middle School I believe she is handling the transition well. Although her title is as an Art Teacher, she was first and for 10 years a Dance Teacher at a school severely different from this one. She is aware of the vast difference between her Dance students and the students she is now teaching Art to, but tries to find herself amongst all the changes that have occurred to her in the past year. She treats all her students equitably. All students are praised when they have done something correctly and all are punished when behavior has reached a disruptive point. “Good” or “bad,” “black” or “white” all students receive praise on an assignment well done. And even if the assignment isn’t a masterpiece, but the behavior is one of focus, determination, and effort that alone will earn you a word of encouragement from her. She fully recognizes and accepts the diversity of her students. She is very aware of the diversity her students bring into the classroom, form differences in countries where they and their families are from, to home lives, and even psychological standings. Although, Ms. Cabrera tries her best to recognize different learning styles, if the student is not verbal about “getting it” or it hasn’t become obvious to her that the student doesn’t quite understand the assignment sometimes a student may slip under the radar. This situation is only noticeable once the student turns in an assignment that has been completed incorrectly. Although, she is willing to work with the student on improving their assignment, occasionally the class may be too large to address all the students on a one to one basis. This is unfortunate and may lead to the teacher believing that all her students are “getting it,” while the ones who aren’t maybe being pushed to the background. She instructs all her students, twice, so as to make sure the assignment is as clear as possible. As mentioned before, the student is left to read about the assignment independently from their textbooks first. Then, she orally explains the details of the activity. In doing so she uses visual aids to help the students come to an understanding of what is expected of them and their assignment. If any questions, misconceptions, or hesitations arise she tries to deal with them on a student to student basis. Ms. Cabrera does provide an open climate; however, I believe the students seem to create this type of climate all on their own. Most are very open themselves and quite amiable, greeting me my first time around and other times after that. Most seem to have a positive repertoire with the teacher, very few shying away for social reasons. When working in art it is important to use alternate and diverse materials, and that is exactly what she does. For example, in class the students are working on creating a collage. Their first collage is being created using construction paper and magazine clippings. The second collage they do in class will be created using fabric swatches, a great way to add depth and texture to any piece. Ms. Cabrera does her best to accommodate and provide for her students needs. If she realizes one of her students needs a little extra attention she offers it willingly. She provides them with as much as she can, and has even registered the class on an adopt-a-class website where additional help from family and friends can assist her in managing the needs of the classroom better. Finally, Ms. Cabrera does apply model learning to encourage all students, even diverse ones, to complete their assignments. In Art, how else could it be? To learn any technique you must observe someone using it. You can’t learn to hold a paintbrush by reading about it; you must watch the artist at work, and then attempt the technique yourself for true reinforcement. The activities done in class are no doubt hands-on. This gives Ms. Cabrera the opportunity to visually, as well as verbally, show students different techniques used in completing certain works of art.

What do you think to be the cause of homosexuality? Have your views on homosexuality been affected by the study of this topic?

The cause of homosexuality has not been researched enough to begin to make an educated guess on the subject. I do not know what the cause of homosexuality is. Various studies have been done on this topic, some scientifically intriguing and some a little less enlightened. The major causes for homosexuality that are being debated are biology and choice. I believe it is a combination of both. Many homosexuals claim biology to be the reason they were born that way, just like others who have no control over the skin color they were born with or the gender they came in. Homosexuality isn’t a “lifestyle” but instead a way of living that is out of their control. And to a certain extent I understand the reasoning behind it all. I can almost agree to the gay gene. But no such gene has been discovered in the human genome, at least not yet. However, I have seen families share similar “lifestyles.” For example, out of a group of siblings, two lead homosexual lifestyles. Maybe others in the family are prone to similar feelings but instead of succumbing to them, they hide these feelings away in neat little packages deep down in a dark corner of their mind, never to accept themselves fully. Or maybe conditions arose during their childhoods that lead to this “lifestyle” decision. Maybe it was something both siblings experienced when growing up. Freud believed parental relationships play a large role on deciding a child’s sexual orientation, nature vs. nurture, yet another key idea in the whole homosexuality debate. Leading this type of “lifestyle” isn’t as simple as deciding to become a vegetarian. A decision of this magnitude has the power to change your existence in its entirety. Coming out is something that is both liberating and terrifying, and can easily put anyone off on the idea of accepting homosexuality as a lifestyle. Many people, however, sum up the courage and make the decision to come out to family and friends, coworkers and acquaintances. They decide they can only ever love someone of the same gender, a decision that will forever affect their life. When coming out you must be prepared to deal with others new found acceptance of you, rejection of you, and utter hatred of you. You will endure acts of discrimination, harassment, and even crime. With that one decision a wave of lifestyle changes will crash into you. I don’t know what the cause of homosexuality is, but I do know those who choose to live their life in such a manner risk much and even all for what, just some lifestyle choice? No, I don’t believe so. To live the life you know you should, risking some well being in the process, is to be propelled by more than just a “lifestyle” choice. It’s heeding the call and accepting who you truly are.

React to the article "Tale of Two Islands." Do you think a case can be made for charges of institutional racism?

In all honesty, I’m not sure. I decided to discuss this case with my Mother. She was born in the United States, but considers her home to be that of Puerto Rico. So, I thought she might have some insight on the situation with Cuba and Haiti. Before I could read the entire article, she explained that they were undergoing two very different situations. Cubans were considered to be political refugees, while Haitians were considered to be economic migrants. One group was severely affected by the political status of the country they are from, so affected are they that they fear for their life because of their political beliefs and will not return to their country for the fear of being prosecuted. The other group is severely affected by the economic status of the country, and has willingly chosen to the leave it for economic reasons. When I began to read the article, that explanation made sense. People who opposed the political agenda of the masses could be in grave danger if forced to live in a country that they didn’t see eye to eye with. It’s like letting a herd of sheep live near a den of wolves. Eventually the wolves will get hungry and start to pick them off one by one. But what of the ones willing to go, economic conditions so poor it drives away the country’s own people. Of course if one has the means, we always opt to live in a more economically stable environment. No one in their right mind wants to live in poverty. Why didn’t the United States extend that helpful hand once again to those in need? Haitians weren’t willingly going; instead they were being forced out by the deteriorating economic and political status they were practically being forced to live in. Unfortunately, with Papa Doc also came a lot of the similar treatment given to citizens based on their political standings. Papa Doc was a dictator, much like Fidel Castro, and denied all human rights. He also forced all political rivals into exile. Those whom were exiled due to their political beliefs were granted similar help like those coming from Cuba, but many Haitians were turned away if they couldn’t bring sufficient evidence of such reasons for leaving. The ones who were turned away were sent back to the deplorable conditions of their country. Yes, the situations are different, but not by much. A large part of Haiti’s descent into poverty was due to the United States’ hand in this whole fiasco. At times I even believe that the United States even found it suitable to leave Haiti in the state that it was in. Although, it is easy to claim institutional racism because both parties are different in ethnic looks, black and white, I would still need more information, more facts, and more accounts of the one’s who experienced these living conditions. I’m not sure if the United States have stopped being racist, but I do know often times they only act out when they can reap something of benefit.

Reflect on what you've learned about Race and Racism.

This has been one of the most taxing subjects I have ever had to address in school. There has only ever been one other subject to do that to me and that subject is Global Warming, two very important subjects with seemingly no connection. But there is a connection. How can we even begin to show an understanding and appreciation for the planet that sustains us when it is clear that we can barely show it to one another? In reading the first essay, "Race": A Most Dangerous Myth, it became clear that humans are only satisfied when they have categorized and compartmentalized the hell out of the human race. Excuse my blatant use of the blasphemous term. I was discussing this matter with a friend and I explained that humans want to categorize everything, from animal species to written works (like books) and even themselves. And they do so because they can only begin to “live” comfortably knowing everything around them has a label. She thought my use of the term label was a little harsh, maybe even incorrect, but I stand by what I say. Labels make the world go round, not intelligence or decency. I work at a bookstore as I may have mentioned before, and even the books have been labeled according to the subject matter. Okay, from a business perspective I can understand separating Math books from Fiction and History from Science books, but within those sections are even more labels. When selling a product your main goal is to get it into the hands of the consumer as fast as possible. But within the Fiction section there is a Mystery sub-section, a Romance sub-section, a Sci-fi/Fantasy sub-section, and even those sub-sections are divided amongst themselves. If you ask me, any story that is written from the imagination of another is Fictional and therefore belongs in Fiction. Why the need to further complicate life and separate what you already know is Fictitious? Well, that is what we have done and continue to do when we split up the human race amongst itself. We are all Homo sapiens. But that is not enough, because of some discrepancy in skin color I am not like you and you are not like me. So we separate people using the most significant difference, skin color, lights and darks. What, are we doing laundry? But you see it’s not as easy as that. Because among those two groups are others who vary in features (like facial), attributes (like hair color), and even skin color yet again. The whites not white enough? It’s as if we will never be truly happy until everyone around us is labeled, catalogued, and tagged. In Racism: The Most Pernicious of All the "Isms", a sort of timeline was created for the Civil Rights Movement. It chronicled all of the people who unwillingly but full heartedly gave their life for the cause, both men and women, “black” and “white,” like Emmett Louis Till, Medgar Evers, Michael Schwerner, and Viola Gregg Liuzzo. It mentioned iconic people who will, in the minds of all who acknowledge this powerful movement, be remembered till their own life comes to an end, like Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr., and Malcolm X. I also became aware of the fact that racism is an old habit and one quite difficult to rid the world of. Racism wasn’t just saved for the Africans. Many native people, and when I say native I mean Native to the country in which they were discovered on including Africans, experienced the hazard of racism. People, like the Taino and Native American Indians. These people who learned to live humbly and eco-friendly among their environment, using only what they needed. Savages, I think not. Savages are the ones that can’t value human life in any and all of its forms. I can only imagine the type of world we would be living in right now if the European travelers would have adopted the same lifestyle of these people. There would probably be acceptance of the other cultures and less, if no, racism and Global Warming would be to a minimal. Talk about two birds with one stone.

Reflecting on Asili the Journal Blogspot: Emmett Till: The Shaping of a People's Dream.

A strong and moving piece, a compelling read. Until I studied Emmett Till's case, he was but a stranger to me. I was always familiar with Rosa Parks and took the time to truly study and understand Martin Luther King’s contribution to the Civil Rights Movement. This piece encompasses several elements that set apart the movement and expresses the true nature of things in an era that ushered in so many changes.

After watching the film and reading the poem on Emmett Till I have been given a clearer vision of what it was like during the 50s in an America that was intolerant of its colored citizens. I have always felt this cosmic connection to the 50s. To me, it is one of the most powerful eras. So many things were happening at that time. But as I research the Civil Rights Movement I realize just how much was happening. It is unfortunate that any mother would lose their child in that manner, or that any group of people would be left to live under such fearful conditions. But their day came. Emmett’s mother showed great strength to do what she did, to expose the living conditions of the South, especially those being experienced in Mississippi, by revealing to the world the lifeless body that was once her son. Her son may have paid the price of ignorance and hatred, but his death ignited the movement that sparked the emergence of some of the most well known Historical figures of all time. Rosa Parks’ refusal to give up her seat on the bus took place December of 1955, the same year Emmett Till was murdered in cold blood (he died in August of that year). After being arrested for sitting in the seat of her choice, she decided she had had enough of this unjust treatment. And thus from this was born the Montgomery Bus Boycott and what breathed life into the Civil Rights Movement. If Rosa Parks is seen as “the Mother of the Modern-day Civil Rights Movement,” then it is only fair to say that Martin Luther King Jr. at the young age of 26 had become in 1955 the Father of the Modern-day Civil Rights Movement. Elected president of the Montgomery Improvement Association, on the 5th of December he became the official spokesman for the boycott. Wise beyond his years and known for his eloquence, he stepped into the position with a lot of heart and little certainty. But a family isn’t complete without the pitter-patter of little feet. And that role belonged to none other than Emmett Till, the Son of the Modern-day Civil Rights Movement. In August of 1955, Mamie Till wasn’t the only one to lose a son that year. We, as individuals, as a people, and as a nation had lost a son. A son we may never have known existed till word of his untimely death had reached us. A son we were never really there for. A son we hoped to offer the world to. In 1955 an entire group of people had reached their limit and decided that enough was enough. With Emmett Till’s death came the birth of the Civil Rights Movement.

Compare the patterns of Genocide and Ethnic Cleansing in Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur. What insights have you gained from reading about these atrocities?

I grew up in a rather culturally mixed neighborhood. In my neighborhood lived Islanders from different parts of the Caribbean, Latin Americans from Central/South America, African Americans, White or Caucasian Americans, and even Asian Americans. My classroom was one filled with students whose parents were from all over the world. There was always an even gradient of ethnic skin color, not one more powerful than the other, a balance of sorts. I enjoyed living in my neighborhood and attending the school there. I enjoyed the company of most of my classmates regardless where their parents were from. It was a culturally rich environment to grow up in and to learn from. When I read about genocide and ethnic cleansing in Rwanda, Bosnia, and Darfur I was faced with another question “how?” How can anyone let this happen? I couldn’t imagine an act of violence befalling my neighborhood in that manner, being separated from my friends, and possibly from my own family, being discriminated against with such detest. In hopes of some type of feasible answer I turned to my professor and friends alike and posed them this question: How could this happen? Where do people find this drive? This dark, hatred filled, obsession to annihilate a group of people different from their own. How could anyone see this as right and be able to execute a systematic death sentence? I had so many questions about human nature and moral development that my head was spinning just after reading a few articles. The one term that kept coming up was dehumanization. Most of those killings were possible thanks to the dehumanization frame of mind. The groups committing these acts of crimes against humanity don’t see that who they are hurting is indeed someone like themselves, a person. Someone with family and friends, someone who feels and can feel for, someone who laughs and cries just as they do, just as we all do. They don’t see the human they’re torturing, or the pain they’re causing another living being. They just see the differences between them, and that makes the ones being oppressed no better than the dog that gets kicked in the street, or the grass that gets trampled on, an inanimate object to be removed, if not through relocation then through extermination. I grappled with this idea for several days and even held heated discussions with friends on the meaning of it all. What I gained from reading this material and then discussing it with friends is a better insight to myself and what it truly means to be human. My own perspectives have changed drastically from when I was a child. I have come to a more appreciative view of humanity. I know we are not perfect, but life isn’t about perfection. Humans were never meant to live a life based on that concept. Haven’t you ever heard the saying, “Nothing is perfect. Life is messy. Relationships are complex. Outcomes are uncertain. People are irrational,” by Hugh Mackay? In a world where people are irrational, or at the very least not as logical as they may portray to be, how could we ever consider living a perfect life? There is no comparing the atrocities that have taken place in Rwanda, Bosnia, and Darfur. They are equally all horrid events, events that with some time and patience were planned out and executed on a group of unsuspecting victims all because of the differences that defined them. It doesn’t take a creative mind to oppress a group of people, just a methodical one.

Reflect on the Holocaust. What do you think about people who say it didn't happen?

Where do I begin? First, I have long heard about the Holocaust. They taught us this bit of History as part of the curriculum, something that was briefly covered, like historical figures, dates, and a synopsis of the events. But we never truly explored the topic at hand. Maybe this was done to alienate the children even further from subject matter we deemed inappropriate or maybe the wound was still too fresh to further delve into the symbolism of what innocent people, man, woman, and child, had to endure during those times. Whatever the reason, I took it upon myself to truly get into the material and to learn about this stifling part of History. What I gained from it was shock. After watching the film “Night and Fog” all I could think about was “Why?” I couldn’t wrap my brain around it. Why would anyone join a campaign to alienate a group of people? And not only alienate but at some point completely exterminate this group. As I read the material posted on various websites, I became completely consumed by the historical events that had taken place so many years ago. I held discussions with close friends to lighten my burden. Burden, what burden? I didn’t part take in this massacre and I didn’t lose anyone to this massacre. I am not German or Jewish, or even Gypsy for that matter. I wasn’t even a twinkle in my Father’s eye when this world experienced one of the most memorable time periods in History. So why was I so troubled? I was troubled because no matter how much information I acquired about the Holocaust I would never truly understand the mindset behind it. That is what bothered me the most. I couldn’t fathom that people weren’t just looking at Hitler and saying, “Are you out of your mind,” which he clearly must have been, along with the hundreds of other people following him like the children in the story of the pied piper. Hitler’s tune fogged the mind and lured anyone who would stop to listen, overrunning good sense and moral judgment. I know there were a few who were immune to his tune, helping those in trouble as best they could, and they should be commended. Thank you for seeing past the superficial differences and embracing the most powerful similarity, “if you prick us, do we not bleed?” We are essentially the same; unfortunately not many believe this to be true. This brings me to the second thing I would like to address, the validity of the Holocaust. People will always believe in whatever it is they want to believe in. We have conspiracy theorists, alien abductees, ghost hunters, and yes even at this age Santa believers. But to say that the Holocaust never happened, is to say that the Native Americans were never relocated. Their sweat, tears, and blood never stained the “Trail of Tears” they were so cruelly subjected to trek. That African Americans always lived in a society that believed in equality for all men. That they were never segregated, bullied, or even killed because of the color of their skin. To say that the Holocaust never happened, is to say that we are a perfect, open, and accepting race. But what race would that be, the human race? No, we are not like that, as you can see. And if you don’t believe that, then there isn’t much I can do to change your mind. Everyone needs something to believe in, but when your beliefs get in the way of someone else living their life in peace or at the very least the way they choose to live it, then your beliefs have gained power not only over you but over others that don’t quite fit in its equation. You have beliefs, beliefs don’t have you, so don’t let them run your life, for goodness sake they're not your mother.

Do you understand how prejudice happens?

Write a reflection on your reaction to the several articles in “Understanding Prejudices” and the section on Prejudice in “Beliefs, Values and Attitudes”.

A few days ago I expressed my own inclinations to prejudicial behavior. So I am aware of how prejudice happens. To understand the dynamics of it all one must do a little research and a lot of soul searching. Rereading the material on Prejudice in Beliefs, Values, and Attitudes just made me realize how serious of an issue this is. According to the essay, however, we are prejudice towards others (individuals or groups) when we ourselves are members of another group. Supposedly, we don’t choose to be prejudice and if left to our own devices wouldn’t behave in such a manner. What we really strive for is fulfilling the need of being able to affiliate with other people. That’s what drives us to join groups, that connection to others. But once we are initiated into the group we pick up (either on our own or with the aid of other group members) idealisms that create friction amongst our group and people from other groups. On a small scale take a look at school cliques. Usually, the school is comprised of several different groups. For example, the major division happens between the popular kids and the unpopular kids. The popular kids tend to be the jocks and the cheerleaders. The unpopular kids tend to be the nerds and the teacher’s pets. These sets of people connected because they each held similar interests, and that’s fine and dandy. There’s nothing wrong with connecting with someone that you have things in common with. But it is a rare thing to see members of each of these groups mingling with members of the other groups. And if there is interaction, sometimes it’s not for the benefit of all. A jock can exploit his physical stature on a mild mannered nerd to get what he wants, answers to the test, a good research paper, even tutoring. The jock might believe that his standing in the school hierarchy is above all other students. And that the praise from the teachers and the school administrators on his most recent win just confirm his stature in the eyes of the public. This behavior is very similar to that of a prejudging person. On a larger scale this type of behavior can be devastating, and the likes of it have been seen throughout history. Take into consideration the Trail of Tears or the Holocaust. So many people suffered due to perceived differences. In the articles of Understanding Prejudice the focus is taken off of the victims and is placed squarely on the behavior itself. In a way it victimizes the discriminators. Prejudice is seen as a personality disorder, a behavior that the person can’t help but exhibit. However, there are two different types of prejudice: unintentional and intentional. The unintentional prejudice person picks up such behavior from early learning through passive observation of the people in their surroundings, such as family members, peers, sometimes even their community. These people can be heard saying “I am not prejudiced,” and then react in the manner that is considered prejudiced due to what they may have picked up during early learning. The intentional prejudice person is one who has gone through a more active learning process later on in life. These people share certain fundamental personality characteristics, much like people diagnosed with a personality disorder. The prejudice behavior is very much integrated into one’s identity and is seen as a defense mechanism to defend said identity and even the person’s way of life. It is much more difficult to change intentional prejudices. Learning more about prejudice has helped me to learn more about myself. Unintentional as I may have been in my reaction it is still not an acceptable way to live. Thankfully, I have the resources that can aid me in becoming an individual who has multicultural awareness/consciousness.

What are the most important concepts you got out of reading the article "Understanding the Self" (Hamachek)?

And out of the sections on self concept and self-esteem in Transformation: Creating Context, Part I?

Well, after re-reading the section on self concept and self-esteem in the essay Transformation: Creating Context, Part 1 I was able to really grasp the meaning of each term. Although both terms deal with the topic of self, as is evident in the term itself, it is in two different manners. Self concept deals with the way you view yourself. For example, I am a student. I label myself so because I attend Miami Dade College and take classes there regularly. While enrolled in school there are certain responsibilities that I must focus on that further define me as a student, like in-class assignments, homework, research papers, and the like. These are just a few of the things I take into consideration when defining my self concept. If I didn’t attend college and didn’t have academic responsibilities I wouldn’t see myself as a “student,” or at least not one in the conventional sense. Self concepts are just labels we give ourselves based on the type of life we lead. If you’re in a band you may consider yourself a musician. If you are athletic and majorly into sports you may consider yourself a jock. These labels just make it “easier” to define ourselves and each other. Self-esteem on the other hand defines a person’s value, or self worth. How positively or negatively you deem yourself. Continuing on my example, I am an excellent student. The emphasis is on excellent. I deem myself an excellent student because I earn good grades completing assignments, participating in class, and doing well on the examinations. I have a high self worth when it comes to defining me as a student. Like the supposed musician in a band. He may play a few gigs but realize he’s not all that talented and may consider himself to be a crappy musician, a negative view of himself and one that will lend itself to low self-esteem issues. Now, when dealing with the self the key player is yourself, or so you would think. But many other components come into play when arriving at a self concept. In the essay Understanding the Self, it is mentioned that most people find it somewhat difficult to define themselves on their own terms. People would like to think they are able to, and some might even succeed, but the fact is that there isn’t just one way to view who you are. You and the environment around you, be it another person, another species, or even your surrounding area (like your home, a park, or a bus stop), are always in a dynamic state. Always changing, growing, moving and defining you as a person. For example, let me define myself even more, I am an honest person. I don’t believe in taking or keeping something that does not belong to you. Walking around school I notice a few bills falling out of the pocket of the person walking in front of me. I pick up the fallen money. Reasoning suggests that my actions should reflect my honest statement. And they do, I follow the person and hand them what is rightfully theirs. Now, let’s say the situation changes slightly. Instead of seeing the money fall, the money is already on the floor. The area in which I was walking through has cleared up some and it seems who ever dropped it hasn’t seemed to notice that they have. What then? Well, in all honesty, I adhere to a timeless rule of “finders, keepers; losers, weepers.” If there is no one to return the item to, then I stake claim on what is now rightfully mine, the finder. How about lost and found? Well, I used to believe in those till I realized no one ever came back for the items lost and the people who were supposed to be safe guarding them were in fact helping themselves to it. I do the work of finding it, and they get to keep it. I don’t think so. However, depending on the item found, I always try my best to find the rightful owner, especially if the item lost contains any type of contact information, like a phone number or an address. And at times I have even taken it to the lost and found, adhering closely to another rule: if the item left has not been retrieved after 30 days the original person to find said item may be able to claim it as their own. Should I still consider myself an honest person? Do you still consider me one? Self concepts are not written in stone, and self-esteems can fluctuate. What really counts is the person you are at the time because that is when life happens, in the moment. The past may shape you, and the future may lead you, but the present is what makes you.

What strikes you as most important to you as a teacher in reading about Beliefs, Values and Attitudes?

What is the most important thing that you have learned?

When I first began to read the essay, I felt a great disconnect to the writing on the pages. The material was good, but I kept thinking to myself, “What is so important about this information?” What makes it relevant? I was concentrating so hard on answering these one dimensional questions that I didn’t give myself the opportunity to take in all that the essay had to offer. But coming home by bus one day made me realize how truly pertinent this information is to my personal life and as an educator. I was standing on the corner of 183rd street and 27th avenue waiting for the bus when a little boy approached me. Slightly thin and much shorter than me, he seemed to be of elementary school age. Hearing him speak to his mother on my cell phone confirmed that his ethnicity was that of Haitian American. But I’ve gotten ahead of myself. Well, when the young boy first came up to me I was quite skeptical of his intentions. I was standing in the middle of a notoriously bad neighborhood, dressed in formal work attire, and feeling seriously out of place. The little boy had decided to approach me in hopes I had a cell phone he could use. I looked him up and down through squinted eyes and after what seemed like an eternal pause decided to help him out. I took out my phone cautiously and dialed the number for him. I only handed him the phone once I heard a ringing on the other end. Why was I acting so untrustworthy? He was just a little boy. What I came to realize was that even though I understood this fact logically, logically wasn’t how I was seeing him or the situation. Instead of seeing a little boy, I saw a potential threat. And to make matters worse I believe his ethnicity, along with his age, may have played a prejudicial role in how I reacted. I never once considered myself prejudice. That is up until that fateful day waiting for the bus. Till I looked into the eyes of a little boy and instead of feeling nurturing towards him, I felt as if my life were being threatened. I hadn’t meant to judge him in that manner. The media has a way of getting under people’s skin. I don’t watch a lot of news, but what I am able to catch is usually riddled with misbehaving youths and new forms of breaking the law. When I first laid eyes on him I didn’t see a little boy, I saw a young hoodlum in the making. All I could think about was why come up to me? What are your true intentions? When I consciously realized my thought process, two things came to mind: 1) I was completely aghast at how I was thinking and behaving and 2) I realized how easy it is to be prejudice. I also considered how differently I may have reacted if a White or Latin child would have come up to me instead. The media covers all people, but some of the more recent coverage has dealt with unruly youths. And it always seems that the more boisterous groups are usually of African or Haitian American descent. Or maybe that is just what the media wants to portray. However, it gives me no right to see this little boy or any other person of any other ethnicity as a threat. At the beginning I tried to reason that I was just being cautious, but there is a major difference between caution and prejudice. And that is one mistake I am not willing to make again. What I learned from the reading is that our beliefs are created and fortified not only by our experiences, but also by the experiences of others that we choose to internalize. And even though there are some things in this world that we haven’t experienced ourselves firsthand, we hold to be true the accounts of others. It’s easy to be prejudice. The hard part is letting go of all of those irrational thoughts disguising themselves as truth.

Why is Freud's work on the Theory of Personality considered so important even by those who don't agree with him? What do you think about Freud?

I have come across Freud and his work several times and in different college courses. An interesting character, the majority of his work in psychoanalytic psychology is a reaction against the time period in which he found himself in, this time period being the Victorian era. So to truly take away from his work one must see what he brings to the table in an objective manner, or as objective as possible given that some of his ideas are a little radical even to our standards, for example his concept on psychosexual development. This concept roots developmental stages in sex and pleasure. One such stage and the first stage in his theory of development is the oral stage. During the oral stage, which takes place from birth till about 18 months, the infant finds pleasure in nursing making its mouth the erogenous zone. Strange, I know, but that’s not all that sets him apart. He also explores the libido, a basic psychic energy that can be compared to Chi or Parana. Chi is considered by most Eastern systems a vital energy that animates the body. Libido = Chi. Psychology defines libido as a psychic energy; Eastern Religion and the New Age define Chi as the flow of energy. Seemingly different fields of study with different terminology describing the same type of concept, a connection like that just shows you how interconnected our most valuable beliefs are. That is why Freud’s work on the Theory of Personality is considered so important. His ideas all connect to one another and to us. And the ones who don’t agree with him have the material he has helped collect which they can still use to create a more acceptable theory for themselves. Freud’s Theory of Personality is based on what drives us. Freud believes we are driven by sex and aggression, more formally known as Ethos and Thanatos. We are driven by these for simple reasons life and death. When we leave the house to go to school, or work, or just somewhere to hang out we make sure we look our best. Why is that? Simply, because if we look good it is more probable that we will attract a more suitable mate, hopefully, giving us the opportunity to procreate. To give life is one of the things that drive us to go on endless dates in search of Mr. or Ms. Right. Once we have the suitable mate, or maybe even before we find them, aggression will help us to protect the ones we have by our side or to stop the ones trying to meddle in our private affairs. In a nutshell, we are instinctually driven to survive. We are hardwired to live, procreate, and protect what is ours from those who wish to do us harm by attempting to or completely hindering these needs. Personally, I agree with this somewhat primitive and animalistic look into the human psyche.

React to the article: Teaching for Inclusion.

Well, after reading the general strategies for Inclusive Teaching, I found I knew more about the topic than I thought. I also realized why it is so important to create an inclusive environment. Throughout my time in the educational system I have come to experience firsthand what an exclusive teaching environment can feel like. I was a shy child growing up and didn’t opt out for much class participation. Although, some teachers made it very clear that participation would hold a significant portion of the grade. I always felt obligated to participate and it always added unneeded pressure and stress. Instead of focusing on learning the material, I would stress out about what we would have to do in class, in front of everyone. During those classes I realized I never really felt connected to the material and once the material was actually learned it wouldn’t quite stick. My nerves would get the better of me and I wouldn’t remember a thing, I’d blank out. It was unnerving and for a long time I felt I wasn’t academically proficient. I got good grades, but the fact that I would freeze up in front of the entire class would just make me doubt myself, even when the response I was formulating was the correct one. As a future educator, I know I wouldn’t want any of my students to feel that way. That is why it is important to understand the concept of teaching to the individual. Students aren’t cookie cutters of one another or even of the students that came before them. Yes, they may share similarities being students, but that doesn’t mean that they have lost their individuality. Their individuality as a student is based on their personality, their ethnicity, and sometimes even their religious beliefs. Their families have reared them a certain way, and it is your job as an educator to level the playing field because each student will be coming into your class with a set of preconceived notions. Some of these notions may be negative, so it is important to set up ground rules. These ground rules will create a positive atmosphere for the students to be able to discuss certain themes, no matter how controversial. Also, if these ground rules are introduced early in the course, one can go through them with the students for further explanation of each rule and if need be additions can be made to the list. Now, returning to the concept of teaching to the individual. Although, a great concept, there are many pitfalls to look out for when changing your teaching style. Pitfalls that traditional teachers make without knowing the faux pa they are walking into. For example, if the classroom is working on an assignment which looks into the ethnicity of a people and there just so happens to be a student in that class from that ethnicity, the teacher may feel prone to ask the student to answer questions on behalf of his/her people, in turn singling them out. The student may not believe in what his/her people believe in or may feel it too personal a topic to talk about. But the table could easily turn if the teacher decides not to put the student on the spot like that, and instead chooses to ignore the student, even if the student is willing to share his/ her views on the subject. Talk about a double edged sword. By the way, it is also not a good idea to ask the student to be a spokesperson for his/her group, given that they may not feel comfortable with that title. Another pitfall to look out for is one that deals with the teachers personal preferences, like humor. Jokes are a great way to break the ice, but not everyone shares the same taste in humor. Personally, I have a dark sense of humor. But I’m not going to go into my classroom and tell them this joke:
Q: Why was the Egyptian boy confused?
A: Because his daddy was really a mummy.
I find the little joke funny and quite witty, but it’s still inappropriate. This joke maybe thought of as offensive by a student who is homosexual or who has same-sex parents. Unfortunately, many teachers don’t see where the harm lies when making light of a specific situation or sharing a giggle at the expense of others. I have heard my share of offensive jokes in a classroom setting, whether it was shared by the teacher or even amongst the students themselves. As you can see, creating an effective inclusive teaching environment will make you look at your teaching style a little more closely. And unfortunately, isn’t something that can be put into effect immediately. It takes time, hard work, and dedication to the cause, the cause being one that will bring the students and teacher closer together to create a community within the classroom walls.

Read the article Transformation: Awareness and Consciousness. React to this essay.

First, I’d like to commend you Prof. McNair on an essay well written. I found this article one of the most enlightening and entertaining, so much so, that I took the time to share this essay, or parts of it, with my family. I particularly enjoyed the physics aspect of it all in the quanta segment. Second, there were a lot of interesting takes on the definition of awareness and consciousness. In the awareness section of the essay I found myself relating to Zetty’s definition of awareness. There have been a few times in my life where I have encountered that timeless and euphoric feeling. The feeling that everything in the universe is as it should be, “absolutely complete and perfect.” But for me it’s always fleeting. I stumble upon this epiphany, and as soon as I can make sense of it, once again I’m left in a little pit of unease and filled with even more questions than before. What I want to know is how can I keep that feeling with me longer, if not for the rest of my life? With me, it occurs in the most random of times. I may be riding the bus and looking out the window watching the world as it goes by. And suddenly I am filled with an unmistakable sense of peace and euphoria. Somehow, in my mind I know that where I am is where I’m supposed to be, along with everyone else on the planet. The feeling is one of a cosmic connection to everything. This brings me to Chopra’s vision of being one with the environment. We mistake space and boundaries for the beginning and ending of things. But Chopra doesn’t believe that is the case at all. For even when we are sitting outside, alone, and seemingly isolated when we breathe in, we are breathing in atoms that were once exhaled by someone or something else. We are connected to our environment and to each other on a molecular level, and we can’t even see it. The section on consciousness was also very informative. I hadn’t realized there were so many levels of consciousness. I did however know that awareness and consciousness were two very different terms, barer of two completely different meanings. Consciousness is more of a quality of the mind or a mental state. With this notion I agree. To explain the conscious state of mind Wilson’s eight levels of consciousness were discussed. One segment of the essay that had me seeing ZZZs. But not because of my lack of interest on the subject, instead because of the topic of sleep that was being discussed. I figured to grasp the concept more readily I’d do a little research of my own on REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep.

How does the way your parents socialized you to understand your social class differ from the way the popular media does?

How about your understanding of your gender? How about your understanding of sexual relations?

According to the popular media, I am considered to be a middle class citizen. I live in an okay neighborhood close to a few public schools, a shopping center, and notable bus stops with actual benches to sit on and all. My income barely lasts me the week and if I weren’t living with my mother and sister would probably be living in poverty. Thankfully, my mother makes enough to take care of all of us. If we (my sister and I) weren’t around she’d probably be living it up in high class. To my mother, if she ever reads this: Thanks for not kicking us out of the nest! Social class is mainly based on total net worth in the popular media. Total net worth is pretty much what you are worth, monetarily speaking. If your credit is bad, if you live paycheck-to-paycheck, if you don’t own property you are considered to be a part of the lower or middle class, depending on the severity of your situation. But even though we aren’t at our optimum financial state, I never felt like I was missing out on anything. My family taught me true worth doesn’t lie in what you have, but instead in what you can give. If at any one point in your life you are able to give freely without wondering how it will affect you, then you can rest assure that you have all you need, no more no less. That is how my parents socialized me to understand my social class. If you ask me, I’m wealthier than most and almost always willing to give. I come from a Hispanic family. Hispanics are very strict when it comes to gender roles. When I was growing up, my father would jokingly suggest that my job as his daughter was to do laundry and specifically to wash his socks. I never did, and didn’t really understand why he couldn’t just do it himself. But as I take a look back, I realize that to some extent he did expect me to take the socks from him and to wash them. As a female of the household I was expected to learn these menial tasks. I never was much for domestic chores. Although, as I grew older these expectations made more sense when explained this way: Diana, you should learn to do laundry, cook, and clean properly if you hope to live on your own comfortably. You don’t want to depend on any one to do those things for you, whether it’s your boyfriend or a housekeeper. That gave much more meaning to household chores. The media’s take on gender roles has changed much since women began fighting for their rights, although there are times I wonder if that’s even true. I have a few sexist pigs as friends (males obviously) that there are times I want to clobber. Sexuality was always discussed openly amongst my family. Before my sister arrived I was given a book to read that explained “Where Did I Come From,” which is also the title of the book. After I read it my parents answered any questions I may have had. I have always been an objective observer of sexuality. I am most intrigued by it, but not on a lustful level. Sexuality, although uncomfortable for most, is not a topic to be ashamed of or to be considered taboo. And that is how my parents raised me to believe, although, my father was a little hesitant when speaking of such subjects with me. One thing I noticed, however, is that I was much more tolerant of sexual lifestyles other than my own, me being a heterosexual. I remember one heated discussion with my father when I told him I believed that everyone should be able to express without fear or remorse whom they loved be it opposite or same sex. The media however has exploited sex into a phrase very popular now, “sex sells.” Issues on sexual relations are everywhere, which star has a new porn video out, which two actors are sleeping together, even television programming has gotten quite steamy. I was taught sexual relations are intimate and should only be shared with the one whom you are being intimate with. I owe both my parents a million thanks for raising me the way they did, a balanced, open-minded individual. Through their lessons, and their mistakes, I have learned to be a better person.

Reflecting on Asili the Journal Blogspot: Raindrops, True Love, A Casual Look, Jamesetta on My Mind, and The Blues Had a Baby

Raindrops
One of my favorite pieces out of the five read. It’s short, simple, and sincere. The piece deals with gender roles in this society, and more specifically man grief. An ailment many men suffer from, but must not speak about. In this piece, man grief is expressed as an act of natural disaster, something Mother Nature concocted to keep men from loosing face. Men don’t cry, but instead water the earth with the raindrops that fall from their eyes. A phrase made popular by Dee Clark’s song Raindrops. A song I am very fond of. In the song, Dee Clark sings that a man isn’t supposed to cry, a belief that many hold true throughout all types of cultural backgrounds. So what’s falling from his eyes aren’t tears, but instead raindrops. The piece supports this idea by comparing the intensity of the emotions a man feels to the act of a natural disaster, like a flood. A flood created by the “unceasing torrent of raindrops falling from” his eyes, a flood so powerful that if caught in the down pour you run the risk of drowning in it. A powerful piece, I thoroughly enjoyed it, and the music playing in the background.

True Love
An interesting piece and one I agree with. There is no love in a doo-wop song. There is only the remnant of an emotion once felt. When you first listen to a doo-wop song, or any song for that matter, that deals with the topic of love you must take into consideration (which many don’t) that the song is one filled with biased opinions and ideas of what constitutes love for them, the artist. An impressionable youth will take in all that the song has to offer, and convert it into a lens that will forever taint the way they see the world around them, especially, if they don’t have any one to turn to for clarification. This piece touches upon the topic of paradigms and frames, and how we see and interpret the world around us. What someone may consider to be true love, another may consider it to be an obsession. How many women stay in long term relationships with men that abuse them, all in the name of true love? Believing with every blow that grazes her cheek that this must be true love; that he acts this way because he really loves her; that it’s just the way he shows her that he cares. Songs just offer one glimpse, out of the many, on what true love is all about. And although we can find some comfort in their words, we should not let ourselves rely solely on their take of love.

A Casual Look
A concept I understand now, with age. But something I had no interest in as an adolescent. A Casual Look is a piece I can relate to now, having partaken in it and witnessed it amongst others. An act so simple, but bearing so much more than a causality to it. As adolescents we don’t realize the weight in our gaze. It is much more than a look. It offers a frank look into the eyes of someone who adores you, who pleas with you, who can see a future with you. I have come to realize that there is no such thing as a causal look, unless it’s a quick gaze into the face of someone you couldn’t help look at, whether it was there good looks that attracted you to them or not. A casual look amongst interested parties loses all casual feel to it. Like when you are across the room, and feel an odd sensation, a sort of tension running through your body, and when you look into the direction of that feeling you realize someone casually looking in your direction. There is nothing left to do but look back, and through that look express what it is that you are feeling. Discomfort will make you shift in your seat, and probably move. Interest will open you up, and make you turn to face your suitor, like a flower turning to face the sun, open, ready, and willing. Where this look will take you only time will tell. But only children start off with an innocent gaze. As we age, so does our gaze, and when a casual look is exchanged, well, like the song says “it can reveal just what you think.”

Jamesetta on My Mind
Wow. Definitely my second favorite out of the five read. At first this piece gives way to the feel that it was written primarily for and about Jamesetta (a wonderful singer and one I am looking forward to listening to again). Starting with feelings the author felt for the singer. Ah, to be young and infatuated. To learn of love through harmonious melodies from a voice that could melt the coldest of hearts. I remember being young and infatuated once. The feeling is sweet and indescribable, to feel a connection to this person without being connected in any way. That is why women read romance novels, and why ballads will never go out of style. These stories and songs create with their words an almost attainable future. To find true love at last, to see that happy endings do come true, that is the true allure of love. That is why we throw care to the wind time and time again, and why we never quite understand how something that started so sweet can turn so bitter. We let ourselves be swept up into their words and let their vision of love keep us in an enamored state, never once thinking realistically for a moment if this will work out. And then when it comes to an end, how can everything we read in books and heard on the radio about love be wrong? Did these creators of a perfect love lie to us? Or was it just an error on their behalf, they are human after all. When the love dies who is there to pick up the pieces? The stories and songs don’t explain that part of a relationship. Instead they move on, and create another picturesque look on love. All the while hooking us again to believe in the true power of love, a vicious cycle, and one that is necessary. For devoid of it I don’t think any one of us could move on without the ebb and flow of a rhythmic dose of hope and self-forgiveness.

The Blues Had a Baby
Read like a prose. I enjoyed it and the music very much, but with a title like The Blues Had a Baby that is just to be expected. Reading about the author’s own experience in love and growing up, made me realize how truly inexperienced I am. Most adolescents go through that phase, some at a much younger age and late bloomers soon after. But around that age I couldn’t even fathom such emotions. Growing up, I was always very blah about love, boys, and romance. I only ever had time for school, friends, and family. I figured it was a waste of time to be in a relationship at such a young age with no prospect of marriage. I always had one reason or another to push aside budding romances, and never really knew how to deal with someone when a situation would arise. I now realize that I had it all wrong. Being in a relationship with someone, especially at such a young age, isn’t necessarily just about love or romance. We are taking what we see and applying it with someone we cherish (even if it’s just at that moment). It is a wonderful way to learn life lessons not available through helpful words of advice, or taught at school, or even written in self-help books. Moments like those experienced during the first kiss are invaluable to the growth of each individual, like its own rite of passage. And one I unfortunately never traversed. Benched, like a player whom no one really believes can make the play, I now sit on the sidelines waiting for someone to call me into the game once again. To believe in me to make the winning play, but who am I waiting for? The man of my dreams, my future husband, or a guy who is willing to play the game right alongside me, cheering me on and believing in me to play the game fairly, honest, and with a little sportsmanship. Now, I really do wish I was a little more interested in boys while growing up.

Why are rites of passages important? What is the relationship of rites of passage to formal education?

Discuss Facing Mt Kenya, Sitting Quietly and the Sambia.

The rites of passage are an important marker in one’s life. Rites of passages are important because they usher in the new chapter in a person’s life. Mind you, no matter what, the person will always hit these markers in their life, from childhood to adulthood, from single to married, from conception to birth. These defining moments in person’s life will occur with or without the aid of these rites. But these ceremonies and rituals offer so much more than a celebration of the ever changing human life, it offers a time to learn and bond with those that have already traversed the threshold of a new beginning. That is what makes these rites of passage so important, at least in the articles that I read. This marker, going from childhood to adulthood, in a young person’s life isn’t being experienced alone. The youth isn’t isolated and left to grow up all by themselves. Instead their experience is shared with others like them that are going through the same changes, with others who have already undergone these changes, with family and friends and even neighbors. Their experiences are being shared with by the entire village, creating a strong bond between them (the initiates) and the community itself. In Facing Mt Kenya the biggest topic and hot button issue was the clitoridectomy. Clitoridectomy is the circumcision of a female. Now, I do not know all the details of a clitoridectomy. I don’t know if it has any detrimental lifelong effects (other than the difficulties that arise if the wound isn’t properly taken care of - mentioned in the article). But I do know that both the girls and boys from the Gikuyu tribe are circumcised. This custom is known as irua. This rite of passage is done to symbolize the youths’ movement from childhood to adulthood. I have read this article before and knew exactly what to expect. I stand firmly by my reactions of the first time I read the article. It is their custom, their belief, their religion. To ask them to stop this ceremony is to ask them to push aside all their belief systems and to render their way of living and their history obsolete. I understand the initiation of these girls is a little unnerving, but I am also aware of other tribes that have a much worse ritual of initiation; it can almost be considered torture. Those tribes are the ones whom the missionaries should first address with their concerns. Some methods used are crude and unseemly, such as the sewing of the vaginal lips together till the young woman is ready for marriage. Talk about a permanent chastity belt. In Sitting Quietly, the boys undergo the rites of passage separately from the girls. The boys attend a more formal institution for learning called the Poro Bush School. Now, the details of what occur in the school are shrouded in mystery because once they are done with their education there they are not allowed to speak of the going-ons in the Bush School. They are kept there for four years and are only visited by other males of the Kpelle tribe. It is a world of men, and the only woman to have access to this world is the head of the women’s Sande Society, a woman in the article named Noai. In this school the boys will learn to be men and will be trained by the men of the Kpelle tribe. They will learn the duties that must be carried out as an adult and how to relate to the opposite sex. The people of the article The Sambia have a similar approach in their rites of passage. They separate the boys from the girls. The boys are taken to a men’s house in the village and are kept there for about 10 years. This is where the boys will learn of the ritual secrets of the Sambian culture. One of these rituals is the filling of the male tingu, which is believed to be shriveled and dry from birth. The tingu is an internal organ that secretes sexual substance. For us, the scientifically savvy if not at least a little knowledgeable in anatomy, know that what they are talking about is the production of sperm and semen in the testes. But why would they think the tingu is shriveled and dry? And how do they make this assessment? Now, what the Sambia men do to rectify this ailment is a little unsettling. The boys, at first, are practically forced into fellatio relations with other older boys. For those not familiar with the term fellatio, it means oral stimulation of the penis. The Sambian culture believes that if the boys drink from the semen of older Sambia males that their tingu will fill and swell to the appropriate size needed to be considered a true man, and one that will bring forth an offspring. The Sambia are all about sexual reproduction. The effects of this rite of passage have been somewhat alarming and not at all what one would expect. The boys are brought up homosexually once they leave the homes of their mothers. Go through a period of bisexuality as young men, taking a wife and keeping a young boy on the side for fun. And finally come into heterosexuality as older men, only having relations with their wives. This custom is accepted by all and the males of this tribe move compliantly through the stages till they are left to live out their lives as a heterosexual. The relationship between the rites of passage and formal education lies in the purpose of both. During the rites of passage vital information, knowledge, and beliefs are being passed to the next generation. They are being prepared for the big changes their life will undergo. Formal education offers the same thing, preparation, but preparation for what? The American culture is all over the place. No matter how much we would like to be seen as one nation under God, the fact is that there are too many little discrepancies that tear the fabric of this nation. What we hoped to achieve with formal education in the United States was to offer a common base of knowledge to all. And by golly we’re trying. But with so many immigrants coming into this country, it’s getting increasingly more difficult to create a common base of knowledge. Official documents now come in three or four languages, communities are becoming more multicultural, and lifestyles are changing radically. For these small tribes, it is easy to teach the new generation of who they are, where they come from, and where they will go. But in a place pieced together from all sorts of cultural fabrics, how do we know what one specific tradition, custom, or ritual to instill in our future generations?

What new insights have you gained about culture and intercultural competence?

The essay Culture: What It Is had much information to impart, but maybe too much. It took me quite a few hours to get through the entire essay. Not because I couldn’t understand it, but instead because I had to find other ways to keep myself entertained (and awake) while I read it. But when I finally got through it I was more than pleased, I was enlightened. The essay expresses much more information on culture than I have ever been exposed to. Like multiple definitions of the word culture and the different time periods in which it emerged, a closer look at the properties that define culture, and even the positive and negative effects of cultural changes. I learned that it is going to take a lot more than a sweet face and soothing gestures to be able to communicate with others not a part of my own culture. There are a lot of different cultural aspects to take into consideration when trying to communicate with someone. I am definitely willing to become more inter-culturally competent. In Transformation: Creating Context, Part 2, a much more concise essay of intercultural acceptance and communication, I was able to see how truly unprepared I am to handle diversity. Well, maybe not unprepared, but I do need a little more work in this area of my life. I enjoyed this essay slightly more; it shared many anecdotes of cultural differences and made me think how I would have reacted if faced with the same situation. Before reading this article, I believed all I needed was to be open and attentive, and my good intentions would take me the rest of the way. But, no, that just will not do. I need to become even more culturally aware, maybe even undergo a little diversity training. Even with all my good intentions, if I so much as make an incorrect hand gesture I am liable to insult rather than to welcome. And since there are so many different cultures, especially here in the United States, one has to take into consideration that several characteristics that may be normal to you, might be completely abnormal to someone who doesn’t share your same cultural views. When communicating we have to be fully aware of our appearance, of our body movements, of our facial expressions, of our eye contact, and many other little things that we would never have taken notice of when communicating with a loved one or a friend. Unfortunately, not everyone is as open minded as I am about the cultures of others. Some decided that these differences are a reason for hatred and violence. I know these feelings spawn from the fact that we fear those things we do not understand, but I think it’s time we moved out of our comfort zone and into the world to greet our neighbors. Maybe, we should all enroll in diversity training.

How would you have liked to be one of the "Little Rock Nine?"

How do you think you would have reacted to the fact that you needed armed guards to enter school? How would you have reacted to the shouts and slurs of those on the streets who didn't want to see you in that building?

The courage the “Little Rock Nine” students displayed is unfathomable. I don’t think I would have had that type of courage. If, for whatever reason, I was found in their shoes I wouldn’t have liked to be a part of that courageous group of students. I am a very passive person, and will at all cost remain in a passive environment. The hostility those students must have faced, and for an entire school year, is not something I would have willingly put myself through. It is obvious they believed in the cause they were standing up for. But for goodness sake they had to be escorted by armed guards! That is no environment for a student, let alone an adolescent. Going to school for these students was more like an act of war, than just going somewhere to learn the ABCs of life. If I had to be escorted by armed guards my initial reaction would be, “Did I do something wrong?” Why am I being treated as if I am the one who is going to commit a crime? I imagine that this is the way a criminal must feel when being escorted to prison. My second reaction would be one undoubtedly of fear and unease. I am just another student looking to get an education, why would anyone want to cause me harm? I am being escorted, not because of what I might do to others, but instead because of what the others might do to me. I couldn’t function well in such a negative environment. I don’t tend to overstay my welcome where I’m not welcomed. I wasn’t really picked on in school, but when someone dared to challenge my good nature and laid back persona, I didn’t just sit there and take it. Like I said I will protect my passive environment at all cost, even if that cost can get me suspended. I wasn’t much of a fighter in high school, so I can’t say that I would have even given this option a second glance. Why choose to go to school in a place where it’s obvious no one wants you, when you can attend a school where you will be welcomed and accepted. And as far as the behavior of those people against the “Little Rock Nine” well, there are very few things that bother me. I am a very reasonable, grounded person. But one thing I will not tolerate is disrespect and offensive behavior from anyone. I don’t treat anyone like that, so no one has the right to treat me in that manner. Whether I would have lashed out or turned the other cheek, I’m not completely sure about. If pushed too hard, or cornered, well then there is only one thing left to say “live, and let live.”

What experiences have you had that might lead you to say that you are well-prepared for diversity? In what areas do you feel well-prepared?

Well, in the classroom I have very little, if any experience, with diversity. The class I volunteered with had an array of students all with very different backgrounds. But the maximum exposure I got with them was barely 15 hours. Now, that isn’t to say that I don’t believe I am well-prepared for diversity. On the contrary, I feel quite at ease when dealing with cultural diversity. See, currently I work for a bookstore in which we have clients come in from all over the world. Our location is optimal for coming in contact with many people from all walks of life. From South America, to Africa, to Europe, and occasionally Asia, dealing with cultural diversity is something I am faced with when I show up for work every day. I feel that I am well-prepared for diversity because I have learned to offer the best customer service possible when dealing with natives, non-natives, visitors from other countries, and even the disabled. Every day I work I come across someone whose background is severely different from mine. I make sure always to stay open-minded and respectful when dealing with cultural diversity. All cultures have their own set of norms, but there are unwritten rules that the human race abides by that transcend culture. If I come across a customer that does not speak English, but speaks Spanish instead, then I offer them customer service in Spanish. It really helps to be bilingual. If they speak another language I am not familiar with then I go slower to see if I can understand them, and they I. Sometimes, I am even able to find them someone who can speak their language. It’s all about establishing clear communication and being on the same page. And that is what I hope to bring to my class. Communication is very important, especially when we are all so diverse. I feel that communication is the area I am most well-prepared for, because I do it practically on a daily basis. Although, communication will obviously be different for everyone because of our backgrounds, that doesn’t mean that it’s impossible. We are all capable of understanding one another, even if we don’t speak the same language, if we just take the time to truly listen and observe the other person communicating their message a mutual understanding will arise. The spoken word didn’t always exist. One can communicate volumes just by their body language. Remember the old adage “actions speak louder than words.”

What are paradigms? What is a paradigm shift? Have you had one? Why is it important for teachers to experience paradigm change?

A paradigm is the “lens” through which you view the world. They are like invisible glasses. Everything that you see through them is tainted with your beliefs, ideals, and experiences. Paradigms let you see the world as only you would be able to, representing your reality in a way that is understood by you. A paradigm shift arises when a person is no longer happy with or has changed the way they see themselves, others, or situations. During a paradigm shift you are taking your old lenses, or invisible glasses, and having the prescription changed. You no longer see the world through that paradigm, and decide it is time for a fresh look. You are shifting the way you see the world, and creating another lens in which to look through that better fulfills your needs. Fortunately, I can truly appreciate the assigned reading because I am currently going through a paradigm shift myself. I wasn’t necessarily unhappy with my life, but I grew restless with my existence. There are so many things I pictured for myself and began to think, “What am I waiting for?” I came to the understanding that all of my dreams weren’t going to magically happen, that if there is something I wanted I would need to go out there and get it. I want to create a healthier, more positive self image, I want to be financially stable, and I want to live a more creative life. I want all those things and more. Does that make me greedy? No, because I know that to achieve all of those things it is going to take me a lot of time and dedication. But that is a reasonable price to pay when learning to live the life I have always wanted to lead. When reading the portion on the personal paradigm shift, I was fully aware of what was being discussed. I saw myself in those passages. This strengthened the belief I have in myself to change, and made it all the more clear that this change will happen for me. As a teacher, this paradigm change is very important because you need to be able to see the broader scope of things, even if that means changing your own lenses every once in a while. And through your own ability of being able to see the big picture, students, especially the young ones, will want to share in your vision of the world. Students, I believe, go through the most paradigm shifts of all the people that make up this world. Every day they learn something new that adds or changes the way they see the world. As a teacher, we must understand the way their paradigms function. Knowing how our students envision the world is an extremely important skill to have. Being able to understand what they see can help us better understand how to teach them.

Read “Transformation: A Beginning” and “Transformation: Creating Context, Part 1.” React to the two articles.

Well, obviously, both articles have the same header, making them part of the same topic, Transformation. In the first article, A Beginning, we are introduced to the terminology transformation. I never realized how many other terms fall into the same category, like renovation, alteration, and even revolution. Transformations are a part of life like I wasn’t aware of; at least I wasn’t really aware of it on a cognitive level. To make the topic even more concrete the life of a butterfly is introduced into the essay, a great and magnificent homage to the term transformation itself. The caterpillar isolates itself in a chrysalis, only to emerge from it weeks later as a completely different entity. It’s funny that an article like this would be assigned for me to read, like an unspoken prayer being answered. Recently, I have been looking to do something with my life, to reinvent myself completely. Last week, I made the conscious decision to become an educator and to specialize in art education. But I don’t just want to teach art, I want to live art. I am at a point in my life where I need to undergo some personal transformations of my own. In my mind’s eye I am far from where I need to be, physically, intellectually, and artistically. I am ready to leave my caterpillar state and to emerge from my chrysalis a glorious butterfly. Unfortunately, I can’t just drop everything I’m doing to cocoon myself in my room while I undergo changes, maybe not as severe as liquefaction, but something just as messy. For change may not always be easy, but it is most necessary, how else do you think we got to where we are now? In the second article, Creating Context Part 1, it continues with the topic of transformation and goes specifically into reinventing ourselves. Self esteem, a somewhat sensitive topic for some, is addressed in the article. How we see ourselves is much more important than how others see us. No amount of flattery can ever undo a negative self concept that has been engraved into our very being. As educators, especially of young impressionable children, we must strive to create a constructive atmosphere, one that will encourage positive self concepts. Because when the students are confidant and secure within themselves, the capacity to accept and embrace differences among other students is made all the more easier. And then my brain made the connection. From the first article, I read the story of a homophobic man. He underwent a transformation as well, and may now be a better person for it. But to change he had to look into himself for the answer of why he was homophobic and against homosexuality all together. It took time, patience, and effort, but he came to terms with all of it, including himself. He came to accept and tolerate people with a lifestyle much different than his own. Finding that he could be respectful and compassionate towards homosexuals, because in the end we all share one very important trait, we are all people. The classroom is the best place for a student to learn acceptance, tolerance, and compassion. From the very beginning they will be exposed to students and teachers from all walks of life. It is our job, as educators, to make these interactions positive ones, because not only do we teach them their ABCs, but we also teach them how to interact with others. A little something educators often forget, but still manage to pass on.

What insights have you gained from your reading of the prehistoric human use of fire, the invention of the wheel and the history of writing?

From reading The Use of Fire I have gained a very unique insight on one of the many possibilities of human evolution. It is obvious that at some point we as a race found a way to nurture and control the use of fire. Prehistoric humans used fire much like we use it today, to cook, to see, and at times to defend ourselves. Most of us can agree on that, but can we agree on when it stopped being a natural phenomenon and became a household tool? Well, that’s a little more complicated. However, an interesting theory arose. Homo erectus is the species closely related to humans so much that if one were walking around in modern times (not to mention fully clothed) not many would be able to tell the difference between Homo sapiens and Homo erectus. Now, in this theory the emergence of Homo erectus is one attributed to the cooking hypothesis. It is believed that cooking prehistoric food brought about monumental changes in the human evolution. Cooking the food made it easier to chew and digest. Changing the way the Australopithecine ate had a domino effect and in turn changed the way they looked. The gut became smaller since the food was now much easier to digest, and the teeth became smaller as large teeth were no longer needed to pulverize prehistoric meals. The insights I gained from The Invention of the Wheel are few and simple. Although the wheel is probably one of the most important inventions of the human race, I wasn’t too enthralled by the article. The history of the development of the wheel, although somewhat informative, wasn’t really based on artifacts or images left behind by prehistoric humans. It was very speculative. I understand when dealing with the past sometimes your imagination is all you have to go off of, but the birth of the wheel (and possibly the cart) was told in a somewhat dry manner. Maybe I’m just not into cars, even the prehistoric types. And finally, in The History of Writing I was able to refresh the insights I had all but forgotten. The written language is an amazing thing. Born out of necessity, taught to the fortunate, and spread to the world, the birth of true communication can be seen through the written language. Writing was created to be able to keep track of one’s own property, and then it was used to keep track of history, and now its use has endless possibilities. Through writing we share anecdotes, information, announcements, etc. To think, it all started with small tokens. As a pre-teaching intern, I am asked to read this kind of material because it is important to have a solid base of knowledge. To educate others we must know and understand the origins of education itself. The only reason we have reached these heights as a civilization is because of the pioneers before us. Coming into our own, we learned cooked meat is better for us than raw meat, transportation is crucial, and keeping a written record of all things is one way to stay organized.

Bio and Statement of Purpose

It is I, Diana Lopez. I am a student in search of her true calling. And that calling is becoming a teacher. Or so I think. I am 24 years old going on 25 in October 29. As I study and work hard towards what I believe to be a promising future, I stop to think if that is really the case. I have been through two Education based courses, EDF 1005 – Introduction to Education, and EME 2040 – Introduction to Educational Technology. As I make my way deeper into the career of my choice, I can’t help but wonder if I am in the right field. Several of my peers, some from as early on as Elementary school have gone off to become teachers. I have met several teachers throughout my time working at a bookstore. Some always have encouraging words, some don’t, but all have something to say about the life of a teacher. I have taken all those words of wisdom into consideration and now question if this is indeed the path best suited for me. Certain teachers would love nothing more than to help an aspiring teacher, other teachers speak only negative things about the economy, program cut backs, and sometimes other teachers. When I finish with my degree will I have a school to call my own? With so many economic changes what is to be expected when I finally graduate? But I must not let these negativities be the thing that deters me from a career in education. Instead I must look at all the information and make a decision based on facts. But there is another key factor in the decision making process, and that is my heart. My heart plays a vital role in becoming an educator because I must feel that this is indeed my true calling. And no matter how the odds are stacked I must believe that I will become an educator. I must believe it, not just for myself, but for the sake of my future students. It is for them that I must decide whole-heartedly. Because our future deserves better than a half-assed decision. I’m sure I’m not supposed to curse like that, becoming an educator and all, but sometimes we must use unorthodox methods to achieve a certain meaning. And that word fit the bill just right. As I sit here writing this, my mind is made up, I choose to become an Art Educator. I choose this because a life without Art is like a life without History. How do we know where we are going, if we don’t know where we have been? Art is the visual depiction of our History. Without it, the story of who we are will be based on a mere tale waiting to be told.

What have you learned in this class? What is your most valuable experience?

First, I’d like to mention that the entire experience was a valuable one. This class has opened my eyes to a world of possibilities I had no idea of. Second, what I’m walking away with from this class is a comprehensive understanding of the different lesson plans, like the Behaviorist Lesson Plan and the Constructivist Lesson Plan. Actually, creating a Lesson Plan was fun, but challenging. The most straight forward Lesson Plan was the Behaviorist Lesson Plan, and I kind of liked it like that. It was neat and organized, and right to the point. The Constructivist Lesson Plan was a little too broad for me and asked for specifics in the most odd of categories, like the grouping of students and materials. I also learned a lot about learning methods, like Inquiry-Based Learning and Cooperative/Collaborative Learning. Inquiry-Based Learning is based on the students own motivation to be inquisitive. While Cooperative/Collaborative Learning is based on the students need to interact in groups and to work together as a team. I learned that even though there are different types of lesson plans and learning methods going on, that one doesn’t just have to stick to the book at all times of the learning process. It will actually benefit the students more if these elements are mixed and matched and used appropriately when dealing with specific learning outcomes. They all have their place, and one is in no way better than the other. It all depends on how effectively they are used. I learned what a large role technology plays in the educational system now. I still remember when it was all done by hand, turning in a hard copy of the assignment, getting it graded, working with a group of your peers in the same classroom. Now, with the Telecollaborative lessons students work together in groups via the internet. The students are grouped online and work together using e-mails, chat rooms, instant messaging, from all around the country, and even the world. And I thought it was cool when two different classrooms merged together for a group activity. I learned how to really put myself out there, through blogs and digital stories, and how to network using the World Wide Web. LiveText was a great tool and worth every penny. My blog, Becoming a Teacher Is Hard Work, is based on all of my Reflections and is a great way to share with everyone my experiences in learning to become a teacher. It’s also chock full of tasty morsels of information. Like I said, the overall experience in my EME 2040 class has been a valuable one. I learned so many traditional aspects of becoming a teacher, like lesson planning, to some not-so-traditional aspects, like teaching a class online or creating and organizing my grade book. I go out into the world today a little more prepared for my duties as an educator and a little more technologically savvy.