Educating our Youth

Frankly, school assignments that require you to visit other places or meet with other people have just annoyed me in the past. I am always too busy and felt like the “extra” work throws a wrench into my usual schedule. However, I am excited about the ethnography assignment that we have been working on. My first visit to the community that I selected is this coming Tuesday, October 10^th. The reason for my excitement is that this community, elementary schools (specifically Title I schools), has been on my mind a lot lately. I have been hearing a lot of personal feedback from teachers that work at these schools and I am disheartened to hear about their struggles. It seems like there is a lot of resources that are unavailable to both the staff and the students. The classroom sizes are too large and test scores are more important than really working with the students.

I am sensitive to this subject because education is so important. If we really want a better future for our country, for this world, we need to start with proper education of our youth. If people are not educated on the issues, or made aware of what is really happening, they will be ignorant of the changes that need to be made. I can personally attest to this. I know far too many people who are wonderful people but they are unaware. They don’t know what minorities must struggle with on daily basis because of their ethnicity. They listen to the bickering through the media and have not done empirical research to uncover real facts. Yes, media can deliver the truth but it is swayed by the person who is delivering the message.

Our children can be the change that we are looking for! We need to supply them with the tools that they need to become aware and strong. I hope that education can become a priority in the United States. To me what is more beneficial that knowledge?  

Saturn Return

This week has been a week of reflection for me. To be honest, over the past couple of years there has been a lot of irritation and discontent built up inside of me. There has been a lot changes occurring in society and within myself. I can help but to think of the Saturn return.  Every 29.5 years the planet Saturn is in the same place as it was when you were born. In the first Saturn return, between the age of 27-30, you will experience a lot of obstacles which will help you grow. I just turned 30 this past month and I feel like I have been through a lot of obstacles the past few years and I have grown from them. However, I also feel reawakened and what I once knew does not sit well with me. I wish that I could say that I have new answers, but I feel less certain than I did before. I am not sure if this is because I am realizing that we really can never be too sure of anything or if I am just lost. I would like to think that it is another sign of growth- excepting that I do not have the answers and I am willing to be open minded.

The adversities that we are facing as a nation frustrate me because I feel like we know what needs to be done, but we are all so consumed with fear. Action is being stalled because of fear and greed. I contemplate about which political and economic strategy would be best for this country, but I realize that there will never be an ideal situation. Humans are imperfect, we always will be so. I think that the best answer is acceptance and kindness. Getting angry and frustrated only fosters more chaos. We should not point fingers and blame one another. We need to love one another, no matter how different we are. Because, really, we are much more alike than we are different. 

Las Vegas

It would be no surprise to read that this week has been a rough week so far. Another mass shooting taking innocent lives and leaving hundreds wounded. So many things have been running through my mind the past few days. My thoughts are rapid, yet long winded. I find a thought branching off unto a completely different scenario. I hate to be pessimistic, but dreadful things happen every day- all around the world. I absolutely mean no disrespect to those that have been harmed in this horrendous act and my heart is full of love and blessings for all those that have been affected. The truth is though, the world has seen hatred through violence as far back as the history of man goes.

I mention this fact because I have been hearing a lot of comments about how horrible things are currently in the United States. I agree that we as a nation are much more divided but I do feel like this is because action is occurring, some much needed action. Looking back through history there has been far too many senseless acts that resulted in the death of innocent lives. I would love to see peace on Earth and even though it may not be possible, I think that we should keep trying. It is easy to want to give up and to believe the worst but good things do happen. For every horrible act there is another wonderful act of kindness that is displayed.