Artifacts..
Artifact #1
Savage Inequalities
1.Summarize in your own words the following from the article:
Irl Solomon's history class
Jennifer's views on schools in poor area (Bronx & East St. Louis)
Contrast East St Louis with the school in Rye, New York
2.After your summary, include your own perspective/opinion about this article. For example, given your experience do you think in the past 20 years anything has changed in our system? If so, what? If not, why have things remained the same?
Mr. Solomon’s history class has been labeled as the feature of East St. Louis high. It is clear that Mr. Solomon is a caring teacher who fell in love with teaching. As he was informing the reporter about the pregnant teens in his senior class you can tell he cares about their thought process but also understands why they feel that having a baby is no worse than graduating from such a dilapidated place like East St. Louis High.
Jennifer’s views on schools in poor areas are a bit obscene. She seems to have the, if they don’t want to learn they why should we help them attitude. Jennifer states that everyone should have access to the same classes but doesn’t realize that it takes money; resources and a change in the way people think and see these underprivileged students as being “lazy.” She understands that there are areas that are “hell” that need obvious help as long as the “help” does not come from her parent’s taxes. Her attitude is very sad and is what is wrong with privileged kids. As long as their life is not disrupted then everything is ok. Her last comment is the most bothersome. It actually speaks volumes of the mentality these privileged kids have. They have no clue what they have within their grasp that other kids just dream about. Jennifer, specifically, seems to have the mentality that if she was able to move away to a better place why can’t the other kids?
East St. Louis High is a school maybe people that committed crimes such as murder or rape deserve to attend, not kids. I was definitely in shock about the sewer spillage and thinking about the kids having to endure the odor on a daily bases. Also the part about the restrooms not functioning and the conditions they were in was quite disturbing. While at the school in Rye, New York, the kids there were use to receiving their education modern up to date small classrooms that had ample room and resources. This school was primarily white and after discussing with students about helping out the impoverished kids, it was obvious they thought “separate but equal” was the answer.
After reading this story it is clear to me that racism is embedded into society and taught to our kids and will continue to be taught. As I read the story out loud to my husband I was in shock! I knew these types of cities existed, but reading it in black and white made my jaw drop. It boggles my mind that these types of environment still exist and even worse, kids are forced to live among it. I feel to a certain degree we have moved forward so much but the disparity between some cities is huge. There is a serious problem, we, Americans have failed in. The right for everyone to receive an equal education, no matter your skin color or city. The reason inequalities are very much present is because people see people from lower social economic backgrounds as being lazy or not wanting change thus making people not want to provide funding to change things. I feel like it takes decades to change something in society. Funding needs to be allocated fairly. We must not let teenagers think that having a baby is the same thing as graduating from a horrible high school. We need to take a look at where money needs to be allocated and where there is a surplus coming in and maybe getting together to distribute evenly in communities.
Reflection:
I chose this assignment to reflect upon because the disconnection in education and available resources is prominent in areas of lower social economic back ground and nothing is being done to remedy the situation. This assignment also brought to light the mind set of students who do not have to attend schools that are dilapidated and lacking crucial resources. A child's environment has everything to do in the way a child's mind is shaped. School is where some students go to learn, but there are a few students who go to school to escape a harsh home environment. If both of these environments are blemished children will make all the wrong choices by no fault of their own.
This assignment made me realize that growing up I was a lucky kid to be able to attend a nice school in a nice environment that I also took for granted. This time around I am well into my mid thirties and I couldn't be happier having a chance to attend college and really absorb all that I can.
Artifact #2.
Delancy Street
*What is Delancey Street?
*How does behavioral change occur?
*Are persons labeled on Delancey Street? Explain.
*What is the goal of Delancey Street?
*How would you improve Delancey Street?
*What is your opinion about programs such as Delancey Street
Delancey Street is a second chance at a future. It is a non-profit organization that helps people from all walks of life that have hit a wall in life, whether that wall are drugs, committing crimes, or a life changing situation has made you hit rock bottom. Over time people’s mentality changes thus causing behavior to change. The people that seek out Delancey’s assistance have had enough of the rough life and want something different. Given that they are accepted into the program, participants start to have hope, feel self worth. Until the end of the video I was not aware the participants were people who where/are at wits end. It is amazing that they do not make them feel like a failed member of society, rather someone who needs help.
I would improve Delancey by promoting it a lot more. Before watching this clip I was not aware such a great program existed. I would also ask for more resources, so that more people can be accepted into the program. I think the people running the program and the program itself is essential in our society. So many people are lost, in and out of jail, or simply have a hard life. Most people do not know there are resources out there that can help them. I do however; feel that programs such as Delancey, are not advertised in the right areas/communities. Programs such as these are where we need to put more money into, not military and war.
Reflection:
I appreciate the dedicated people who give their time to construct programs such as Delancy Street. I had no clue it ever existed before this assignment and applaud everyone who works hard to give people another chance at life. Even if this program gave someone more confidence to go out into the world with a new skill, the program has done its job. The fact that Delancy is a non-profit organization and almost all the employees have been students at one point or another makes it extra special. That means that the participants are not judged and are understood on a different level.
The only thing I would do different is maybe have them be a part of the program a bit longer than 4 years max, especially for people who have served long sentences in prison. This would give them more time to rehabilitate ensuring they are both mentally and capable of going out into the real world to succeed.
Artifact #3
Culture Video: Are We "A Society of Consumers?"
Are we a society of consumers?
What are the consequences of consuming too much?
How do we learn to consume?
What about restraint? Is it possible to resist our consumer temptation?
We are definitely a society of consumerism. Americans are capitalist for the very reason of being able to purchase and have the best material things. Having material things and or being able to have the best most expensive items makes a large amount of people feel that is gives us a status of being successful.The problem with consuming too much is that in order to do this we must work our tail off to be able to accomplish obtaining and consuming material things. We then spend a great deal of our lives up keeping this life style. This type of behavior is learned in society. We want what others have. Most people dream of having the best car, clothes, nicest home. We feel as if we are in a life competition to gain the best items.
Reflection:
I think this type of lifestyle is a mentality. It can definitely be contained. There are some people that don't kill themselves just to be able to consume everything out there. Some people are perfectly happy living a humble lifestyle and occasionally enjoy purchasing material things if needed. It is hard, but it can definitely be done.
Savage Inequalities
1.Summarize in your own words the following from the article:
Irl Solomon's history class
Jennifer's views on schools in poor area (Bronx & East St. Louis)
Contrast East St Louis with the school in Rye, New York
2.After your summary, include your own perspective/opinion about this article. For example, given your experience do you think in the past 20 years anything has changed in our system? If so, what? If not, why have things remained the same?
Mr. Solomon’s history class has been labeled as the feature of East St. Louis high. It is clear that Mr. Solomon is a caring teacher who fell in love with teaching. As he was informing the reporter about the pregnant teens in his senior class you can tell he cares about their thought process but also understands why they feel that having a baby is no worse than graduating from such a dilapidated place like East St. Louis High.
Jennifer’s views on schools in poor areas are a bit obscene. She seems to have the, if they don’t want to learn they why should we help them attitude. Jennifer states that everyone should have access to the same classes but doesn’t realize that it takes money; resources and a change in the way people think and see these underprivileged students as being “lazy.” She understands that there are areas that are “hell” that need obvious help as long as the “help” does not come from her parent’s taxes. Her attitude is very sad and is what is wrong with privileged kids. As long as their life is not disrupted then everything is ok. Her last comment is the most bothersome. It actually speaks volumes of the mentality these privileged kids have. They have no clue what they have within their grasp that other kids just dream about. Jennifer, specifically, seems to have the mentality that if she was able to move away to a better place why can’t the other kids?
East St. Louis High is a school maybe people that committed crimes such as murder or rape deserve to attend, not kids. I was definitely in shock about the sewer spillage and thinking about the kids having to endure the odor on a daily bases. Also the part about the restrooms not functioning and the conditions they were in was quite disturbing. While at the school in Rye, New York, the kids there were use to receiving their education modern up to date small classrooms that had ample room and resources. This school was primarily white and after discussing with students about helping out the impoverished kids, it was obvious they thought “separate but equal” was the answer.
After reading this story it is clear to me that racism is embedded into society and taught to our kids and will continue to be taught. As I read the story out loud to my husband I was in shock! I knew these types of cities existed, but reading it in black and white made my jaw drop. It boggles my mind that these types of environment still exist and even worse, kids are forced to live among it. I feel to a certain degree we have moved forward so much but the disparity between some cities is huge. There is a serious problem, we, Americans have failed in. The right for everyone to receive an equal education, no matter your skin color or city. The reason inequalities are very much present is because people see people from lower social economic backgrounds as being lazy or not wanting change thus making people not want to provide funding to change things. I feel like it takes decades to change something in society. Funding needs to be allocated fairly. We must not let teenagers think that having a baby is the same thing as graduating from a horrible high school. We need to take a look at where money needs to be allocated and where there is a surplus coming in and maybe getting together to distribute evenly in communities.
Reflection:
I chose this assignment to reflect upon because the disconnection in education and available resources is prominent in areas of lower social economic back ground and nothing is being done to remedy the situation. This assignment also brought to light the mind set of students who do not have to attend schools that are dilapidated and lacking crucial resources. A child's environment has everything to do in the way a child's mind is shaped. School is where some students go to learn, but there are a few students who go to school to escape a harsh home environment. If both of these environments are blemished children will make all the wrong choices by no fault of their own.
This assignment made me realize that growing up I was a lucky kid to be able to attend a nice school in a nice environment that I also took for granted. This time around I am well into my mid thirties and I couldn't be happier having a chance to attend college and really absorb all that I can.
Artifact #2.
Delancy Street
*What is Delancey Street?
*How does behavioral change occur?
*Are persons labeled on Delancey Street? Explain.
*What is the goal of Delancey Street?
*How would you improve Delancey Street?
*What is your opinion about programs such as Delancey Street
Delancey Street is a second chance at a future. It is a non-profit organization that helps people from all walks of life that have hit a wall in life, whether that wall are drugs, committing crimes, or a life changing situation has made you hit rock bottom. Over time people’s mentality changes thus causing behavior to change. The people that seek out Delancey’s assistance have had enough of the rough life and want something different. Given that they are accepted into the program, participants start to have hope, feel self worth. Until the end of the video I was not aware the participants were people who where/are at wits end. It is amazing that they do not make them feel like a failed member of society, rather someone who needs help.
I would improve Delancey by promoting it a lot more. Before watching this clip I was not aware such a great program existed. I would also ask for more resources, so that more people can be accepted into the program. I think the people running the program and the program itself is essential in our society. So many people are lost, in and out of jail, or simply have a hard life. Most people do not know there are resources out there that can help them. I do however; feel that programs such as Delancey, are not advertised in the right areas/communities. Programs such as these are where we need to put more money into, not military and war.
Reflection:
I appreciate the dedicated people who give their time to construct programs such as Delancy Street. I had no clue it ever existed before this assignment and applaud everyone who works hard to give people another chance at life. Even if this program gave someone more confidence to go out into the world with a new skill, the program has done its job. The fact that Delancy is a non-profit organization and almost all the employees have been students at one point or another makes it extra special. That means that the participants are not judged and are understood on a different level.
The only thing I would do different is maybe have them be a part of the program a bit longer than 4 years max, especially for people who have served long sentences in prison. This would give them more time to rehabilitate ensuring they are both mentally and capable of going out into the real world to succeed.
Artifact #3
Culture Video: Are We "A Society of Consumers?"
Are we a society of consumers?
What are the consequences of consuming too much?
How do we learn to consume?
What about restraint? Is it possible to resist our consumer temptation?
We are definitely a society of consumerism. Americans are capitalist for the very reason of being able to purchase and have the best material things. Having material things and or being able to have the best most expensive items makes a large amount of people feel that is gives us a status of being successful.The problem with consuming too much is that in order to do this we must work our tail off to be able to accomplish obtaining and consuming material things. We then spend a great deal of our lives up keeping this life style. This type of behavior is learned in society. We want what others have. Most people dream of having the best car, clothes, nicest home. We feel as if we are in a life competition to gain the best items.
Reflection:
I think this type of lifestyle is a mentality. It can definitely be contained. There are some people that don't kill themselves just to be able to consume everything out there. Some people are perfectly happy living a humble lifestyle and occasionally enjoy purchasing material things if needed. It is hard, but it can definitely be done.
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