Let's Talk About Race

I came across this really informative website called, Race-Talk today and read an article about a Jamaican woman in England who lost her son as a result of racial hatred. Her story seemed to be one of frustration about the justice system in her country. I thought to myself, "How could I be so naive as to believe this only happened in America." Every nation faces issues with their justice system and the fact that at times, seeking justice is not their main objective. Oftentimes, they're just looking for someone to blame, whether said person was the culprit or not. And where is the justice in that? This philosophy does no one any good. The innocent sit behind bars while the guilty run rampant. This also leaves the family of the victim to sit up at night uneasy because the police have given them a false sense of comfort. Lot's of change needs to happen, but I can only take baby steps.

RGLND - 'Vision'

I Am a Golden Flash

It's official! I have roughly two months of summer left until my long awaited move in date of August 25th. On this day I will take my place as a Kent State University Golden Flash, a Public Relations major, and a hater of all things Akron. I'm too excited to function! At the same time, I feel like I'm sitting around waiting to start school instead of really enjoying the summer after my high school years. Even though I'm working, I still feel like I don't have enough to do. Oh well, I'll figure something out.

State/Federal Budget

As long as there is no set government budget, it is likely that my father (internal revenue officer) will not be going to work on Monday and even more likely that he will not be getting paid. My mother has been working for about one month after being unemployed for over two years. All of this comes of course at a time when my parents are preparing to send me to college and my sister the year following.

We are only one family. I am certain there are more facing way more difficult challenges. The future of America is not looking so bright, but before we make the issue national we have to take a look at what’s going on at the state level. I live in Ohio and I’m sure we are not the only state facing budget cuts. Our brilliant governor, John Kasich, has decided that our public schools should take the hardest hit. I attend THE most diverse high school in all of Ohio. Princeton High School. No race/ethnicity holds the majority of our school’s population. Because of our size and diversity, we spend above the average amount of money per pupil. Why? Because we had the money to spend.

In 2004, a process to reduce the amount of funding our school received went into affect. We lost the Tangible Personal Property tax (TPP). Princeton is made up of eight or nine different communities. In these communities are several big businesses. (Avon, Ford, G.E.) We received tax dollars from the business and now we will no longer be receiving them. This was supposed to be a gradual decline over several years, however Kasich has required that our school cut 12 million dollars from our budget for next year. As a result, many of our staff has been RIFed.

AMERICA, OHIO: we would not be in this position if people did not vote on impulse! Nothing is more frustrating/scary than a misinformed/ill-informed voter. GET EDUCATED!

I Just Can't Find the Words

I’ve had a lot to say recently. Sadly, I’m still working out the wording. I have also been in the college planning process, adding to my extended absence of postings here. If only I had some money, this process would be so much easier.

My dad acts as if the process is easy. It would be if we had nothing. He forgets that he got his education paid for because he was able to show himself as independent from his parents. Things have changed and I’m not afforded that luxury. I actually have to work for mine. Not to say that he didn’t, I’m just saying it’s harder now because we’re not in poverty nor do we have an abundance of wealth.

Dilemma? Eh.. Sure, but I don't see a way around it other than my inconsistent grind. Inconsistent because, well.. It's certainly not a continuous effort on my part. I allow myself to feel defeated at the first sign of opposition and that is an issue I hope to adjust quickly.

E-mail from my mother

It read:

“You will learn the hard way that people in the street DO NOT have your best interest at heart. You better ask somebody…you have many examples in your family.”

That’s odd? I suppose she shows that she has my “best interest at heart” by expressing her lack of confidence in me. “People in the street” pretend to care. That is more than I’m getting here. She didn’t even bother coming downstairs to say this to my face. So instead of letting her be a coward and replying to her e-mail, I took the argument directly to her. Again, we talked about respect, which at this point has becoming a running joke in the house. Respect? I handle mine in person. She has 30 years on me, and supposedly knows so much more than I. I’m glad I’m not looking to her as an example. What kind of adult would I become? “People in the street” have made me who I am. I guess she deserves a little credit. For making me a bitter eighteen year old.

Speeches

I don’t like giving them, but I rarely have a choice. Usually, I can get through them scratch-free and maintain composure. This time, however I seemed to fall apart.

I was way more prepared than my delivery showed. I knew exactly what I was going to say. It didn’t have to memorized, but I felt fairly comfortable going to sleep last night. I had my intro down and everything. (I used the Albino Skunk post.)

I thought I was ready and got in front of the class and felt sooo uncomfortable. It may have been the subject. Me. I’m fine with sharing my findings of a particular issue, but when I have to “introduce” myself, I get apprehensive. You want me to think aloud? In a public forum? About myself? I was completely removed from my element and didn’t realize it until I opened my mouth to speak. Throughout the entire speech I was shifty-eyed and awkward. I fumbled over words and made public speaking mistakes I knew I was making as I made them. It was terrible.

Ask me to deliver a speech on a someone else, a research topic, or maybe even something I’m passionate about, but please don’t make me share what I’m thinking. That’s what this is for.

Found

The assignment was to create a poem out of words we found around the room. This is what I came up with:

Expression gives way to individual thought.

Doubt can change that mood.

The Hero’s prophecy expresses passion;

A haven for thought that falls

Beautifully on his brain,

Fueling new ideas in the child’s eyes.

"The Doc in His Doc's" by Marcus Donaldson on LOOKBOOK.nu

"The Doc in His Doc's" by Marcus Donaldson on LOOKBOOK.nu: "See looks like this and more from real people around the world on LOOKBOOK.nu."

Le Roi Lion

I am a lion

Filled with a passion to serve.

I wear the armour of a warrior

Rebelling against standards and expectations.

My pen speaks the words I won't

And when my pen is silent,

My heart explores other avenues.

Movement and song are my friends.

They remain in my corner

And prepare me for the fight.