Tuesday, April 27, 2010
American Indian Center Visit
Today I visited the University of North Carolina’s American Indian Center. I have visited all of the center's asked to blob about, but I chose this one because I knew the least about it. Having been there to plan an event, I was interested to see what I would gain from this visit this time. However, I believe because I was really looking to see what the center offered and how welcoming they were, I gained a new perspective with a new body of knowledge about their community from JOMC 441. Previously, I went there to plan the American Indian Extravaganza during Week of Welcome (WOW) 2009, but the amazing resources were not highlighted for me. Native American students, because they are so few in number, have the benefit of a center where they can get help navigating a campus where many of the people do not look like them. In the Center, there are three professional staff members that are able to answer any questions that students may have about anything from free tutoring to multicultural programming to various tribal leadership workshops. Additionally, there were a number of informational pamphlets, library texts and also historical site explanations around campus such as the union breezeway brick work for Senora Lynch. The center is small spatially but offers a great deal to American Indian students and student of other races to learn about the Native American influence in the UNC culture. I felt very welcome when I arrived and very informed when I left.
JOMC 441 Extra Credit
Tunnel of Oppression
During Fall 2009, I applied and was accepted into a fellowship under NASPA, which is a professional organization for student affairs professionals. This fellowship was truly a step in the right direction for me as I will attend the University of Georgia’s College Student Affairs Administration program as a part of the 2010-2012 cohort. One of the most beneficial of aspects of this fellowship was the mentor component. Through my mentor, I was able to join a committee to plan the Tunnel of Oppression. This event was an interactive, multimedia guided tour to immerse students into situational oppression that they might not otherwise experience.
The reason this project was so important was that student were given an opportunity to learn from the vantage point of others. The concepts presented and issues addressed were everything from sexuality to religious oppression to relationship violence. Going through the Tunnel myself was very effective because I was able to see but also interact with people I would not have ordinarily. Amazingly, at the processing stage of this was where student were able to engage in discussion and open up about their feelings and the effectiveness of the tour. Though I was on the marketing team, it was amazingly to know that 90% of the spaces available were filled by student groups and individuals.
During Fall 2009, I applied and was accepted into a fellowship under NASPA, which is a professional organization for student affairs professionals. This fellowship was truly a step in the right direction for me as I will attend the University of Georgia’s College Student Affairs Administration program as a part of the 2010-2012 cohort. One of the most beneficial of aspects of this fellowship was the mentor component. Through my mentor, I was able to join a committee to plan the Tunnel of Oppression. This event was an interactive, multimedia guided tour to immerse students into situational oppression that they might not otherwise experience.
The reason this project was so important was that student were given an opportunity to learn from the vantage point of others. The concepts presented and issues addressed were everything from sexuality to religious oppression to relationship violence. Going through the Tunnel myself was very effective because I was able to see but also interact with people I would not have ordinarily. Amazingly, at the processing stage of this was where student were able to engage in discussion and open up about their feelings and the effectiveness of the tour. Though I was on the marketing team, it was amazingly to know that 90% of the spaces available were filled by student groups and individuals.
JOMC 441 Extra Credit
Black State of the Union
As a member of the Theta Pi Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, it was the job of myself and a few other ladies, to find an event that would align with our national programs and also fit with Skee Week to celebrate our charter history. The State of the Black Union was an event created and cosponsored with the Political Action Committee of the Black Student Movement at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The event was set up with four panelists and two moderators who specialized in different fields. Some of the people were very connected to Chapel Hill and some to communities farther away. Together they were able to give educated opinions on the questions asked by students attending the event. The culture and tone of this event was one of hope and inspiration for students to begin connecting themselves to an issue that they can relate to and improve through service, education and resource. Most of the attendees were African American, few were mixed and very few were white. Expected to be very successful the event merited having the Daily Tarheel staff to write about it. Indeed there were very dignified scholars speaking about the issues occurring in the black community, but the most stimulating comment was one from a student. From him, I was reminded of the situation from whence we (the Black community) came and how we need to look back and help other obtain success as we have.
As a member of the Theta Pi Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, it was the job of myself and a few other ladies, to find an event that would align with our national programs and also fit with Skee Week to celebrate our charter history. The State of the Black Union was an event created and cosponsored with the Political Action Committee of the Black Student Movement at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The event was set up with four panelists and two moderators who specialized in different fields. Some of the people were very connected to Chapel Hill and some to communities farther away. Together they were able to give educated opinions on the questions asked by students attending the event. The culture and tone of this event was one of hope and inspiration for students to begin connecting themselves to an issue that they can relate to and improve through service, education and resource. Most of the attendees were African American, few were mixed and very few were white. Expected to be very successful the event merited having the Daily Tarheel staff to write about it. Indeed there were very dignified scholars speaking about the issues occurring in the black community, but the most stimulating comment was one from a student. From him, I was reminded of the situation from whence we (the Black community) came and how we need to look back and help other obtain success as we have.
Monday, April 26, 2010
JOMC 441 Extra Credit
For the 2009-2010 academic year, I served as the president of Carolina R.O.C.T.S. (Rejuventating Our Community Through Service). The organzation plans, organizes and supervises the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day for Service each year. The goal is to unite Carolina students, faculty and staff together to do service in the community, "taking a day on instead of a day off." During Fall 2009, the program logistics are planned under my leadership, with extensive help from the organizations advisor. Being involved in the organization for the past three years, I have only been apart of the planning of the event, but I truly believe in my service, creating an opportunity for others to get involved in their community. This year Day for Service was more rewarding for me because of the increase in volunteers and more importantly the diversity in the attendees. There were many new faces and a tremendous amount of energy and excitement for new projects.
IAT
I took the test on race, where the results said that I was moderately in favor of African Americans over European Americans. My expectations of the test were very different. I thought that because the test was based on the science of psychology that it would have random images other than just faces. Once before I took a test on negative and positive associations and the variety made the test more interesting.
I find that the result were probably very accurate, but still a bit surprising. Growing up in a predominantly white environment all my life (church, school, extracurricular activities), I was always intensely acclimated to that culture or lifestyle except for my home and family life. In no way would I say I am racist, but when I finally was allowed to attend public school, I gravitated toward people who looked like me.
During the IAT, I must admit that I was very focused and concentrated on answering accurately. I noticed that as it got more complicated and descriptions were combined, I had trouble associating my own race with bad things. This did not make it easier to do for European Americans but by default I answered incorrectly for some of those as well. Interestingly, it was more difficult to answer the questions at the end because it was more of the processing from the exercise which may have come too quickly.
I find that the result were probably very accurate, but still a bit surprising. Growing up in a predominantly white environment all my life (church, school, extracurricular activities), I was always intensely acclimated to that culture or lifestyle except for my home and family life. In no way would I say I am racist, but when I finally was allowed to attend public school, I gravitated toward people who looked like me.
During the IAT, I must admit that I was very focused and concentrated on answering accurately. I noticed that as it got more complicated and descriptions were combined, I had trouble associating my own race with bad things. This did not make it easier to do for European Americans but by default I answered incorrectly for some of those as well. Interestingly, it was more difficult to answer the questions at the end because it was more of the processing from the exercise which may have come too quickly.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
The Story "Hundreds of Babies" Dick Gordon
For this assignment, I chose The Story "Hundreds of Babies" with Dick Gordon. This show was about a man named Roody Joseph in Haiti and a woman named Melody Wen Zhang from China. Both stories focus on the earthquakes that have occurred recently in those countries. The title is appropriate because the central idea of both stories is the trouble with the children as a result of being hit so badly from the earthquakes. Though Wen Zhang's work delivering medical supplies and other items occurred in 2008, she is reminiscent as she learns of Joseph's dedication to finding baby supplies and other items in 2010.
I appreciated the stories shared on The Story. It was very interesting to hear the audio clips entered into the show as supplements to the talk show. Very interesting material became a bit repetitive and monotonous as the show continued. I was, however, very impressed by the sacrifice and dedication of the two people to make a difference and to hear them discuss the internal feelings and thoughts. One aspect worth mentioning was the fact that they both mentioned the media in some form and how they were motivated by the portrayal of the situation. Additionally, I was glad to hear a personal account of the tragedies but also that they remained focused on the mission: saving the children. Never really listening in on this type of radio show, it was helpful to have the short musical transitions to pace the listeners.
I appreciated the stories shared on The Story. It was very interesting to hear the audio clips entered into the show as supplements to the talk show. Very interesting material became a bit repetitive and monotonous as the show continued. I was, however, very impressed by the sacrifice and dedication of the two people to make a difference and to hear them discuss the internal feelings and thoughts. One aspect worth mentioning was the fact that they both mentioned the media in some form and how they were motivated by the portrayal of the situation. Additionally, I was glad to hear a personal account of the tragedies but also that they remained focused on the mission: saving the children. Never really listening in on this type of radio show, it was helpful to have the short musical transitions to pace the listeners.
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