last blog!

so, it's the end of the marking period. and this is my last blog! (:[) It's been really nice being in the lab the last few weeks. I've liked it. blogging's been something new and different for me. i'm not really looking forward to going back to the class, especially in the nice weather, but i'll deal. blogging's been cool though.
i like that our whole class does it together, and during class. the topics for the most part have been pretty interesting. commenting on other peoples' blogs, and all having responses was fun. i found it interesting to see different ideas and responses to things that i had also voiced my opinions about as well. i feel like we all were able to learn a little bit more about each other, and overall, blogging's been fun. it's been a nice change in pace, and been a cool alternate to traditional classroom settings.
Since the world of internet and online communication has a tremendously growing impact on journalism, i think this has been an important part of this course. It has opened us to a new form of writing, responding, and learning.
blogging's been fun! i'm gonna miss being in the lab.

final days of blogging?

one of the last days of blogging?

i'm really dreading going back to the classroom. the lab's waaay better in my opinion. class is much better and more fun blogging than in the class.
boo. i'm not looking forward to it. especially since it's getting warmer outside and i'm getting antsy!

chewing cocoa leaves

"Mistakes are an unavoidable part of human history, but sometimes we have the opportunity to correct them. It is time for the international community to reverse its misguided policy toward the coca leaf."

this is a quote taken from the article written about the abolishment of the cocoa leaf as a legal substance. In 1961, the United Nations Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs placed the coca leaf in the same category with cocaine, and beginning the 25 year date in which this leaf will be considered illegal.

However, since this meeting was held, much controversy has spurred about the tradition of chewing cocoa leaves (especially those with Bolivian ethnic backgrounds, who have been practicing this as a cultural identity and common practice) who will soon be persecuted for traditon and beliefs.

Our country, which has dubbed itself "the melting pot" of people must consider more than just the cocoa leaf itself. By illegalizing its use, the country is making a much broader, and more complex statement. It is, in a way, disregarding a tradition of an entire culture. Just as the ongoing debate with other drugs (marijuana, for example), is an issue that runs deeper than the leaf, or the abolishment of its use itself.

It must take into account the people, and find a level of respect for everyone's opinions, beliefs, and traditions in making this decision. It is true that, almost with every law it makes, a country will face people who do not agree or support it. However, when it is an entire race or ethnicity feels as though it is going against their beliefs and ways, it may demand special attention in making this call.

Our country, with its stress on individuality, acceptance of all peoples, and ideology that freedom to practice own beliefs must also make its decisions with this in mind...

just my thoughts...

voilence and women

The issue steming from the Chris Brown/ Rihanna incident (in which Chris Brown brutally beat and severely injured girlfriend, Rihanna during a heated argument while the couple was driving, just a few hours before the grammys) is not about the media, or celebrities, or really, about Chris Brown and Rihanna.
It's more a representation of the social problem of violence towards women/ abusive relationships. Since this is a famous couple- one which most of America is aware of, it was blown up by the media. However, this is a very common issue- one which occurs on a daily basis. According to the article, 5.3 million women are abused annually in the United States. This is a reocurring issue that we have not, to this day, found a solution for. It's an ongoing struggle which seems to affect tremendous amounts of individuals.

The article stated that this was not the first lashing out of Chris Brown or reported abuse/ physical fight the couple had had. As someone not directly involved in the situation, we ask "why?" why, especially if this is a repeated occurence for a girl in a relationship, would she stay with this person and put up with the abuse? But it also is a question that we can't answer, especially when we are uninvolved.

Girls in these kind of relationships many times do not even see that this physical, emotional, or mental abuse is occuring, or do not see the scale of it. They are in too deep, feel optionless, or too weak to be able to come out of it.

Abusive relationships seem to be something our society is aware of, and as a whole, is something we struggle against. However, it's an issue that also seems to be perpetual. Though we may feel like we have made progress against it by creating a prevention movement and educating the public about it, it's these stories that make us realize how much more progress there is to be made.

cultural identity

barbies seem to be a constant reminder of what out society considers "beautiful" and what we have come to compare womans' looks to. Barbie is the essence to what every girl supposedly aspires to be like- small waist, big boobs, long legs, perfect makeup, long hair and an impeccable smile.

this image stretches further than the world of barbies, though. It's in magzines, movies, tv, music and, basically, everwhere we look. I think this image applies to people of all ages, backgrounds, and ethnicities. Children who play with barbie aren't just blond hair, blue eyed-children. They are from all different worlds. But, it seems, this image is supposed to apply to all. Since the barbie was created, it seems there has been a push for changes in it. Now, more barbies seem to be black, hispanic, indian, native american, asian, etc., etc. But the image is still the same. Her body remains the image that, as a society, we all seem to be striving to be, whether we realize it or not. The adaptations of "diversity" in these dolls is not really diverse, just, more applicable and visible to different children who play with them.

In a way, it's just broadening the view for our society, making it exemplify more of a "possibility".

execution

The death penalty is an issue which i've always found myself unable to form a definite opinion on. it's always been something that i've had mixed feelings on.

On one hand, i think capital punishment is sometimes necessary for a righteous penalty for extreme crimes and for people of the most extreme conditions. people who have faced this punishment are usually people who have no respect for human life at all. sometimes, it seems right for the family and friends related to those killed for closure and justice. In these circumstances, it seems there would be no other equal punishment for these crimes.

However, on the other hand, in my opinion, it's difficult to be punishing someone through doing to them what they are being punished for. It's a complex issue, also tying back to peoples' beliefs and morals (it obviously includes religious beliefs, and the right of one person to take the life of another- even if they are apart of the court and law.) it seems wrong to me, in a way, that people who are apart of the justice system can choose whether or not they can take the lives of others, while usually, that is the reason why these people are being punished.

This is a matter which i have put thought into, but have trouble making conclusions on my opinions and my own beliefs.

I think it is interesting that a new prospect for coming to a conclusion about this controversy involves costs. With an issue that creates so many mixed feelings, and seems to be such a pertinent division between beliefs, it seems ironic that the government is considering the funding above everything else. i think this says a lot about our country and our society. Putting money on a higher scale than the beliefs of the nation, i think, tells a lot about society's intent and what we consider "important."

Euthanasia

For what seems like ever, it has been considered socially acceptable to put animals "to sleep," or, euthanize them and to end their lives before they are too miserable and to prevent them from suffering is something we consider good, and fair for the animal.

Recently, there has been growing controversy about euthanizing human beings. Immediate reactions to this idea is to consider it unethical, and "cruel" to humans. I do understand that it may seem drastic, and wrong to end a human's life earlier than they may live, but, under certain circumstances, i believe it may have an appropriate place in society.

If someone is suffering beyond a point to which they consider worth living anymore, then it may be appropriate. I do not think it should be used frequently, or in situations other than the most severe. But, if the person suffering is mentally stable enough to make an accurate decision(or their family gives consent), and if their suffering and/or quality of life is too painful, i do not believe it is ethically wrong. A person should have a choice over their lives and, also believe that there is a difference between suicide and euthanasia.

that's just my opinion...

Where in the world: response

where am i going?

i hope that question for me in my life will mean lots of things. I hope i'm going lots of places and i plan on experiencing as much as i possibly can.

i hope to travel all around the world. It's always been one of my favorite things. since i was little, i've been fortunate to have traveled to lots of different places. my family has always prioritized it and included it in our lives. i've been to florida and california a few times each, mexico, puerto rico, europe (paris, france; rome, florence, and venice, italy; and switzerland.) and we've also been camping a lot in places close to rochester and around connecticut and rhode island. I've been to a couple major cities in the us: Nyc, Cleveland, Boston and also to a bunch in Canada.

i hope to continue traveling as much as i can. it has taught me so many things, and i really feel like it has broadened my horizons for individuality and diversity. traveling has expanded my perception of mostly everything around me, and, put simply, made me want to do it as much as possible.

i plan on studying abroad in college and can't wait for an opportunity to spend more time in a foreign place. i hope to go far, both through traveling (literally), and far, in my opinion and in succeeding in what i want for my life- through school, career and being someone i am proud of.

yeah. that's about it! :]