Underlying Racism

Although we now have a black president, there is still a lot of underlying racism in our country. After all, our president is still half-white. The minorities in this country have to prove to others that they are just as good as the majority, or the dominant group, also known as the whites. For instance, if you are a minority interviewing for a position that a white person is interviewing for, you better be certain that you have more experience on your resume. Even that will not guarantee your being hired for that position.
When people of minority backgrounds enter a store, they are looked at suspiciously, but when whites enter the store they are treated like real clients. How is this fair? Is my money not as good as his? I came in here to buy something and that other person is just browsing, yet you still don’t give me the time of day.
We like to say that we have gotten rid of racism in our country, but we haven’t. It is still very apparent in all aspects of life, whether it be driving to work or just walking down the street. We act differently and we become more aware of our surroundings when we feel uncomfortable. But really, this is just the fear of the unknown. The only way to fix this is to educate yourself about the different ethnicities that you come across in your life. Once you know a little more about their culture you might be surprised how much you have in common with them. So instead of just looking at someone’s skin color or presentation as a judgment, why don’t you try and find out more about their culture first. You could just end up with a new friend.

Cultural Norms

If you really observe your world around you, you will pick up certain cultural norms. Unwritten rules, if you will. In fact, cultural norms are happening every day. For example, there are specific cultural norms that everybody seems to follow in a classroom, such as always sitting while the professor is speaking, not talking on your phone, taking notes and paying attention, and not causing a scene during classtime. One big cultural norm that occurs here on Manhattanville Campus is the tray in the cafeteria. Nobody uses it, yet it is so practical. Ideally, you could get everything you wanted in one sitting instead of getting up 3 or 4 times just to get another dish. Apparently, using the tray is not cool, though. I was even told on my first day of orientation to not use the tray because then I wouldn’t be cool. Even though I pick up on this cultural norm, I do not think that I will ever violate it.
One of my favorite examples of a cultural norm occurs in any local Target or CVS. There never seems to be anybody browsing the condom isle. It’s like you just go in, take which ones you think you want, and leave. The catch is that you always buy normal things to go along with it, such as shampoo, maybe some paper towels or a toothbrush also. You can’t just buy condoms.
Although I want to stand up to some of these cultural norms, I do not. Sometimes I think if whether I am following the crowd, or if it’s not such a big deal. I mean, they are kind of like unwritten rules to our society. Either way, most of them do not seem to be affecting anybody in a harmless way, so why not stick to what I’m comfortable with? Maybe one day I’ll break out of my box and use a tray at
Manhattanville College.

Explicit Lyrics

It seems that the more liberal we become the more bad things we can say and get away with, especially when it comes to rap music. The lyrics talk about everything from drugs to demeaning women with sexual behaviors. And people seem to think this is Ok! In fact, the albums with the explicit sign on the front are the most bought albums. Nobody wants to listen to clean lyrics anymore; it’s all about the dirty. Maybe it has to do with expressing our inner, more angry selves. If singers are expressing themselves through their lyrics, why can’t we express ourselves too?
Sometimes these lyrics come with a price. Even though we are protected by the First Amendment for Free Speech, are we going too far? There is no use in putting other people down, including your competition. Since this is done in the musical industry, we, as consumers, think it’s Ok to put people down around us. Music has brought us a lot of good beats and lyrics and happiness, but it has also brought us into lyrical turmoil.
Playing the devil’s advocate, I also see the good in expressing yourself through music, even though it could put down others. After all, we are entitled to it, so why not use it? It is a great stress releaser, and there have been so many accounts of where music has quote “saved my life.” People relate better to people who sing about real-life scenarios, not just sunshine and rainbows. That is why, as much as I do not agree with some lyrics, I agree that musical artists should always be allowed to express themselves, whether with explicit lyrics or happy, harmonious melodies.

McDonaldization of America

The United States of America is facing many challenges. One of these challenges is childhood obesity. There are more overweight children in America than in any other nation. The number one place to blame: McDonalds. They started the fast-food chains that are now taking over all of America: the McDonaldization of America, we like to call it. Kids all around the world know what McDonalds is. Every child in America has tasted the hamburger happy meal and was rewarded with a toy. So now, children think it’s good to eat hamburgers and fried chicken nuggets because they are rewarded with a special toy catered to their age group. How do we fix this problem?
Certain corporations are taking a stand against childhood obesity by replacing vending machines and soda machines with healthier and more nutritious snack options. More fast food restaurants are adding salads and other healthier options to their menus. But is this really working? Apparently, childhood obesity rates are declining, but not fast enough. This seems like a battle that we will have to fight for some time in order to get it controlled. In the meantime, I will stay away from fast food and vow to take care of myself so that I do not become a statistic.

Importance of Sports

Throughout my life I have played soccer. Soccer has kept me from getting into trouble on the streets. It keeps me grounded and disciplined. It helps me with my time management. Most importantly, there is nothing like that accomplished feeling you get when you have a team of brothers who you know will always be by your side.
With most children and young adults, sports are a key aspect in one’s life that keeps the person away from violence and danger. This team atmosphere is what builds high self-esteem. The encouragement from your teammates is the best kind of encouragement because it makes you feel accomplished and ready to take on any obstacles. The sense of belongingness is fulfilled because you do belong; you belong to a group that is all striving for a common goal. Each person has their role, or their responsibility, to fulfill in order for the team to succeed. The feeling of accomplishing your goal is a natural high; and the best feeling of all is walking off that field dead tired, but with your head held high knowing that you did your best.

Materialism

What serves as one of the top five economic supporters for the United States? Material objects. As Americans, we are obsessed with buying the next new thing. It ranges from clothing to electronics to cars. Anything that will make us stand out and make us look good is what we strive for. The media does an excellent job of convincing us to buy all these things; most of which we do not need. Why can’t we just be happy with a car that gets us from Point A to Point B? Why do we feel the need to “pimp out” our vehicles with all these extra add-ons? Are we striving for being different? Or are we striving to see who is the best?
I know I have personally been affected by this materialistic outlook. I look at the brand names on all my clothing. If I see something new and trendy, I want to buy it. For some, this need to purchase new items is a disease. Their credit cards are maxed out, yet they still keep purchasing. We could blame the credit card companies for allowing us to make such reckless purchases, but they’re not the real problem. One of the most difficult treks in life is the trek to be you. So really, it is our faults. We should be able to resist all these sales offers and commercials telling us that we aren’t cool unless we have X. I, for one, am ready to take a stand. Who’s with me?

Aggression

Aggression seems to be a prominent problem in today’s society. Is it because there are more stressors in life? Is it because of popular steroid use? Or does it just seem more prominent because of the media? You can watch any type of fight on the internet now. Just type in what you want to see and there it is, right in front of you, one click away. Why do we love aggression so much?
There have been studies suggesting that men seem to be more aggressive than woman. However, now these studies are being replaced with new studies about women being just as aggressive. It seems to be ok for everybody to lash out at everybody else. Examples such as road rage and bar fights are prime topics. So why does fighting seem to be the answer to everything?
What about video games? Almost all video games are filled with violence. In fact, in order to win, you must have to have the most kills with most games. Does this make our society more aggressive? There is definitely a possibility of video games causing more aggression, but not the type of aggression such as going out and buying a shotgun and shooting everybody you don’t like. The type of aggression seen after violent videogame playing is seen in the cognitive process of the gamer. The violence desensitizes the gamer to what would be dangerous situations and it makes people more likely to act out in violence. However, videogames will always be part of popular culture, so in order to stop violence, we should educate the public, and especially parents, about reality versus fantasy so that they will be more aware of their violent actions.

Moving to A New Place

One of the most difficult choices we face in life is the decision to move to a new place, away from home. For some, it means moving in with a roommate or a girlfriend or boyfriend, and for others it means moving to college dorm life. Nobody prepares you for what you will experience in college. High school was supposed to be the time of our lives, but really, I think college is the time of our lives.
College is a time of creating yourself. Discovering your true values and morals. You are tested beyond your capacity in college, and I’m not talking about academically. College introduces you to all types of lifestyles. You learn that not everybody is as neat and tidy as you. You learn that there are many world-views and perspectives that you would have never thought of before. Most importantly, you learn how to be away and independent of your family.
There should be a handbook given to every incoming freshman about what life on campus is really like. Nobody told me that I would need to be extremely focused in order to get my work done. Nobody taught me the laundry etiquette rules. Nobody told me that eating at the same location week after week would desensitize me to “bad” food. Then again, nobody told me that I would meet my second family in college; my family away from home. Without my friends I would not have made it through college. Nobody told me that the support and encouragement from my professors would allow me to be the best that I can be. You know what? I’m happy that I never had a specific handbook about college. I would rather learn the hard way anyways.

STRESS

Stress an issue that everybody has to deal with on a constant basis. Stress to me is something that is built up over a period of time and you just have no way of dealing with it. Basically a bunch of things that just get build up and causes you headaches and low tolerance. But that’s my own personal view, everybody could view stress in their own way and of course everybody deals with stress differently.
As a college student stress happens very often. Stress comes from all different places school work, friends, family, boyfriends/girlfriends, you job, and if you’re an athlete maybe your sport could cause you stress as well. Now maybe not all of this may apply to everybody but these are just some issues that an average college student may deal with.
From friends and my own personal experience I feel the worst time of the year for a college student is finals week. With all the work that gets pilled up and studying that you have to do cause a lot of stress. Mostly because most college students tend to leave everything for the last minute.
I’ve read an article on stress, and the ways to cope with stress. I found it very interesting just because as simple as it sounded it made a lot of sense. One of things the article touched upon was a way to vent. Talking to some and trying to be more organized could help you relieve from stress. I did this and it definitely helped me be less worried about a lot of things.

Summer Is The Best

Summer one of the best seasons in my own personal opinion. I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone in my life who has hated the summer. Even studious students love the summer, just because you don’t have to worry about school. Everybody has their own reasons of why they love the summer. When I was younger me and my friends loved the summer because we got to sleep in, now that has changed I love the summer now just because I get to work and make some money and I don’t really have to worry about much. Summer is a great time to travel with your friends or family.
Summer is full with activities, you go to the beach, you go swimming and you can throw nice little barbeques and have friends and family over. But like every season you have your negatives. Such as it being to hot and humid to even do anything. When it gets so hot you feel like you don’t even want to do anything but just stay home and in the AC.
The best thing about the summer is all the activities you do are outside, there’s no more excuses about not being outside, unless it is to hot. But for the most part you can do whatever outside. Which makes it great because sometimes I feel we are unappreciated of mother nature has given us. We as people tend to forget what we have and what we should value especially the way things are now with global warming and everything else that is going on in the world now of days.

LOVE

Love is a very hard topic to talk about. When I talk to my friends and ask them if they ever have been in love one out of every five of my friends I ask says yes, the rest say they thought they have but then realized they weren’t really in love. This happens a lot especially to adults our age 17-24. In my own personal opinion I feel a majority of guys are more looking to stay single and be able to mingle. Where as girls are more looking for love but there is some exceptions for girls. Some aren’t really looking for a relationship or looking to mingle. They just want to be single and its just one thing less they have to worry about. Being in a relationship is hard, and its even harder when your in college.
I feel at this age many of us want to be able to do a lot but not willing to let their loved ones or boyfriend and girlfriends do it. In a way that’s wrong but we all have done that before, and if you say you’ve never been in that situation then I’m sorry but I find that very hard to believe. What causes all this stress in a relationship is the partying and wanting to hang out with all your friends and trust becomes a very big issue. Trust and communication, I believe, is the key to any relationship and without this your waiting for a heartache, because trust me its not like when you break up one of you guys lose, you both lose. (Eachother)

QUAD JAM 09

Quad Jam is an event that occurs every year at Manhattanville, usually towards the end of the year. In many ways this event is a way to relieve stress. Quad Jam is held one week before finals. It is a fun filled weekend. You have your spring formal, followed by Quad Jam. Quad Jam is a day were you spend the whole entire day on the Quad with your fellow peers. The school manages to get a bunch of games on campus to enjoy the day. Students gather together and drink all day waiting for the main performance, which you have every year, and this year it happened to be Pitbull, a rap/reggaeton artist.
The funny thing about this event is everybody waits for this day to happen because they know what is going to happen and the school isn’t stupid. They know what goes on during this event, they know all the students on the quad are drinking but really don’t say anything to you unless you’re very blunt about your drinking or you are just making a complete fool of yourself. As the sun goes down and it starts to get dark, there is always something going on campus. Right before you get to the big performance, they have fireworks which set the mood for some and other just waiting for the main event. Everybody gathers around stage after the fireworks and watches the performance. As soon as this is done, everybody heads back to their room to party some more, or straight to the after party which is held in the cafeteria. In the cafeteria they serve food from 11 pm- 1am and play music at the same. So in some way this a club slash nice midnight brunch.

"Do the Right Thing"

So i just got out of class and once again i saw another movie called “Do the Right Thing” a movie directed by Spike Lee. Spike Lee is a well known director. What Spike Lee tries to do is show people the struggle of an African American or more referred as blacks. This film is a very controversial film. It demonstrates a lot of power and negativity all at the same time. The film takes place in the summer, due to its hotness and lack of air conditioners peoples tensions tend to be at a high. Spike Lee plays a major role in his own movie as the character “Mookie”.
Women aren’t really in the picture as much as the other problems that Spike Lee is trying to get across. But from what you do see, are two strong independent women. They are Jade which is Mookie’s sister and there is Mother Sister who is an old lady who is stubborn mainly at one person (Da Mayor) she is very high opinionated about a lot of things and isn’t afraid to speak her mind. All which show a high strong independence. Mother Sister can be portrayed in two ways either the one that people go and confide in and ask for advice or as a old stubborn old lady. But one thing you cannot take away from her is her character, she has a strong personality and not afraid to speak her mind. Jade on the other hand is quite different; she is younger but a very intelligent young black girl. She works and can support her self as well as her brother Mookie. She has her own apartment which she shares with her brother Mookie but pays most of the bills. She is a kind and very charming person all which respect her for that.
They both show a high strong character in their own way. One is very loud another is very quiet. But they are both effective and well respected in their own manner. Living in a community like that and to be respected shows a lot of character. They both can managed to live on their own which shows a lot of independence. And the respect they get from everybody shows a lot as well.