Surprise!

Last week's class was full of surprises. First with Patrick's senior project and then with John's chat. Patrick's project seemed really awesome, especially because it was something so close to home and I had no idea about! I like the idea of spreading awareness not only on this topic (which proved to be successful) but in general. Patrick knows the power of knowledge and word of mouth is great and feels strongly about promoting it. During the break, it was cool to hear him sound so surprised about being a part of the symposium and that if he were to be awarded money, he would have liked to donate it to a cause related to his project. Really cool to hear a college kid with loans and the like say something like that. Ty's dad John was totally random, yet totally relevant to our class. It was awesome to see someone so involved in the Tahoe community and hear his past and future projects. I hope to go to the big boat event in June and be involved with more of his projects. Also, a friend sent this to me, thought you might find it interesting. Sad really.

Service Learning

I forgot to post about a service learning project I could work on. Next semester I am taking English 102 with Katie Zanto on the subject of Educational Issues. She is also offering a 1 unit course to supplement it where I will take what I am learning in 102 and apply it by going to elementary schools and doing activities to teach the kids about a topic I feel is important and relevant to me. I'm excited to do this and am not entirely sure on the full logistics of it. I was also thinking it would be cool to get more community events happening in Incline Village. I'd like to work with IVGID to build a little stage somewhere and make it possible to have little concerts in the park, farmer's markets, etc. where more of the community can be involved with one another.

Crunch Time

The last couple of weeks we had a different professor. Jillian was a lot of fun to have in class. Her passion for the subject and topics she brought to the table was clear and obvious. No matter the topic and comments made, she could spew information for days it seemed. Her energy was uplifting, motivating, and great. Jillian helped me consider new ways to approach writing my essay, which has really helped. While it was fun having a new face, it was great to have our professor back. I enjoyed hearing about his adventures, work, and new projects in Alaska as well as where we are at with our research. It seems like we're all around the same stages of research; finishing up and consolidating. It helped to talk about my topic out loud, I felt a little less behind, but am still feeling a little anxious about what is to come. Finals are next week and that is a week or so too soon. Yet I find myself in a time paradox of wanting summer to be here and school to be over, but I need so much more time to get all of my essays and projects finished while finding time to study and maintain my sanity. I guess it’s part of the student gig and will pass soon. It was fun to have our scattered class discussions back. What I assume was supposed to take 45 minutes or so turned into an entire class period because of our bouncing banter. I love it.

Economic Justice

Last week the class focussed on defining economic justice. Jillian asked us about what it meant to us, and later provided a definition. We watched "From First to Worst" highlighting California's public schools, listened to Adam Smith's "Wealth of Nations", and learned about Jillian's case study of english learners.

What really stood out for me was the school systems. I have been in public school since the fourth grade and suddenly feel very fortunate. Both the Michigan and Idaho districts I belonged to provided me and my peers with plenty of tools to succeed. Disturbed by the 6 or 8 thousand dollar budget per student in California, I was moved to see what was spent on me during my time in primary schools. In Gaylord Michigan, $7,988 per student is what is spent. In the Wood River Valley the price is $14,406 per student. That is a drastic difference from the California system. I feel that my high school education was incredible and see how important that funding truly is now. In class I brought up the lack of spending now creates are larger price tag later in the sense that we become semi responsible for the uneducated, homeless and poor through tax funded programs. This was also confirmed in the statistic of state funding in prisons spending $27,000 per prisoner vs. $6,000 per student in the public school system.

Bettsy Betts

Bett's presentation was really helpful. At first I was searching without checking the "full text" box and could not access many of the articles and academic journals I needed. She pointed out specific data basis that will be helpful to me in the future, as my topic is more of a social topic rather than sustainable.

I have narrowed my topic to maternal health. I think I will start broad, addressing the issue on a global scale and then bringing it back to the United States as I go. I am excited to really dive into my research.

Danel, Isabella, Wendy J. Graham, and Ties Boerma. "Maternal death surveillance and response." Bulletin of the World Health Organization Nov. 2011. Academic Search Premier. Web. 29 Mar. 2012

Hill, Nancy. "Somali Immigrant Women's Health Care Experiences and Beliefs Regarding Pregnancy and Birth in the United States". College of Nursing and Health. OCLC First Search. Web. 29 Mar. 2012.

Kabakchieva, Velika. "Maternal Morbidity And Maternal Mortality In The United States." Journal Of Children and Poverty. Academic Search Premier. Web. 29 Mar. 2012.

Lu, Michael C. "We Can Do Better: Improving Perinatal Health In America." Journal Of Women's Health. Academic Search Premier. Web. 29 Mar. 2012.

"Percentage Of Births That Were Home Births, By Maternal Race/Ethnicity - United States, 1990-2009." MMWR: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 61.3 (2012): 58. Academic Search Premier. Web. 2 Apr. 2012.

I will also have "Half the Sky" as a reference soon.

Tapped

While watching the movie "Tapped", I began to feel annoyed and upset at the way the big bottling companies made decisions about the water they were selling without allowing the people of the area to have part in it. It is their water in a way and the fact that they aren't benefiting from the profits is annoying. Also, the fact that there were droughts in many areas and there was no limit or restriction to the water being pumped but there was one for the people living there seems pretty backwards. This parallels with my research because in the sense that there are six men making decisions about birth control for women. An outside being is making the decisions similarly to the residents where water is being pumped. It just doesn't seem right.

Proposal

Womens Rights/Choice
Gay Rights: mainly law
Freedom of Religion
Respect in general

Womens Rights:

The ongoing controversy regarding women’s rights apart from unequal pay has been abortion. Pro-choice or pro-life? Recently, however, the heated debate has come to contraceptives and healthcare. Should insurance cover birth control as if it were any other medicine? Are employers allowed to dictate and discriminate based on contraceptives? Are the 99% of women taking birth control “sluts” and/or “prostitutes” as Rush Limbaugh would put it? Six men are making these decisions. Men, meaning they never have been, are not, and never will be women who could potentially become pregnant. I am sure these men enjoy taking part in sexual activity and would feel very different on the subject if other contraceptives were to fail. Noone should be able to tell another being what is right or wrong for their body and what they can and can’t do.

Gay Rights:

I recently heard on the news that Tennessee is making it illegal to discuss homosexuality in public schools from kindergarten through eighth grade. Concerns are that children who might be gay, be bullied or have a homosexual family member at home will have nowhere to go to discuss it if the need arises. Proponents argue that there is an ‘age appropriate’ responsibility to hold in the school area. Why is there the need to create this law in the first place? What are we so afraid of?

Respect:

United States soldiers burnt the Koran. Men are choosing what women can and can’t do with their bodies. The government is saying gay or lesbian love is invalid and inadequate. This all comes back to the point of respect. We need to respect other people and their differences.

Questions

1. What is your definition of social sustainability?
My definition of social sustainability is universal respect of differences, equal opportunity to resources, and the ability to sustain one's self and the previous.

2. In your own words what is social justice?
Social justice is equality on all levels. Equal rights (along with the obvious basic human rights stated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights), respect, access, opportunity, education, basic health care, etc. without struggle to receive and achieve these.

3. What is the biggest lesson you've learned from this class so far this semester?
The biggest lesson I have learned so far is that people aren't as understanding as I am. That may sound self-centered, but I am generally very understanding and/or willing to learn more to try and be understanding. I can visualize the other side of a situation, even if I don't agree, and say 'hey, I get what you're saying. I see what you mean, but this is what I think and maybe you can understand too.'

The people we discuss in class, read in text, and hear about on the news that are facing injustice, are being opposed by people who are set in their ways, and aren't so willing to work towards an agreement very easily.

4. What questions would you like us to answer next semester?
When I am asked to come up with questions, I struggle. I generally need something to spark a question, so this may seem half-heathed. I would like to understand the sustainable half of this class. What is meant by it? Is my definition of "social sustainability" correct, given that the sustainability portion seems foggy to me? I see the social justice aspect, and want to integrate the sustainability component. Will we be discussing those struggling with finances, and the unjust system they are coerced into? Not only people of racial descent are faced with social injustice. I would also be interested in discussing a way for students to become more involved and trying to create a sociology independent study or pulling more classes that integrate it into SNC. Amnesty International on a collegiate level facilitator? EHH?

Snowbowl Effect

The Snowbowl Effect movie was good to see, because it made these injustices seem more real to me. I suppose when I read a book, it seems farther away or made up. To be able to put faces with the people fighting for their beliefs and land made the issue much more powerful and real. The movie brought up a moral dilemma for me to consider- watching the film, being completely disconnected I totally, one hundred per cent agree that the San Francisco peaks should be left alone for the indigenous people of that area, but also realize that I would have a harder time if I were closer to the area. I don't backcountry ski (though I hope to change that soon) and do rely on chairlifts and snow blowers for my recreation....if that were my only option, it would be much more difficult.

Not So Different...

Apart from the continuing theme of minorities and lower income people being targeted in regards to hazardous waste sites continuing in chapter four, I was distraught to see the let down these immigrants found in our nation.

What was hope for a more just system for these individuals coming to America, they were met with injustice and sneaky, "legal" corruption similar to what they were hoping to leave back in Mexico. Rather than blatantly do their dirty business, American officials cater to their wants and what makes the most money. It is a dirty system apparently wherever you go.

I was also shocked to see the company and lawyers come back after the appeal to ask these low-income farmers for $8,000!! This goes back to what we were discussing in class earlier today that those denied adequate safety and living conditions are also hit hard with lack of cleanup. The folks living in Buttonwillow were obviously having some issues with the happenings in their community (otherwise they wouldn't have pushed so hard for so long), but they were then pressured to pay money they don't even make in a year! This disgusted me, because it's all about money and fees; fees and money.

I would like to see the value that our society places on money decrease, and be replaced with empathy. If we as a nation were a little more empathetic and understanding as a whole, there would be less struggle and need to survive. We could start living. Sadly this needs to be spread throughout those in power to trickle down and lessen the burdens of those struggling in order for the social change to truly take place. When the majority of citizens are living rather than trying to survive, I believe we would be more united and helpful to one another.

System Reform

After reading chapter three, I believe a major reform in the system of site choice and processing is crucial to the environmental justice of those affected.

The companies and society blamed the people of color for moving into these areas when in reality they were "forced" to move there by those aware of socioeconomic needs and abilities. It's easy to deny racial motives because of the vague guidelines that ultimately lead to the isolation of poor, people of color in these toxic wastelands.

I say the system (obviously) needs reform because, "[these] agencies, in determining a proposed facility's "suitability" for a community, rarely look beyond the geological and environmental characteristics of the proposed site. Most agencies would argue that current laws do not allow them to do so. This is true...."

If the agencies seeking a permit were required to research the "soft" criteria, I would hope that would make a difference in their decisions. If not, it would be a shame.

Injustice in Chester

Chapter two highlights and details the resident's of Chester, Pennsylvania struggle to have a clean, safe environment to live in. There are numerous waste plants, incinerators, toxic waste cleaners etc. in the area and more seem to flood in. Finally, the residents began taking action to stop these establishments from continuing their practices in the manner they do, while also preventing more from coming. Chester is composed of many low income African Americans, which apparently makes it okay to take large dumps in their part of the world. WRONG! They began as any small activist group would, going to city meetings and gathering with representatives from the plants. This proved to be a joke as they were belittled and blatantly lied to. They then sought legal help which looked bright, but once again they were shut down due to their race. Finally they integrated others into their group and started making some progress, but this also was not entirely successful.

Reading this case study, I was in disbelief of how obvious these people were condescended upon. I thought, if one were to be racist, the system especially, there would be some discretion involve. There was absolutely no subtly in the handling of these claims and requests. I, personally have never truly witnessed such racism, therefore it is hard for me to grasp these happenings in this country. If caucasian and wealthy people deserve a clean, safe environment to grow and thrive, other ethnicities and classes ought to be as well.

Oh What a Treat!

Social Sustainability is very exciting, yet mysterious for me thus far. From my perceived notion of the class, it combines a few of my passions from high school into one class; what more could I ask for? I was very involved in the environmental, Amnesty International, and Model United Nations clubs as a Junior and Senior year. To mesh them together and learn about the struggles and frontiers of these topics is a dream come true and I can't wait to get into the thick of it. When told the class may strike a soft chord in people, I get excited. Discussing, learning, and reading about uncomfortable topics is something I enjoy and can't wait to experience it in an academic setting.

The assigned reading thus far was engaging. To hear the resistance that the residents of Kettleman City were met with was unfortunate and mind blowing. The way the entire matter was dealt with was interesting, yet shouldn't need to be written. This shouldn't be happening and I am excited to investigate why, how, and ways to take steps toward stopping it.