Although the words "activism" and "advocacy" are often used interchangeably, there is an acute distinction between the two. In Malcolm Gladwell's, "Small Change" advocacy within social networking is criticized. Gladwell compares our present day form of "activism" to the civil- rights movements of the 1960s.
The author sets the scene by describing in Woolworth's protest in Greensboro, North Carolina. Local African- American students were denied service at a lunch counter. As a crowd gathered, a protest formed. Each day, the crowd grew larger. Sit- ins had spread miles beyond Greensboro, along with the spirit of activism. Men and women of all ages and ethnic backgrounds came together as brave advocates; they united for a common cause.
This movement of the 60's was achieved without the use of cell phones, Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. "Social networks are effective at increasing participation-- by lessening the level of motivation participation requires," says the author. Today, our idea of advocacy is "liking" a Facebook page. We consider ourselves activist by using a hashtag. Our brave façade is hidden behind the screen of a laptop and our most extensive form of action happens to be typing upon a keyboard.
So where have we gone wrong? Our generation has been taught to use social media as a tool of communication. "The platforms of social media are built around weak ties," Gladwell points out. As we continue to gain followers, our knowledge of the world expands, and we feel an obligation to "pick a side" in every trivial matter.
Despite our communication, our lack of organization and central leadership limits our effectiveness. The author sheds light upon possibilities as to why social media has become such an ineffective instrument of change. Gladwell writes, "Because networks don't have a centralized leadership structure and clear lines of authority, they have real difficulty reaching consensus and setting goals." The structure of networking makes it nearly impossible to make each individual accountable. We have no central authority, and therefore have one to answer to but ourselves. In this way, giving up or quitting is what causes our fervor to fizzle out.
Social media has made us handicaps. We lack belief in our convictions; we are influenced by groups around us, constructed by weak ties. With only ourselves to answer to, we lack the motivation to find a passion. False advocates have replaced our fervent activists.
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
Monday, October 26, 2015
The New Yorker
The New Yorker is known to publish clever political cartoons and drawings relevant to current events. Its issue published the week of Oct. 12, 2015, is no exception. The cover depicts a grand hotel, stretching high into the skyline. Guarding the doors are two bellhops who seemingly tower over all that walks among the city streets.
I have been to New York a couple times as a young girl, however my memory limits me from drawing forth clear imagery. The wonder of this sleepless city is not completely foreign to me; it is nearly impossible to escape. The glamorous life of a city- goer is glamorized in just about every rap, pop, and rock song. Diamonds from Tiffany, Loubouton heels, Versace suits, Gucci bags-- let's face it: money is power. We want to be these people; the holders of social credibility, financial security, and pure hapinesss. When I think of New York, I think of social, political, and economic dominance. I do not think of cracked pavement and crumbling starues, but glistening sky scrapers that seem to shine like gold. Even workers of the big corporations and brand names even seem to hold an advantage; by association, they become powerful.
By reflecting deeply on this cover page of The New Yorker, a new vision is born. I put myself in the streets of the city. I am just a girl, lost among the crowds. I feel weakened; lost. I am an outsider. The true New Yorkers hold the power, and I am beneath them. The corporate world engulfs me, and I am trapped. Truly, the glamour only exists within my ignorance. My imagination has now been tainted by all the corruption. This luxury I once dreamed of is now my worst nightmare.
I have been to New York a couple times as a young girl, however my memory limits me from drawing forth clear imagery. The wonder of this sleepless city is not completely foreign to me; it is nearly impossible to escape. The glamorous life of a city- goer is glamorized in just about every rap, pop, and rock song. Diamonds from Tiffany, Loubouton heels, Versace suits, Gucci bags-- let's face it: money is power. We want to be these people; the holders of social credibility, financial security, and pure hapinesss. When I think of New York, I think of social, political, and economic dominance. I do not think of cracked pavement and crumbling starues, but glistening sky scrapers that seem to shine like gold. Even workers of the big corporations and brand names even seem to hold an advantage; by association, they become powerful.
By reflecting deeply on this cover page of The New Yorker, a new vision is born. I put myself in the streets of the city. I am just a girl, lost among the crowds. I feel weakened; lost. I am an outsider. The true New Yorkers hold the power, and I am beneath them. The corporate world engulfs me, and I am trapped. Truly, the glamour only exists within my ignorance. My imagination has now been tainted by all the corruption. This luxury I once dreamed of is now my worst nightmare.
Wednesday, October 21, 2015
A Bad Feminist
Feminism can be defined as economic, political, and social equality to men. While it is not unreasonable to question why women earn 77% of what men do, the movement has become an a completely obscene way to condemn the entire male population. There are many ideals of what a feminist should be; identifying as such comes with its negative connotations. The term itself is associated with man hating, angry, militant women who don't shave. I try to steer clear of any feminist related rally or tumblr post, and I am partially ashamed.
Gay states, "...these articles tell me that there's no way for women to ever get it right... it [seems] like there is, in fact, a right way to be a woman and a wrong way to be a woman". This is a movement that deems women as failures for not being "passionate" enough. The exclusiveness reminds me of a Mean Girls movie; you're in, or you're irrelevant.
In her essay collection Bad Feminist, Roxane Gay writes, "I fall short as a feminist. I feel like I am not as committed as I need to be...". She goes on to describe the essentials principles in being an "ideal" feminist. Finally-- a woman brave enough to speak out. For so long, I felt like less of a woman, merely because I do in fact like boys. I love the color pink; it's my favorite. I adore make up and getting dressed up. I take selfies. I have a playlist dedicated completely to hard- core rap. None of this makes me any less of a woman. I believe in women's rights and the equality of the sexes, so why is it not enough?
A key message in Gay's article is this: You can be who ever you are and be a feminist. You're to allowed to read Vogue and it's okay to binge- watch Keeping Up with the Kardashians. This is because we are entitled to our likes and dislikes. All human beings depend on someone every now and then; we're not super human. Gay explains the struggle when taking her car to the mechanic. Because she knows nothing about cars, it seems as though these men are speaking in a foreign language. From what I understand, this does not make her a failure of a woman, it makes her human. This dilemma goes both ways-- one cannot argue that women are expected to be completely independent while a majority of the male population lacks the ability to cook a plate scrambled eggs.
In order to achieve unity and equality among the sexes, I believe we must put our differences aside and simply stop blaming the opposite sex for every opposition we face. With condemnation comes tension, and tension only adds fuel to the flame of gender equality that has been burning since the beginning of time. Call me a bad feminist, but I believe in a balance.
Gay states, "...these articles tell me that there's no way for women to ever get it right... it [seems] like there is, in fact, a right way to be a woman and a wrong way to be a woman". This is a movement that deems women as failures for not being "passionate" enough. The exclusiveness reminds me of a Mean Girls movie; you're in, or you're irrelevant.
In her essay collection Bad Feminist, Roxane Gay writes, "I fall short as a feminist. I feel like I am not as committed as I need to be...". She goes on to describe the essentials principles in being an "ideal" feminist. Finally-- a woman brave enough to speak out. For so long, I felt like less of a woman, merely because I do in fact like boys. I love the color pink; it's my favorite. I adore make up and getting dressed up. I take selfies. I have a playlist dedicated completely to hard- core rap. None of this makes me any less of a woman. I believe in women's rights and the equality of the sexes, so why is it not enough?
A key message in Gay's article is this: You can be who ever you are and be a feminist. You're to allowed to read Vogue and it's okay to binge- watch Keeping Up with the Kardashians. This is because we are entitled to our likes and dislikes. All human beings depend on someone every now and then; we're not super human. Gay explains the struggle when taking her car to the mechanic. Because she knows nothing about cars, it seems as though these men are speaking in a foreign language. From what I understand, this does not make her a failure of a woman, it makes her human. This dilemma goes both ways-- one cannot argue that women are expected to be completely independent while a majority of the male population lacks the ability to cook a plate scrambled eggs.
In order to achieve unity and equality among the sexes, I believe we must put our differences aside and simply stop blaming the opposite sex for every opposition we face. With condemnation comes tension, and tension only adds fuel to the flame of gender equality that has been burning since the beginning of time. Call me a bad feminist, but I believe in a balance.
Sunday, October 18, 2015
Disney Haters
Disney fairytales have played a significant role in the lives of children worldwide. Audiences of all ages find themselves captivated by the idea of a happily ever after. Could this ideology pose a threat to "the young, the ignorant, and the idle"? Deborah Ross, in her article titled, Escape from Wonderland: Disney and the Female Imagination, writes of the dangerous nature of imagination, contradictory acts of feminism, and the politics linked to the Disney cooperation itself. She does this by closely examining several classics, including The Little Mermaid, exposing the transparency within the plots.
Ross claims that Disney stories result in woman and young girls fantasizing of a world more vivid and exciting than their own, leading them to feel entitled and socially displaced. Fairytale story lines encourage youth to defy their adolescent self- will to embark upon adventure, personal growth, love and lust. To exemplify this, the writing recalls the character of Ariel who dreams of life on dry land were "fathers do not reprimand their daughters". The lack of realism imposes an unfair advantage upon the children who receive these ideologies and take them to hearts they encounter quests of their own-- soon they may be wondering what happened to their happy ending.
Strong female roles are criticized as Ross questions why our beloved Disney princesses break the bounds of "traditional femininity" just to settle for marriage. Ariel's anthem of independence is contrasted by her narrow desire to experience land, mainly to acquire a male figure whom she is already enamored with. "Ariel imagines this other world as in a sense more her own... she believes it to be a utopia of free movement... for 'jumping' and 'dancing' and strolling,' and only secondarily for marrying," Ross states. A world so full of possibility is abandoned as she decides to become submissive and settle. The idea of independence is negated by the need for companionship.
The identical storylines presented in different variations exploit Disney's "reluctance to embrace imagination with both arms". Ross claims the cooperation's false claim to political affiliation continues to grow, influencing public tastes and culture itself. The encouragement of individuality is broken by the inescapable homogeneity of our childhood favorites.
While these ideas withstand close examination, Ross attempts to get her point across in a manner that is rather crass. The authorial tone of her article is quite disappointing; who enjoys being told their childhood was merely full of propaganda and hidden politics? As much as the reader would like to disprove of these examples of contradiction, the harsh reality of the matter is that we have in fact grown up under the impression of false hope.
In order to be more persuasive I believe Ross should have presented her ideas in a manner less, dare I say, dream- crushing. Rather than shattering every enjoyable moment of our adolescence, I would offer less pessimism. Although it is true that our favorite princesses abandoned their dreams by settling, I ask, why must we do the same? Our lives are not in fact Disney movies; the unrealistic fairytale endings have proven this valid. Don't let neither cookie- cuter story lines nor Disney haters keep you from commencing your vey own adventures and pursuing the lifestyle of your dreams.
Ross claims that Disney stories result in woman and young girls fantasizing of a world more vivid and exciting than their own, leading them to feel entitled and socially displaced. Fairytale story lines encourage youth to defy their adolescent self- will to embark upon adventure, personal growth, love and lust. To exemplify this, the writing recalls the character of Ariel who dreams of life on dry land were "fathers do not reprimand their daughters". The lack of realism imposes an unfair advantage upon the children who receive these ideologies and take them to hearts they encounter quests of their own-- soon they may be wondering what happened to their happy ending.
Strong female roles are criticized as Ross questions why our beloved Disney princesses break the bounds of "traditional femininity" just to settle for marriage. Ariel's anthem of independence is contrasted by her narrow desire to experience land, mainly to acquire a male figure whom she is already enamored with. "Ariel imagines this other world as in a sense more her own... she believes it to be a utopia of free movement... for 'jumping' and 'dancing' and strolling,' and only secondarily for marrying," Ross states. A world so full of possibility is abandoned as she decides to become submissive and settle. The idea of independence is negated by the need for companionship.
The identical storylines presented in different variations exploit Disney's "reluctance to embrace imagination with both arms". Ross claims the cooperation's false claim to political affiliation continues to grow, influencing public tastes and culture itself. The encouragement of individuality is broken by the inescapable homogeneity of our childhood favorites.
While these ideas withstand close examination, Ross attempts to get her point across in a manner that is rather crass. The authorial tone of her article is quite disappointing; who enjoys being told their childhood was merely full of propaganda and hidden politics? As much as the reader would like to disprove of these examples of contradiction, the harsh reality of the matter is that we have in fact grown up under the impression of false hope.
In order to be more persuasive I believe Ross should have presented her ideas in a manner less, dare I say, dream- crushing. Rather than shattering every enjoyable moment of our adolescence, I would offer less pessimism. Although it is true that our favorite princesses abandoned their dreams by settling, I ask, why must we do the same? Our lives are not in fact Disney movies; the unrealistic fairytale endings have proven this valid. Don't let neither cookie- cuter story lines nor Disney haters keep you from commencing your vey own adventures and pursuing the lifestyle of your dreams.
Wednesday, October 14, 2015
Acceptance Needed for LGBT Community
**DISCLAIMER** I myself do not identify as an LGBT Teen, so I do hope my viewpoints or standings in the matter are not taken to offense; I wish not to speak hypocritically. By using pronouns such as "they" or "them" when referring to this community it is not my intention to create any boundary or distinction between myself and those who identify as Lesbian/ Gay/ Bisexual/ or Transgender. With that being said, I invite those who are willing to read on with open hearts, and open minds.
Acceptance of the LGBT community has undoubtedly been a hot- button issue in our society today. As United States citizens our natural born rights include those of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. If this remains true, then why must some face so much segregation; so much condemnation; so much pain? World leaders claim to seek equality, but have a knack for picking and choosing who deserves to be treated like an actual human being.
To façade a moral absence, many tack their artificial values in accordance with religion. Some are forbidden from eating pork; others are required to wear special clothing. Whose religious values claim they cannot associate with anyone of a varied sexual orientation? It is because of this reason that we are made to choose between religion and individuality. The outcasted LGBT community is ostracized from a majority of our christian communities, allegedly offering a safe haven for all of God's children. Instead, they are frowned upon.
These ideologies have permeated beyond our legislature and religious groups however. The practice of discrimination is present in our homes, and in our schools. Statistics show that in 2011 64% of teens felt unsafe at school due to their sexual orientation (nobullying.com). A shocking 44% have been physically assaulted. It is also not uncommon to find similar domestic settings. Teens feel the need to hide their true identity from parents and siblings. According to PFLAG NYC, LGBT youths are three times more likely to be rejected by family member than teenage substance abusers. As a result, these teens are left homeless, with no where to go.
So what can we do to help? I hope by the time you are finished reading this you feel convicted reach out and welcome the struggling teens with open arms. Whether it is organizing a youth group, standing up for those who are bullied, or simply speaking kind words, your support matters. Take a stand against LGBT discrimination; be a beacon of light in a world of moral darkness.
Acceptance of the LGBT community has undoubtedly been a hot- button issue in our society today. As United States citizens our natural born rights include those of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. If this remains true, then why must some face so much segregation; so much condemnation; so much pain? World leaders claim to seek equality, but have a knack for picking and choosing who deserves to be treated like an actual human being.
To façade a moral absence, many tack their artificial values in accordance with religion. Some are forbidden from eating pork; others are required to wear special clothing. Whose religious values claim they cannot associate with anyone of a varied sexual orientation? It is because of this reason that we are made to choose between religion and individuality. The outcasted LGBT community is ostracized from a majority of our christian communities, allegedly offering a safe haven for all of God's children. Instead, they are frowned upon.
These ideologies have permeated beyond our legislature and religious groups however. The practice of discrimination is present in our homes, and in our schools. Statistics show that in 2011 64% of teens felt unsafe at school due to their sexual orientation (nobullying.com). A shocking 44% have been physically assaulted. It is also not uncommon to find similar domestic settings. Teens feel the need to hide their true identity from parents and siblings. According to PFLAG NYC, LGBT youths are three times more likely to be rejected by family member than teenage substance abusers. As a result, these teens are left homeless, with no where to go.
So what can we do to help? I hope by the time you are finished reading this you feel convicted reach out and welcome the struggling teens with open arms. Whether it is organizing a youth group, standing up for those who are bullied, or simply speaking kind words, your support matters. Take a stand against LGBT discrimination; be a beacon of light in a world of moral darkness.
Thursday, October 8, 2015
Standardize Testing
It is currently uncommon to see young students opting out of taking standardize test. It is no wonder that these children choose to do so; test taking takes both a physical and emotional toll on those who are scored. In addition to illness such as anxiety induced vomiting and nausea, test takers are also left questioning their intelligence. This is due to the idea that an individual's worth is tied to a test score. These assessments should be a reflection of achievement. Originally created to increase our national academic rank, standardize testing has become more of a battle than a reflection of basic knowledge and comprehension skills. President George W. Bush's "No Child Left Behind" campaign tripled the amount of test taking in the United States. In order to fix this problem, we must all either come to agree on the disadvantages standardize tests have provided our schools with, nationwide, or choose to ignore the damages. With so many red flags, such as test scorers found on Craigslist or quotas given to grade these exams, we must take a stand. While some may argue that standardize test taking is proven to increase our adaptability and provide classrooms with a "healthy sense of competition", our scores have shown a significant decrease from when this "test taking boom" began in the 90's. More and more students are taking stand against standardize testing. As a student myself, I believe it is the responsibility of other educators and political leaders to follow suit in order to maintain a sense of national academic dignity and pride.
Sunday, October 4, 2015
Introverts, Extroverts, and the Amniverts
Most people consider themselves as either an introvert, or an extrovert... But what ever happened to those who fall in between? While are aware of the differences between the two, we refuse to acknowledge any ambiguity. The forgotten ones who share characteristics of both are called Amniverts.
Ignorance brings negativity when searching for a category to fall under. It can be stressful identifying as one or the other; you are forced to choose between black or white. Educating others of the Amnivert existence can break the tension associated with this decision. Why must we choose between being a people person or enjoying solitude? It is necessary to both mingle and have essential reflection time.
Susan Cain argues that educators should impose less group work among children to encourage independent creativity. Students are forced to work within a generic environment that is not tailored to incorporate each individual's learning preference. Introducing a balance between the two may bring an increase in work productivity.
Extroverts, Introverts, and Amniverts all contribute to our society in some way. Some of our best writers and creative thinkers are Introverts. Extroverts are wonderful event planners. Amniverts however are not given nearly as much recognition as they deserve. Did you know that they are considered to make the best salespeople? A study conducted by Adam Grant of the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Management shows that Amniverts "tend to be adept at the quality of attunemet" (danpink.com).
Which ever personality type you choose to identify as, ask yourself if you are among the overlooked Aminiverts.
Ignorance brings negativity when searching for a category to fall under. It can be stressful identifying as one or the other; you are forced to choose between black or white. Educating others of the Amnivert existence can break the tension associated with this decision. Why must we choose between being a people person or enjoying solitude? It is necessary to both mingle and have essential reflection time.
Susan Cain argues that educators should impose less group work among children to encourage independent creativity. Students are forced to work within a generic environment that is not tailored to incorporate each individual's learning preference. Introducing a balance between the two may bring an increase in work productivity.
Extroverts, Introverts, and Amniverts all contribute to our society in some way. Some of our best writers and creative thinkers are Introverts. Extroverts are wonderful event planners. Amniverts however are not given nearly as much recognition as they deserve. Did you know that they are considered to make the best salespeople? A study conducted by Adam Grant of the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Management shows that Amniverts "tend to be adept at the quality of attunemet" (danpink.com).
Which ever personality type you choose to identify as, ask yourself if you are among the overlooked Aminiverts.
Friday, October 2, 2015
SCWAMP
The acronym SCWAMP represents the today's culture of power.
S- Straightness
C- Christianity
W- Whiteness
A- Able bodied
M- Maleness
P- Property holder
These ideals can be spotted all around us in media, pop- culture, politics, work, and school. We have been influenced by this preconceived mold of superiority before the time we could speak. It is no surprise that examples of SCWAMP can easily be detected in our favorite Disney childhood movies. Take the story of Pocahontas for example. John Smith is a white male who belongs to the Massachusetts Bay Company, (which was granted a charter by King James I to set up colonies or property in the Americas). Originating from the Anglican Church of England John Smith happens to be of Christian faith. He acts as a leader of the MBC to help perform manual labor-- indicating that he is able bodied. Lastly, we see that John Smith falls in love with Pocahontas; therefore, it is safe to assume he is straight.
Think of what you consider your privileges to be, and compare them to what it means to be privileged in society today. I challenge you to become more aware of these ideologies, and find your own examples of SCWAMP; it may be easier than you think.
S- Straightness
C- Christianity
W- Whiteness
A- Able bodied
M- Maleness
P- Property holder
These ideals can be spotted all around us in media, pop- culture, politics, work, and school. We have been influenced by this preconceived mold of superiority before the time we could speak. It is no surprise that examples of SCWAMP can easily be detected in our favorite Disney childhood movies. Take the story of Pocahontas for example. John Smith is a white male who belongs to the Massachusetts Bay Company, (which was granted a charter by King James I to set up colonies or property in the Americas). Originating from the Anglican Church of England John Smith happens to be of Christian faith. He acts as a leader of the MBC to help perform manual labor-- indicating that he is able bodied. Lastly, we see that John Smith falls in love with Pocahontas; therefore, it is safe to assume he is straight.
Think of what you consider your privileges to be, and compare them to what it means to be privileged in society today. I challenge you to become more aware of these ideologies, and find your own examples of SCWAMP; it may be easier than you think.
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