Aklowa (Village) Students Scholarship project (ASSP)

On Friday December 2, I attended a social Justice event at my University Kwantlen Polytechnic in Surrey. This event was put on by fellow students to raise money and awareness for people in rural villages in Africa such as Ghana.       

My teacher Dr. Charles Quist-Adade has a foundation to help children in rural parts of Arica. He and another lady spoke at this event to help inform everyone of what they do. One point they brought up is that they are a non government agency which is a good thing. They make sure that 100% of the money donated gets to the children. Their belief is to educate the youth of tomorrow. They work with Canadian donors, African teachers and parents to deliver supplies, food, medical care, transportation, and help with other fees. The volunteers builds schools, libraries, bring books and computers.     

 Projects such as this one are important for the future of these children. I feel very motivated to do what I can to help now and in the future.

The Phantom of the Race:

The Myth of Race and the Reality of Racism

By

Charles Quist-Adade

Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Surrey BC, Canada

Dialectic Reading

What questions did this chapter raise?	How did the chapter answer this?	How does the answer match our own ideas and experiences?
Where did racism come from?	Racism was socially constructed.	I did not know until reading this article that racism was a social construct.
How can we change racism?	If humans created it, they can un create it.	I agree with this and if everybody in the world were educated on this a change could begin.
Why are people physically different?	People have different color and features based on where in the world they live and that climate.	I did not know until I read this article that physical differences where related to the climate.

 

 

Negotiation, Not Retribution

Negotiation, Not Retribution

By

Charles Quist-Adade

Calabrians Multicultural News, September 2001

Affective reading method

 

 

While we mourn the loss of so many lives on September 11^th, we should also think of all the lives lost at the hands of the US. If the US continues to ignore the problems in their own country, similar to others problems, they could face the same consequences. If the past has shown us anything it is that a country or person who is an enemy at one point could be our friend or allies at another.

 

I feel this expressed a good point that the US’s decision for retaliation may be a little harsh judging from actions and circumstances in their past.

 

I think that what he is saying about learning from your past and taking note of what you are doing to others is good. The US doesn’t seem to be able to do this yet.

 

I know after reading this article that the US should really reflect on their actions in the past and present.

September 11: Forgiveness is not part of the lessons learned

September 11: Forgiveness is not part of the lessons learned

By

Charles Quist-Adade (Publisher/Editor Sankofa News)

Paraphrastic Reading

A year after 9/11 the US proposed a war on Terrorism. The US expects other people and countries to forgive things they have done.  When the US is put in the same situation where forgiveness should be the answer they chose revenge. They do not live up to the same standards they expect of others.

 

All this is being said in no way to desecrate the memories of the nearly three thousand men and women who perished in the September 11 attack. May their souls rest in peace! They did not deserve to die the way they did. Their horrific and spine-chilling deaths should be an everlasting reminder to humanity that terror, whether state sponsored or Al-Qaeda-led is a real menace to all citizens of our planet-Africans, Americans, Palestinians, Israelis, Panamanians, or Grenadians and must condemned in no uncertain terms. September 11 should also remind us that terror comes in different forms and shapes-state-sponsored, individual, stateless structures such as Al-Qaeda. Finally, violence, one of the tools of terrorism, also comes in all manners, including policies and actions, commissions and omissions of governments, organizations, and individuals that deny other people their daily bread, their dignity and their humanity.

 

Paraphrase

This is not written in any way to disrespect the victims of 9/11. The attacks on the US should help us see how devastating terrorism is no matter where in the world or what form it is in. There are many different forms of terrorism and strong action should be taken against all of them.

 

I picked this paragraph because I feel this is the most important message of all. That terrorism is a global problem and requires are attention not just when it happens in the US. Terrorism devastates the lives of people all over the world no matter what form.

Who Will Liberate Liberia?

Who Will Liberate Liberia?

By

Charles Quist-Adade (Sankofa News December, 2003)

Dialectic Reading

What questions did this chapter raise?	How did the chapter answer this?	How does the answer match our own ideas and experiences?
How much money did the Bush Administration spend on the Iraq war?	It is estimated that the war cost $200 billion dollars.	I knew war was expensive I did not realize this expensive.
How much would it cost to provide basic health and nutrition to half the world’s population?	It would cost $4billion dollars the same amount the Bush administration spent on war a month.	When you put the cost of war in these terms. I realize how ridiculous it is to spend money on war when so many people lack basic necessities.
Why does the US let Liberia liberate them selves and not Iraq?	The reason Iraquis can not liberate them selves is Iraq is a country rich in oil.	I have heard the war is over oil and not peace.  I have always wondered why the US intervenes in countries like Iraq but not in Liberia or Somalia. If in fact it’s not over oil.

 

The Role of the Automobile in American Culture

The Role of the Automobile in American Culture

By

Joseph M. Pellerito, Jr., Frank Tridico and Catherine Lysack

Issues in Social Justice

Affective Reading method

 

This chapter talks about the different roles the automobile has played in American Culture. The Automobile has had both a negative and positive effects.

I feel American Culture has been affected greatly by the invention of the automobile. It has changed so many different parts of society.

After reading this chapter I think the role of the automobile and American culture is quite large. I think the automobile affects so many different parts of person’s life. From where they live, work, to who their friends are.

After reading this I believe owning an automobile can be a symbol of ones beliefs, independence and freedom, social status; it also plays an important role in ones ability to socialize with others.

I know now that the automobile has impacted movies, music, business, personal autonomy. I know the automobile has shaped America today, with the construct of roads and houses. People’s lives revolve around the automobile, because of this invention we have suburban living, drive through food, motels, and drive in movies. It is a way for people to share many activities as a family from camping, to road trips. The automobile has also aided in the safety of people, with fire trucks, and police cars. I know with all the positive affects it has had there is also some negative such as small business owners who are not able to move to high profile locations suffered as a result of the automobile. Emissions in the air and fossil fuels needed to maintain the automobile are not good for our environment.

Driving Discontinuance and Quality of Life Among the Elderly

Driving Discontinuance and Quality of Life Among the Elderly

By

Joseph M. Pellerito Jr.

Issues in Social Justice

Paraphrastic Reading method

Society has a perceived view that elderly people continue to drive and put themselves and others in danger. It is also believed that the elderly are reluctantly giving up there driving rights. It is possible that we have constructed a society that relies too heavily on the use of cars.

Joseph M Pellerito has done a small study on the phenomenology, the automobile and the quality of life among the elderly. He interviewed people ranging in age from 65 to 90 both female and male. This study shows that our perception of elderly drivers is not entirely accurate; he found that most people did give up driving on there on terms as they noticed a decline in there driving abilities. It is noted that most people had very fond memories of driving.  Driving brought independence, ability to socialize, help family members, get to places quicker and easier. Driving and happiness do seem to have some relation.

Why some individuals continue to drive with cognitive, kinesthetic, visual perceptual or functional deficits may be partially explained by the fact that older adults overwhelmingly rely on the automobile for their primary means of transportation. However, the absence of alternative transportation options, however, including an available family member or friend is possession of a driver’s licence and vehicle who is willing to assist, the lack of comprehensive system of public transportation in some cities and through rural areas, and the absence of a “co-pilot” who can assist with navigation and serve as a “second pair of eyes” can exacerbate the problem.

Paraphrase

Elderly people have many forces working against them with regards to driving, such as lack of alternatives, family that can drive, some no longer have a spouse alive and are forced to drive alone. We rely too strongly on being able to drive and thus other forms of transportation are not around.

 

I selected this paragraph because I believe this issue of other alternatives and society’s reliance on driving will continue to get worse with an aging population. It is time that we focus on this issue for the future of our elders.

Discrimination faced by members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGTB) community

Discrimination faced by members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGTB) community

By

Carrie Buist and Andrew Verheek

Issues in Social Justice

Affective Reading Method

 

 

This chapter discusses the different areas that the LGBT community are facing discrimination. One is the work place, many feel forced to hide their sexual identity.  The LGBT and African American community also see discrimination with regards to being hired.  LGBT, single mothers and African Americans see discrimination when trying to buy or rent houses. They are also facing brutalities from hate crimes.  These people continue to face discrimination because of the “norms” that society has in place.

After reading this chapter I feel sad. It seems unfair that people are still falling victim to socially constructed prejudices.

I think that this is still affecting too many people. I think we still have a long way to go before people of the LGBT community, African Americans and other minorities will be able to live discrimination free.

I believe we all play a role in the social construct of society. I believe people should be more cautious of their thoughts and actions to help construct a society that will not hurt and discriminate people.

I know that because of the heterosexist standards in today’s society many people are suffering in different ways every day. I know we still have a lot to change before people of these minorities will feel free and face less discrimination.

Human Trafficking

Human Trafficking

by

Darrick Brake

Issues in Social Justice

Dialectic Reading Method

What questions Did this chapter raise?	How did the chapter answer this?	How does the answer match my own ideas and or experience?
Who are the victims of human trafficking?	The victims of human trafficking are mostly women and children.  Children because they can be used for longer. The victims usually live in developing countries and tend to be weaker or more vulnerable.	This confirms what I thought. I have heard of human trafficking and most of the cases had involved women and children.
What are the different areas people are sold into?	The different areas of human trafficking are; Forced labour, such as domestic, military, mining. Prostitution and sex slaves.	I was aware of human trafficking into prostitution. I didn’t know about the forced labour, especially military.
What is being done to fight this problem and help the victims?	This is a global problem, on an international level we have the “UNODC” doing research and field work. The “NGO” is a non-profit organization, helping victims and doing research.  In the US they passed an act in 2000 to help the victims. They also have “VTVPA” monitoring and trying to stop human trafficking.	I was not aware until I read this how many organizations were involved and how this was affecting every country.

Body Ritual Among the Nacirema

Body Ritual Among the Nacirema

By Horace Miner

Affective reading method

 

This story is written to demonstrate seeing the strange in the familiar and the familiar in the strange. This writer has taken everyday things that Americans do and made them sound like rituals performed by a tribe called the Nacirema, which if you look closely is actually America spelled backwards.

Once I realized what was going on I felt shocked. While reading this I thought these rituals sound bizarre and terrible. To my disbelief those bizarre and terrible things are actually things we all do.

I think that this story sends a very clear message. After reading this you really start to think of all the people in the world that you  have judged and realize that you can be judged just as harshly.

I believe this story paints a clear picture that the day to day things we do in the Western part of the world may seem very strange to others.

I know now that when I read or hear something and think it is bizarre or wrong, I should look closer and try to see the familiar in the strange, and not judge so quickly.