International Week

The event that I attended was an informational gathering where different causes had tables discussing the issues facing other countries and regions. I didn't know that Amnesty international covered so many different issues. Before reading the information I didn't know a lot about what they actually did. I knew that they were concerned with the rights of people who are living in other nations and are having their human rights violated. I knew that they also worked to improve other aspect of their lives.

I was not aware of the vast number of different countries that they helped or the different types of issues that were taking place. I knew that poverty would be a big issue but I didn't consider that they also were the ones who handled the things like trying to make sure children had access to education. I wasn't aware that they were the ones responsible for that I thought that was done by another organization.

 They also are taking part in trying to abolish the death penalty. I wasn't aware that they also worked on issues or problems in the US. I thought they focused heavily on other countries.

Before this EL I really didn't think about or have a full knowledge base of what Amnesty International actually stood for or what their purpose was. Realizing how much I don't know about world and global issues makes me want to do more research and expand my knowledge base.

Rutgers Weekend

The trip to Rutgers University was an experience that I will never forget. I not only got to travel to Newark New Jersey but I got to see another University that was completely different from any college I would have gone to visit on my own. The only areas I have ever been to have been suburban or rural which is a complete contrast to Rutgers. It was eye opening to me because when it comes to "urban" areas you never hear anything that is truly positive. The dangerous areas are the ones that get all the attention and the violent people are also the main focus. So it was nice to see that is not the case that the people who live there take pride in where they live. They possible may care about their city and neighborhoods more than people who live in "nicer" areas. The students were really welcoming and they were actually the biggest teachers as far as conversations and group discussions.

 The major thing that I will take away from the whole weekend is that you can learn so much by just listening. That every region has its own culture and not everyone has the same views and understandings about a particular social topic. Also the knowledge that is accumulated from where you live shapes you more than what you realize. I realize that is supposed to be common sense that where you live has a huge impact on who you are but I have never really taken the time to examine, reflect, discuss and learn from those differences. The trip gave me the opportunity to stop, look, listen and discuss the things that I didn't understand it also made me question the things that I thought I knew.

 The major example is the difference between African American views in the deeper south and those that are held by those that live in the north. Elvin and I had a conversation with a few of the Rutgers students about the use of the N-word. It was shocking to me that they didn't have a point of reference for the southern aspect of it or why it could be really offensive to both of us have lived in the south and riding behind a truck covered with a confederate flag paint job and an offensive bumper sticker to top it off. It was explained to us that it is thrown around in a more causal and nonchalant way where it is just used all the time in the open with no discretion. I realize that there were a few people most black males who would say it occasional and it is used in almost every rap song at least once but the view or mindset is different. At least where the average person in concerned. In high school it was only said really amongst people you knew like the guys wouldn't go up to or say it around another black person they just meet. It wouldn't be a greeting from the beginning. That was what started the conversation one of the guys walked in and said hi my nigga to Elvin which wasn't ok with him and I was offending as well in my option having an a at the end of the N-word doesn't make a difference. And you’re not taking the power or sting from the word by using it and making it your own. But I was introduced to a different way of thinking about it or coming to accept that depending on where you come from it makes the word take on a new meaning. It makes sense that the further north you go the less offensive or negative the connotation would be. It’s hard to say how I would view it if I would have grown up not seeing racist bumper stickers, confederate flags and not feeling like I was being judged or hearing unsettling comments. I assume I would have a different outlook on its use and the idea of making it into a positive and that being possible.

Through that conversation I also noted a difference in communication style between the two groups. I know we are equally intelligent that was clear from our discussion but it wasn't as easy to present two different viewpoints when everyone is talking about the same thing at the same time. Normally in an outside the class discussion it is still you talk I talk. There it was organized that way naturally it had to be facilitated in a way. But it was interesting to see other points of view and how they differ.

The one thing that I am committing myself to as a result of the trip is that I am going to become more politically active within my voting area. I want to gain the knowledge to be an informed voter as well as know what is going on within my community. I learned that from the exercise that we did on the first day that you have to know what is going on around you before you can identify the issues and make a plan to solve them.  

BusBoys and Poets

Spoken word is a very empowering form of art it allows the performer to communicate with a mass audience. The performer that I enjoyed the most was Ebony. You could tell that her poetry came from a very real place and the it was a means for her to get her voice across. Her poetry concentrated heavily on women and the issues that they face. Her performance was interesting because it was very descriptive. She also made it funny. The clit poem was my absolute favorite because it was insightful,creative, daring and funny. The way that she preformed also made a difference her presences and the way that she spoke was sure to keep your attention. She used different voice inflections to stress certain points and hand gestures to convey certain feelings. Her facial expressions also helped to convey her message it told the story just as much as her mouth. Busboys and poets is a great restaurant and i plan to visit again.