DRAFT: This module has unpublished changes.

Below is a link to a Social Justice lecture I attended in ED 105 and wrote an overview of for extra credit.

WWII SJ Lecture (Fall 2015).pdf

 

Below is the link to my overview and reflection for Lonely Swallows, a movie about mixed ethnicities in Japan and the social justice issues that surround it. I attended this movie for my First Year Seminar as well as my Japanese class.

Japanese- Lonely Swallows- SJ.pdf

 

In my SED 222 course, I underwent a disability simulation where I had to put beans in my shoes to represent arthritis, as well as had a yard stick taped to my left leg to represent an orthopedic disability. I spent an hour pushing a wheelchair with a fellow student participating in this simulation in it. Dr. Tyminski had my group do various activities on campus to see how difficult it truly is to get around every day when you have a disability. It opened my eyes to how poorly prepared our school, and most places, are in regards to accessibility for people with disabilities. I now have even more respect for those who get around in such conditions on a daily basis. I would love to see more progress on accomodating people with disabilities of all sorts in the college and in the community as a whole.

 

On February 28, 2017, I attended the Leffler Lecture for my Diveristy class (PE 172). Below is the reaction paper I wrote for the course.

 

Leffler Lecture with Michele Norris

            I had the honor of seeing renowned journalist and author, Michele Norris, speak at this year’s Leffler Lecture. She had view points and realities that had never crossed my mind before. It was enlightening to hear her speak about diversity and how it has impacted her as an African American woman.

            She is the force behind the Six Word Stories that have been used all around the country. I did not realize how deep six words can be for someone. She spoke of some of the responses she received from the stories and I was astonished by some of the blatant racism some of the people had faced. The story that had hit home with me the most was of the woman who took her husband and baby to a formal dinner and was then asked to leave by the host because their presence made the host uncomfortable. No one stood up for her and no one argued with the host. I found myself taken aback by this at first, but, after looking back on my past, I realized that there are situations I could have and should have spoken up in as well.

            Michele also brought up the point that discussing race is hard. Because it is hard, it makes it difficult to know what to do or say when confronted with a topic or issue dealing with race/ethnicity. Nobody wants to step on toes or to bring about an argument, but the topic should be breached somehow in order to work past it and have a better level of understanding for both parties.

            I think the biggest point that Michele made tonight was that, for people to become more understanding and to better themselves, they have to be able to talk about the issues and, more importantly, be able to LISTEN to them. This applies not only to race/ethnicity, but to religion, socioeconomic background, and many other things. If people listen more, there could be less fighting and tension. If you are not willing to listen to someone, then you are never going to understand completely or improve your knowledge of the situation or issue. As a future educator, I think this is something important to teach children in life. Teach them to listen to one another as well as talk to one another. Even adults will be able to learn more by doing this. I am so glad that I was able to attend the lecture and learn this.

DRAFT: This module has unpublished changes.