My Social Action Project Progress

I have drafted my surveys questions and began editing my interview questions.  I have scheduled interviews with the two administrators I wish to speak to, and will be conducting those in the weeks to come.

My next step is to send out my surveys and begin organizing the responses.

What Can I Do With a Major In...

...Bilingual Elementary Education?

I plan to teach in a general education classroom, utilizing both English and Spanish in my curriculum and tweaching methods.  I plan to immerse my students in culture, arts and history of various cultures while providing a quality, differentiated educational experience.  I also plan to assist in ELL programs within my district and help guide those students to find their most successful path.

Response to Shitty First Drafts

I like Anne's intention with this article.  It seems she wants to ease the fears and anxiety associated with writing for many people, which is a very admirable effort.  She chose to write in very common vernacular to make her young reader feel more comfortable right off the bat.

I like what she says about the "child's draft."  There is no reason we can't just let it all out in writing, then go back and organize our thoughts.  This way, we ensure a more thoughtful final product.  I think this article is excellent in reiterating the point that writing does not have to be a daunting task.  It is a great deal of work, but most of that work is just revision.

Great article.

Discussion 4 Articles

I felt these were solid articles.  Being as topical as this issue as at present, I chose not to spend as much time on the articles as I normally would have.  They dealt with issues that were somewhat "outside the box" and may have been difficult for individuals not well versed in the gay community to understand.  The articles dealt with very specific subcultures and issues within the gay community, and when educating the masses, it's important to start at the beginning.

I felt the articles did lend some good information to start our discussion.  I am personally used to speaking, acting and singing in front of groups, but it was a slightly different ecperience opening up about the personal issues that I did.  The discussion went very well, and I was very appreciative to those individuals who spoke up and asked questions, as well as those who were engaged listeners.  I could see that some individuals were very visibly uncomfortable discussing the topic (body language and eye contact were a big indicator), but it is my hope that they were at least able to hear me and start challenging (or strengthening) their views.

Mock Interview Reflection

I interviewed Frank, inquiring into her future post-college goals.  Frank plans to work as an educator, but also work as a motivational speaker for teens.

I found it easiest (although more time consuming) to conduct the interview conversationally, creating a relaxed and casual atmosphere.  I will conduct my interviews in a similar manner, as I find interviewees are more comfortable opening up.

Response to "Finding Your Own Voice"

Lamott believes writing is personal, and must be fresh and progressive.  In order to be progressive in one's writing, Lamott stresses that we must be courageous by bringing a new perspectrive to the table.  It is emphasized that we have to go to the places we have been told not to.  She uses the phrase "rearranging furniture" to describe what academic writing is without progressive qualities.  Simply put, we are just reitterating what's already been said.

I like the idea of writing as a contribution to the dialogue.  Writing a paper is like pulling teeth if I am not passionate about what I am saying, and I know many students share this sentiment.  Writing is an opportunity for many to voice the strong notions they may not be able to verbalize in their daily lives.  I live my life as an open book, and am very honest and verbal about my values.  For me, writing is another chance to share these perspectives with the world, and to contribute to the dialogue.

Response to Bullying Segment on Anderson Cooper

This is an issue that has really hit home for me on many levels.  I feel so fortunate that brave individuals like Ellen are speaking out on this issue.  I believe this will be a very important topic of discussion for a long time to come, as it should be.

When Anderson had the eight high school students talk about their exeriences, it broke my heart.  One boy said that he was called a "faggot" at least ten times a day.  This is an outrage.  This crisis will not be put to rest until we, as adults reconcile our fears and ignorance, so that we may start practicing love instead of hate.  We must lead by example.  If we don't speak out about homophobia,

I have done outreach with gay teens, and the one thing I always tell them is something Ellen said on last night's show - "It does get better."  Being a teenager is difficult enough.  Being surrounded by hatred makes it all the more frightening.

The dialogue has been started by people like Ellen Degeneres, Anderson Cooper and Kathy Griffin.  We have to ensure this conversation continues.  The first step to conquering ignorance is to inform.

"Ignorance, the root and the stem of every evil." - Plato

Response to "Asian Lesbian's Struggles"

What does it mean to be a visible or invisible minority?
- Visible minority primarily has to do with skin color.  Invisible minority status are the things that one cannot see by looking at us.
- This issue comes into play in a big way in Hate Crime Legislation.

What is "sticking to your own kind"?  Why do people do this?
- It is simpler to surround oneself with like individuals.  This way, we are free from outside ignorance to our minority status and way of life.  From this practice, many subcultures have formed.

What is the main identity struggle for the author?  How is she overcoming it?
- She has had difficulty identifying with other Asian persons, due to the community in which she was reared.  Her culture was not prevalent in her area, and so she identified much more with Caucasians.
- On top of this issue, she is also gay.  You are a member of so many groups that you you don't really connect with any of them.
- The fact that she is speaking about her struggle in this article tells us she is overcoming this hurdle.  Communicating the issues and learning to accept oneself seems to be the solution for many of her woes.

Do you tone down any aspect of your identity in order to fit in?
Every day.  It is difficult to relate to many individuals in the professional setting if you automatically let them know of your sexuality.  I am always sure to show my professional quality and worth before discussing my sexuality openly.  This is a learned behavior.

Response to "Adopting the Principle of Pro-Feminism"

Perhaps I am slightly affected by the images in the media.  When in a photo shoot, I regularly joke to the photographer that I want him to "Photoshop the hell out of me until I look like an Olsen twin."

My friends and I sawa  video where a group of men mocked the way women talk to one another.  We were at first offended, then realized the actors were spot on and accurate.  As part of my personal identity, I relate more with females.  We communicate openly and analytically.