Youth In Pursuit

https://www.facebook.com/pursuityouthexpo

The Pursuit Youth Expo was an event created by Nicole Onuska, a CSU Monterey Bay Human Communications Senior anticipating Graduation. This event was created by her required Capstone Project and came into full effect with her hard work of wanting to create a day that was dedicated to students and helping them find what they are in pursuit of. The typical capstone is known as a 40 page paper for HCOM but Onuska decided to take a path less taken.

Nine different high schools showed up ranging from Monterey to Greenfield. Groups of students were matched up with volunteered CSUMB College students as guides and work shopped what it is exactly that they were in pursuit of.

Steven Goings, a former CSUMB student asked, ‘what is something that you would work and put all your effort in without pay, whatever your response is to that answer is the thing you’re in pursuit of.’

There was a ton of activities prepared for the students. There were three workshops focusing on the topics: purpose, vision and networking skills. Everything planned was interactive. Onuska and her team wanted to make sure that the day constantly flowed, and that students will be encouraged to think critically about who they are, what they want to pursue, and how they can do that while still in high school. “College Guides were reinforced into the workshops because they were there to assist the students to share their insights and perspectives,” Onuska said. Students were also given the chance to interact with professionals by bringing in leaders during lunch time to talk with students about the importance of service, how it’s connected with their profession, why being passionate about your career is important, etc. “There was also an expo of various organizations that offer volunteer, intern or mentor opportunities that students can tap into – and so much more,” Onuska said excited.

 

Students began to think and write out exactly what they were in pursuit of ranging from love, becoming a pediatric nurse, basketball player, and more. They all saw Volunteering as something important along with interning and mentoring. A speaker at the event announced, ‘it’s not what you know, or who you know, but who knows you.’ It was stressed that with applying yourself to certain activities such as interning and mentoring you will develop professional relationships with powerful people who can hopefully enhance that.

Students who came to the Pursuit Youth Expo all found out something new about them whether it was a personal characteristic that they never knew they endured, a new goal in life that they want to achieve, or just a lesson learned. Christian Mendoza, Central Coast Senior said that, “he learned his strengths and passions.” Yvette Ochoa, North High Freshman learned that she can pursue anything if she puts her mind to it and that she should always push herself further and further.

Nicole’s whole purpose of this event was to encourage students to engage in different types of service whether it is; volunteering, interning or mentoring. “By getting involved in these service opportunities, I believe that students are able to develop multiple skills and strengths that will benefit their academic, professional and personal lives. Not only does getting involved with service hone a variety of skills, but also it allows students to explore and discover who they are, what their passionate about and what their purpose is to contribute with humanity. My overall goal for PURSUIT is that the students get something out of it. Whether it be: know that they have purpose, pursuing their interests and passions, seeing the benefits and mass opportunities found in service, or just realizing the importance of preparing one’s self for life. This is event is for Monterey County High School students, not for me,” said Onuska.

As a young 22 year old woman Onuska created an event that was successful on all accounts. After hearing everyone’s pursuit it was of much interest as to what Mrs. Onuska was in pursuit of. She stated that, “my passion and purpose in this world is to empower and provide resources and information for our youth to help prepare them for life and so they may realize they too have a purpose in this world. My faith and values encourage love and serving others – this is what motivated this event. Also, I love children and I love every community that I am in that I wanted to do a project that I could give back to Monterey. I didn’t want to just write a research paper. I wanted to do something much more meaningful to others and me.”

Nicole stated that, “helping others is something that’s in her blood.” From the positive comments of students, faculty, and staff it is believed that she was telling the truth.

With activists like Nicole we can hope for a world of change to be continuously paved by our youth.

Racism on Campus?

http://www.cyprusupdates.com/2011/01/new-law-to-combat-racism-and-xenophobia/

     I recently was leaving my dorm to head to my class this past Thursday when all of a sudden someone shouted out, "I HATE BLACK PEOPLE!" The comment threw me off and reminded me of the ignorance that is still around no matter how much the world has evolved. To hear someone shout that out offended me and left me a little puzzled as to why they had the need to shout that out. Did that person specifically not like me and chose to say something that would cause a reaction from me, did they have no clue who i was and just did it for kicks and giggles amongst their peers... perhaps? I was unsure how to go about the situation. I have heard racist comments before that were directed towards me and I have either confronted the circumstance or just shrugged it off in regards to that persons ignorant statement. According to the book Outspoken Free Speech Stories, I have taken both the aggressive and passive actions towards what I would consider hate speech. I was unsure on whether or not I should report it to a police officer so that they aware of the situation in case it were to happen to someone else. However I began debating with myself on whether or not the matter was important enough to report. We have all had someone say something hurtful, mean, or offensive. We ourselves may have been the one who has said something to another individual that may have not been considered kind. So how do we determine if remarks made are classified as punishable hate speech or just another form of protected free speech?
     In class we have been looking more in depth at hate speech and protected free speech with recent articles and readings. One example of free speech was presented to us in a class handout about a civilian from a small town who decided to hand out fliers to the public informing them about his position on homosexuals and how the educational system doesn't need to permit any laws requiring students to be informed about various sexual preferences. The townsmen went on to call them sexual perverts and wanted to organize a meeting to help stop this current law. A Lesbian Mom living in the community was extremely offended by it in regards to the fact that her child got a hold of the flier as well as she herself being a lesbian. She claimed that the flier raised intentions of intimidating the gay community. The argument however, in the local townsmen defense is that the flier never portrayed any intent of harm just his free speech on how he felt about homosexuals and what he wanted to do to prevent schools on informing the youth about it.
      A personal case that I felt could relate to this was recently when I went to a comedy act featuring Amy Anderson. She was Asian American and chose to poke fun at all the jokes that are made towards Asian Americans such as; how people have yelled at her Asian speaking imitations, physical distinctions, and more. The audience including myself was shy to laugh because the jokes she made depicted her race in a negative light. However, she would constantly encourage us to laugh saying that it was okay. Throughout the skit she asked if the audience had any questions or topics to talk about. One student yelled out, "What about how you guys cant drive!" There was an immediate awkward silence after he made his comment. Amy told him that if he wasn't a college student she'd rip him a new one! She then asked him what his race was, he told her Puerto Rican and she replied back by saying that she would never want to drive there and everyone cheered and clapped for her quick remark. I pondered about the situation in the students defense. Amy Anderson of Asian descent was making fun of her own race by restating the Asian jokes she has heard since she was a child and told us to not be shy and laugh. The student who made the remark was just going along with characteristics that he himself and many of us have heard about Asians. However when someone who isn't Asian says it, it's offensive. Don't get me wrong, I am not condoning racist jokes or remarks but I don't think Amy should have been shocked due to the environment she created with her comedy piece. I just feel that people should not be shocked or offended when hearing a stereotype of any race when they themselves were poking fun at it.

http://www.nmci.org/

     For example, I'm African American and a very popular term used within our race is the N word. I am not a fan of it and choose not to use it in my vocabulary. The N word was a term to degrade the people of the African American culture. Now that we are in the 21st century a lot of African Americans are stating that they have reclaimed the word and use it as a term of endearment amongst other fellow African Americans. However when the term is used by people outside of the African American race people within the community become offended and those people are considered racist. However I feel as though people outside of the Black Community use it because their is so much exposure to it, especially with music. The Hip Hop Industries artists use it constantly amongst rappers such as Lil Wayne, Kanye West, and many more. These artist are very popular in today's youth culture and have a fan base world wide. Naturally fans of someones music will sing a long with the lyrics that they have known to love and memorize. So if an artist says the N word like a lot of Kanyes and Lil Waynes verses do the fans regardless of what race they are, are repeating those exact lyrics back. I myself listen to these artists however I don't sing a long to when they say the N word and if someone I know chooses to sing that around me I politely ask them not to because I take it as offensive. I hate the N word and choose to not use it and become offended when anyone within my race or outside my race says it. Is the N word a form of hate speech or protected free speech? According to certain regulations that we have been reading in class I feel as though its protected speech but I myself categorize it under hate speech.
     For example, recently there has been news wide discussion on whether or not the N word should be removed from books that have educational value, I myself think it should be. My father himself said he remembered when he was a high school student and his teacher would say the word because it was in whatever textbook that was being taught to the class and how he would cringe every time he heard it. To some they might see these textbooks informal with no intent of harm. 

http://info.lecturetools.com/blog/bid/39488/How-Technology-Empowers-the-Shy-Student-to-Participate-in-Class

     All in all there is a gray area between hate speech and free speech. There is no black and white about the situation. What some people might see as free speech such as the student who yelled I hate black people, or the attendee at the comedy act who referenced Asians as bad drivers, or the teacher who reads aloud the N word because its in the textbook may have no intent of harm however could be doing just that.

Occupying Our Education One Step at a Time

According to the Occupy Education Organization, this day of action is a coalition of more than 80 local, labor and community groups across the country fighting to guarantee the right to education for everyone.

Occupy Education is based on the constant educational crisis that we have been facing as a country due to the current economic recession. This day of action coerces with the Occupy movements that took place last year in October with Occupy Wall Street being the foundation of it all. 

http://occupywallst.org/about/

The Occupy Wall Street Organization said that the movement was for the 99 percent; students, teachers,parents, unions, first responders, families, the unemployed and underemployed to finally be heard and no longer silences. Occupy Wall Street's purpose was to strengthen democracy and to end the domination of big money interest (also known as the one percent). Occupy's purpose was to bring an awakening to the people and it did just that. 

Over 1500 cities across 82 countries took part in protests for the Global Day of Action, including Monterey. An assembly at Colton Hall was “occupied” by Occupy Monterey with over 300 attendants of supporters and protesters ranging from California State University, Monterey Bay (CSUMB) students and faculty to local residents. Everyone who took part shared the same mutual feeling of national frustration with the economy.

The same frustrations are reoccurring again with more of a focus on education. Students, including both K-12 and higher education participants are fed up and irritated with the way things are being ran.

CSU’s are fixated that the Chancellor and Board of Trustees are the main problem towards increased tuition, cut courses, and unemployed faculty.  Chancellor Reed better known as “Chancellor Greed” to Occupy Protestors is the root of concern for CSU’s.  According to CSUMB’s Students for Quality Education believe that the problem originates within the governing. Trustees of CSU’s are not elected by the people but appointed by the Governor. The problem is that those appointed have a tendency to be wealthy lawyers, CEO’s, and others who represent the corporate interests of the 1%.

If the Board of Trustees were to be elected by the people, including the students and faculty who are being affected, would there be a difference in the way higher education is being ran? Would the Trustees exemplify and demonstrate a more well governed education system that is beneficial to the 99%? Only time will tell, but in order for things to change people need to take action and Occupy Education motives are just that. 

I myself attended the day of action, it was exciting, moving, and a great environment to be in overall. At first I was a little overwhelmed with the signs held by protesters walking around in a circle chanting,"Hey hey ho ho, these budget cuts have got to go!" I wasn't sure if I was brave enough to make a statement in front of a bunch of people. However one of the protesters handed me a sign and waved me to join in, and I did just that. I went from being scared to feeling infatuated with a compelling need for change. 

I joined in with the chants and marched with the other students, professors, staff, and everyone else who joined in. I later on attended the discussion in the Student Center. We discussed tuition increases and how it has affected us. We talked about the debt concerns that come with college, the prolonging years added due to courses being cut, and the fear of not receiving a job that coerces with our major due to the economic struggles resulting in less jobs for we the people. 

We ended the conversation with 'whats next?' We all know about the annual marches and participate in them when the time for them has come, but what do we need to do next to make a change? 

SQE recently set up a sit in at the library on Wednesday, March 7th. Students were sent an email on Tuesday, March 6th advising them to come into the library's cafe at 11pm and to move into the computer lab around 11:30pm with their homework prepared to study even though the library normally closes at 12am enforcing a 24/7 hour library around midterms. On March 7th the Dean of students, Christine Erickson, sent out an email at 2:17 pm stating that the Library would stay open for Midterms from March 7th to the 16th in response to student requests. I believe we definitely made a change.

SQE members stated, "Collectively we are the University-and without students, there is no university."

A Little Bit About Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday signifies the first day of Lent, which is the 40 day period before Easter. I attended the service at California State University, Monterey Bay in the Student Center to get more of an understanding and the meaning of it. The event was hosted by the Newman Club and Father Manny, a local priest, who conducted the service.  The room was filled with  students along with Monterey locals who came together embracing their religion.

http://concordpastor.blogspot.com/2012/02/where-do-ash-wednesdays-ashes-come-from.html

Songs were sung with lyrics such as, “Be merciful Oh Lord for we have sinned.”  Along with singing there was a part during the service when students were marked with crosses on their foreheads. I was unsure about what the crosses meant so I got some answers. According to the President of the Newman Club Chrissy Depweg, Senior, Mathematics Major said that Father Manny placed ashes in the sign of a cross on the foreheads with ashes that were blessed and mixed with holy water.  The ashes are made from palms that were blessed from the previous year on Palm Sunday.  Depweg went on to say that the ashes signify mortality of life and are asked to renew themselves to repentance.  The saying that Father Manny said as he placed ashes on the foreheads was "Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return".  This signifies the symbol of repentance, sorrow, and humility.  The ashes were made in the sign of the cross to signify the Holy Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Students throughout the day who attended the service continued to wear the marking of the crosses on their heads proudly.

Fasting is also a part of lent and according to Depweg during Lenten season it is known to also fast and abstain from meat on Fridays. Catholics are also supposed to refrain from a certain necessity during the process of the time. During Father Manny’s preaching he said, “that by fasting we are making ourselves more available to God.”

He continued by saying during lent we must ‘fast’ from certain things and ‘feast’ on others. He emphasized that a lot of people during lent fast from sweets or watching TV and are missing the primary purpose. He said that we should fast from anger and feast on patience, fast on worry and feast onto hope, fast from bitterness and feast forgiveness.  He pointed out that lent does not increase Gods love for us because he already loves us. Lent is for making one more open to God, to become like Christ to one another.

The Newman Club holds a Roman Catholic Mass every Sunday at 6:30 pm in the Meeting House.  Depweg said that Mass is important to their faith because they are able to receive the Eucharist, which is the Body and Blood of Christ.  Eucharist means "thanksgiving" as they are giving thanks to God for dying of our sins.  Everyone is welcome to our Mass, Catholic and Non-Catholic.

Dupweg along with the Newman Club invites everyone to their weekly Sunday mass with Father Manny.  In special news, the Bishop of the Monterey diocese, Bishop Garcia, will be presiding over Mass on April 1st, which is Palm Sunday! The Newman Club will also be hosting an Easter mass on Sunday, April 8 in the Student Center again at 6:30pm.

I feel as though it is important for people who follow a specific religion to learn the methods of others and the reason for it. Understanding multiple religions allows one to gain knowledge that can enhance their certain beliefs and maybe even understand others.

Black History Month

http://blogs.houstonpress.com/artattack/2012/02/top_10_films_to_celebrate_blac.php

     Black History Month, a time where every one takes great recognition towards African American individuals who have led the righteous path that we now walk on today. We listen to Dr. King's famous I have a dream speech, watch re enactments of Rosa's Parks stand against discriminatory behavior, and admire Harriet Tubman  for her courageous strength for creating the road to freedom. These African Americans are  the definition of leaders, but who else made a difference. We tend to take notice of the most well known African American historical figures during Black History Month which is great, but in this post I wanted to devote attention to the not so recognized ones that have made great changes for both me and you.

http://quietlunch.com/tag/shirley-chisholm/

     Shirley Chisholm a woman known for her unfearful personality of challenging the status quo got her self a seat in the New York's State Assembly in 1964. In 1968 she was the first black woman to ever be elected into the U.S House of Representatives Congress. Her goal was to always advertise education for the youth at an early age which was made possible when she later then became a member of the Education and Labor Committees. During her time in this Committee she fought for; women rights, Native Americans, Haitian refugees, migrant farm workers, and the poor. She worked on behalf of African American Colleges, became an early member of the National Organization for Women, Co-founder of the Women's Political Caucus, and founder of the Congressional Black Caucus. A women of success to the fullest devoting her time to help not only her own race but the other minorities as well.
    Chisholm also played a part in ensuring that the MLK day we celebrate today was to become a national holiday. After Dr.King's assassination in 1968, legislation for a national holiday to be celebrated in King's honor was proposed by Michigan Congressman John Conyers but was put on hold. Chisholm joined forces with Conyers to resubmit the idea every legislative session until it was finally passed in 1983. She died in 1991 at the age of 80 and was asked before how she wanted to be remembered and she responded by saying, " I'd like them to say that Sherry Chisholm had guts..." I for sure will remember Miss Sherry Chisholm as just that.

http://www.af.mil/information/heritage/person.asp?dec=&pid=123006470

     Guion Bluford, 'in West Philadelphia born and raised' (had to throw a Fresh Prince shout out in there) born on November 22, 1942 became the first African American astronaut to ever go into Space in 1983. His historic fly was also the first nighttime launch and landing. Bluford was also a Pilot for the Airforce and an aerospace engineer. His education consist of many degrees. Bluford has received a bachelor of science degree in aerospace engineering from Pennsylvania State University in 1964; a master of science degree with distinction in aerospace engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology in 1974; a doctor of philosophy in aerospace engineering with a minor in laser physics from the Air Force Institute of Technology in 1978, and a master in business administration from the University of Houston, in 1987. The sky is surely not the limit for Bluford.
     I wanted to bring attention to other African American heroes of both historic and recent times, and I hope this post did just that. Even though Black History Month is almost over I don't think that we should stop celebrating and continue giving recognition to the success of those that have made a difference. Keep on Celebrating!
   


   

Oreo Girl

     A problem with many minorities is what I would like to call 'racism within the own race.' Growing up I was constantly called an Oreo, this is someone who was Black on the outside but according to others acts white on the inside. Other names I was called was 'white washed' or just plain 'acting white.'

http://www.thewritecurldiary.com/2010/06/why-i-love-ravy-sparkles.html

     The saddening thing however is that the people I mainly heard it from were people within my own race. Don't get me wrong my friends of different ethnic backgrounds would also use these terms, however I laughed not realizing that both my friends and the people of my race were viewing me as the stereotypical African American.
     The view that Blacks are all ghetto, neck snapping, lip smackin', gang banging, single parent, under age Moms, high school drop out, unemployed beings. The problem with this is that Black people themselves are saying it when we should be offended.
     We have all gotten the look (being any race of color) when walking into an expensive designer store and the clerk doubts that you can even afford anything or may even follow you around the store suspect that you might try to steal something just because of the pigment of your skin. We have seen the woman clutch onto her purse a little tighter when realizing that there was a person of color crossing her path. The way this needs to stop is with ourselves. We can't be teasing our fellow youth when they choose to read books, study, speak articulate, or advance themselves in any way shape or form because that is not acting white that is acting like a determined well educated being!
     A great example of racism in America was demonstrated on ABC's television show 'What Would You Do' where they hire actors to be put in certain situations where civilians are expected to interfere. On the episode focused on racism they had an actual migrant worker go inside a coffee shop to order a drink using Spanish with an actor who acted as the annoyed cashier who tells him to go back home and when in America to use English. The scenario causes the Migrant worker to be very hurt by how rude and in agreement the civilians were to the fake cashiers views that it brings him to tears.
     Another example of racial profiling stereotypes is addressed in a film called Crash. This movie illustrates very well the stereotypical views that we as people both do bluntly and not so obvious. This film contains scenes of how African Americans are percieved as criminals just based on first glance or how the wealthy rich woman may assume that her Hispanic workers may be thieves just based on appearance.
     Unfortunately in real life we don't get that blunt realization where everyone has the epiphany that we should all just get along. However I do believe it starts with 'we the people' and stopping others when saying racial slurs, jokes, or anything to the nature of demeaning our diverse races. Whether Black, Hispanic, Mexican, Caucasian, Asian, Japanese, Indian, etc. We should not play into the stereotypes that everyone else believes or even our fellow races that have been misguided into believing it, take a stance and stand up against any form of racism.
     For the longest time I was convinced that there was something wrong with me. I thought I was a disgrace to the Black race and I just wanted to be like the other Black girls and boys at my school who 'acted Black.' I used to wish that I had different parents who were more 'Black,' when the truth is there's no specific way of acting Black or any race for that matter. Don't fall into the stereotypical views that America perceives us to be, beat the expected by doing the unexpected.
     If you have a story or example of not so blunt racism like mine or even blunt racism please do share and your reaction towards the situation and whether or not you did something about it and if you were happy with the way you went about the situation. I encourage any race to share their stories, this is how we get the word out.

My Thoughts and Ambitions

     I like honesty, but then again what person doesn't. I express my free speech through poetry and creative writing. I am a proud mixed baby of both Mexican and African American descent. I feel that we the youth need to realize the privileges we do have due to our ancestors sufferings, commitment, and bravery.We must come together in order to continue finishing the path  that our elders have left for us. We need to take advantage of the resources we do have and use them to our best abilities. 
     I love to learn artistically and hope that I am able to do that through my blog. I'm a Human Communications Major with a focus on Journalism and Media Studies. My dream job is to become a news broadcaster and I plan on making that happen with self dedication towards my studies. 
     If anyone were to describe me I think they would say that I have a very happy, go-lucky, care free kind of attitude. I don't like to stress about the little things in life because I know that there is someone out there with even bigger issues on their hands. So I walk around with a smile eager to learn and ready for action.  I'm extremely ecstatic to be doing a blog for this class! I have never done a blog before and I feel that this is a great start and very beneficial towards the line of work that I want to do. 

                              http://amiratulnadiahhasan.wordpress.com/2011/09/15/race/ 
  My goal is to inspire other people (Miss America Pageant answer) I know. However it's the truth, if I can make one boy proud of his multicultural background I would be thrilled. If I can encourage girls to start using their voice, no longer afraid of what others think then I would be even more motivated. As a young adult I feel as though it is our duty to encourage other young adults, teenagers, and kids that we have a voice and should never second guess ourselves whenever wanting to use it. If you have something to say SCREAM IT! It's our right, it's our first amendment, it's our liberty of free speech.