'In the Service of What' Reflection

       I believe that service learning is an important part of anyone's life. Whether it is required by a school or not, i think that all service can be called service learning. I think that there is always more to learn, and that as a human, we all have more to give. I think that service learning should be a requirement. By making it a requirement, we are opening up the minds of young people. When opportunities are presented, but not required, it is not very likely that a young student would jump at the chance to help others. When making it necessary, we open up the possibilities. Just because someone is 'forced' into service, I still truly believe that both parties will benefit.
       When I was in school at Suffolk University last year, I was required to complete service learning hours for my freshman seminar, which was called "Voices in Conflict." We were required to work with the under-served members of our community. While at first I was hesitant about the assignment, and resented the hours I was going to spend on this, I am nothing but grateful. By working with the under-served and underprivileged, I was able to not only better their lives, if only for a moment, but I was able to truly learn about the community that I was living in. A classroom and teacher and textbook can only take you so far. I believe that learning through experience and observation is far more valuable than anything read in a book. Learning through your senses and emotions is a much more powerful and gratifying way of learning, in my opinion. There are so many opportunities for service learning in so many different fields. By making it a requirement, we are allowing ourselves and other students to help others, gain experience, and find our passion.

'Unlearning the Myths' reflection

            This piece made me think about how much kids learn from the media versus their own parents versus their school and teachers. I thought it was interesting how much blame the author was putting on the media. I think that everything that was said has lots of truth and lots of merit, but nothing about what children learn in other places was mentioned. I believe that stereotypes exist and are virtually unavoidable. But I also believe that early on, before a child can understand a story, the basic knowledge of acceptance must be in place. Kids need to be taught at home that they must not believe everything they see or here, and that they should accept everyone and treat everyone as equals. That being said, I know that the media, especially today, is a big part of everyday life. But I also think we look at selective media. Lots of emphasis was put on Disney. There are other films to show your children with less aggressive stereotyping. However, I also believe that that is what media is. It is a character that represents something. It is up to the artist what it represents, but there is media in favor of all types of people, and it is up to us what we show our children, and what we let ourselves believe. Of course over exposure will sway a person, but ultimately, a person’s values and morals and standards should be based on much more than what is shown in the media, and I believe that that must start with parents teaching an open and strong mind from day one.

'Love is all you need?' response

This week, I chose to write my blog based on the video that Valerie posted, called Love is all you need?  I had a few reactions to this video that I would like to discuss.
       I'll start with my positive reactions and thoughts. Because this video was based on true events, I believe that it was very accurate to what homosexual youth face in today's society. I think that it gave a very real sense of how alone these kids feel, even when they are at home with their families, who are supposed to provide unconditional love. The truth about how quickly, dramatically, and severely these issues can escalate was captured very well. I think some people don't realize, or maybe even refuse to believe how extreme bullying is becoming. This video provided a relatable circumstance for all viewers which i believe is a good thing, but also led me to the questioning part of my reaction.
       Watching this video made me wonder why we need to have issues turned around on us to make us really think about them. Why do people need to be in a situation before they realize that other humans have the same feelings that they do. Sometimes it seems as though others are unable to feel sympathy until they themselves wish they had someone. I do not understand where one group of human beings can determine that they are better than others. I know what the laws say, and what the bibles say, but how did people come to regard their own feelings as more important than other's feelings? To me, this is all about how people feel, and how other people feel about those feelings. Why can't we all just make our lives what we would like them to me. I wonder how people can be so violent, with what seems like no incentive. People act solely on emotions. Funny how these things seem to come full circle. But some one always needs to win, right?
      I believe that children need to be taught acceptance at an early age. Perhaps details are not necessary, but just the teaching everyone is free to be who they are. There is not a right or a wrong and there is not a good and a bad. Instead of telling your daughter she will grow up and marry a handsome prince, maybe tell her someday she will grow up and marry an amazing person. Bullying starts very early, and some new voices need to be heard to stop it.

'Aria' Connections

          I made connections with Aria, by Richard Rodriguez, The Silenced Dialogue, by Lisa Delpit, and An Indian Father's Plea, by Robert Lake. The piece was about Rodriguez's struggle with public identity, learning a second language, and being a proud member of his family and people.
          In an Indian Father's Plea, a father is writing to a school to see if something could be done about the way his son's culture seemed to be stripped from him during school hours. I drew a connection here because it was almost the opposite in this article by Rodriguez. When it was brought to the attention of Richard's parents that they might want to help their child learn English, they immediately brought about change in their household. So much so that when they wanted to speak Spanish again, it was nearly impossible. In the Plea, it was the goal of the father to get his son an education in an American school without diminishing or discouraging his Native American culture, heritage, and education. They were willing to work as a team and were not willing to sacrifice. Richard's family on the other hand, was very ready to let their children assimilate in English speaking American culture.
           I also related this to The Silenced Dialogue. There was a culture of power, and it was very evident. When the Rodriguez kids could not speak English, the nuns went to their house and suggested (insisted) that the kids learn English. The parents did not feel as though they had a choice. They had to do what the culture of power was telling them. In this case, the culture was present in school the same way it was in society in general. The culture was the English speaking culture. In order to be a functioning member of this society, English was needed. There was no way to avoid the people in power, when they were such a minority they were unable to make their voices heard.