The Lack of Multiculturalism and how it Affects Students

In my Social Justice class, we read an article about the lack of multiculturalism and how it affects students. The article basically described how many students of color are treated as a collective rather than an individual with diverse thoughts, ideas, and perceptions. Many times in classes, mostly those with just one or two students of color, the student of color will be asked racial questions with the assumption that are going to represent the “Black, Asian, or Mexican” point of view. I was in this situation before where I was asked “Do all black people love chicken?” Personally, I love chicken but how was I supposed to speak for all the other black people in the world. These questions make minority students feel alienated and isolated due to these inhospitable practices. Many times, the experiences and existence of these minorities are belittled.
These injustices and wrongful assumptions are, in a way, not the fault of the teachers, but more of the institution’s fault. There is a lack of faculty of color which makes up the institution. Studies have shown that faculty members provide a needed outlet, support system for students, especially minority students, one that is often missing in the majority environment. Faculty of color provides someone to talk to, and turn to for advice. When frustrated and feeling alone, the faculty members of color bring diversity and a sense of comfort, which most students miss when on campuses that is not as diverse. Here at DU, I have friends who desire a professor of the same color that they can talk and look up to. However, with the lack of faculty of color, this is near impossible. I feel that more faculty of color will decrease these tensions and will create a “shoulder” for these students of color to lye on.

RE: The Singer Solution to World Poverty

This article was amazingly interesting. In this excerpt, a man risks the life of a child for his car which will appreciate in value and earn him a lot of money in the near future. Instead of stopping a train, that was about to hit a child, with his car, he chose to allow the train to hit and kill the boy. He stood there and watched the life of a human being get taken. What a sight!
Many people may look at this as an example of bad moral standards and ethics. It was mean and careless to allow this child to get killed, especially when he could have made a difference. However, the author poses a great question. Is it just as wrong to watch children everyday in our country as well as overseas die from poverty? Many Americans, including myself, never donate any money to help the needy. We could be saving lives as well. However, we risks the lives of men, women, and children everyday by shopping for desired goods, going to fancy restaurants, and attending all of these extra leisure events that are not necessities. Even the people who donate, do so stingily. People who donate could give more, keeping in mind as much money as they waste every year.
Astonishingly, we are in no place to judge this man as to whether or not he was morally wrong. We sit and watch millions of people die everyday, just as he did with this boy. Although he watched physically, it still does not make a difference. This is actually what we do everyday. Whether firsthand or not, we still allow lives to be taken when there is a difference we could be making. After reading this article, I feel differently as to why I don’t donate. This article appeals to pathos in a way that it reaches out to readers of all audiences in an effort to show how we watch people die, and sacrifice our own personal enjoyment for a life. I feel like the man who sat and watched the child die. We need to implement change and turn things that are not necessities into saviors of people’s lives.

Civic Engagement

Robert E. Litan proposed a plan on making it a requirement to be civically involved and to participate in service protocol. I think this is a great idea, however, one that needs some revision and analysis. Our country and society as a whole would definitely benefit from this. The involved individuals would gain an enormous amount of civic engagement and personal experience. They would become aware of various issues going on around us. Also, this would be great intentions for social need, and any other issue that needs to be taken care of. Civic engagement requirements would ensure benefits. However, will benefits be ensured with those who unwillingly volunteer and look at the requirement as something in which they have to do rather than want to do? I think not!
I am in the Social Justice Community here at the University of Denver where we have to complete a service protocol requirement of 40 hours for the academic year. I became involved due to this requirement, but also because of personal interest. At the Community Reentry Project where we help re-incarcerated people get out of jail and make than transition into society as comfortably as possible, I work in the food bank and also do office work such as filing, data entry and I administer intake assessments. I enjoy the work that I do. I feel like I am making a difference, especially knowing how re-incarcerated people get the run around when dealing with criminal backgrounds. However, others on my floor who are not so interested in volunteering dread being civically involved. They take negative attitudes to the sites and do not value the personal experience and knowledge that is available. I’m sure their negative perspectives equal less quality work and even discourage their fellow workers.
Civic engagement should not be a requirement but rather encouraged. This should not be forced upon people who have no desire to volunteer and give back to the community. Civic engagement can also be inconvenient for people. People work, participate in extra curricular activities, and have many other obligations that would infringe and collide with this requirement. Based on personal circumstances, what is convenient and a great opportunity for one person may not necessarily be for another person. I think that wanted to volunteer is a major factor in volunteering, as well as having enough time. Although Robert has proposed a plan that would be great and beneficial, there are some setbacks and underlying factors that need to be weighed.

Rhetorical Analysis Experience

Writing a rhetorical analysis has opened my awareness to how complex arguments can be. Whenever I constructed an argument, I took a stance, in other words, made a claim, and used evidence to support my position. Usually, I would construct a five paragraph essay, the first paragraph being the introduction which contained my stance on a topic. The next three paragraphs would be the body, usually with three supporting pieces of evidence, whether it was personal experience or facts. My conclusion would be the last paragraph which merely summarized my argument. However, I was not aware of the various components of a well developed and thorough argument.
Writing a rhetorical analysis has showed me how the writer is supposed to identify his/her audience, and present the audience with appeals which aid in their argument. These appeals influence and strengthen the writer’s argument. They establish connections and relationships between them and the reader, which in turn establishes rapport and trust. The way one approaches the argument such as the style, language and claim is also a vital point to pay attention to. Arguments are not just words. It is a cleverly, structured paper with many elements that compliment the argument. I feel confident that I can now write a more adequate argument. Knowing how to define my audience and to use certain appeals seems very helpful for me. I want to be an attorney, so arguing is a huge part of my future. Now that I know how to structure one, I feel confident in myself and any stance that I take.

Caucus Systems Exclude Many who want to Vote

I definitely agree with Jodi Katz, who opposes caucuses in a sense that they are not inclusive and exclude many people. As stated, caucuses are only convenient for those who do not have conflicting schedules and transportation issues. However, what about those who do? I, for example, had midterm exams to study for on Wednesday, which made the caucuses very inconvenient for me, even though I would have loved to participate. I am also not able to vote for caucuses because of my state of residency. Furthermore, my state of residency should not be held against me during caucuses. My input and choice of presidency is just as great as any other vote. These caucuses wrongfully exclude those who want to participate, but can not. I can empathize with his first hand.
Systems should be designed so that the consensus of the total population is taken, not just a handful of those who are available. By excluding people who could not make it out such as the disabled, workers, parents with no sitters, and students, just to name a few, you are only getting portions of what people think. As citizens of the United States and of these future presidents, it is critical and vital that we be included. It is aggravating and demeaning to know that systems are being formulated to encourage participation to only a few. I think that there should be online or paper caucus ballots to include everyone. This is fair and there would be a better voter-turnout rate, both now and in the long run. If people feel included and a part of what is taking place now, then they’ll be more apt to participating later on.

Free Speech and Cultural Terrorism (SJC)

I am in a living and learning community called Social Justice. As a Social Justice member, I have to take a social justice course that broadens our perspectives on various issues, events, and statistics around us. During one of our reading assignments, we read about free speech and cultural terrorism. The article was very enlightening and interesting in a sense that it discussed real life situations in which we overlook, yet know they are there.
I could agree and relate to the low statistics of minorities who don’t serve on college newspaper staffs. When the article discussed how few minorities and people of color go into journalism and writing, I almost said to myself, “Damn right!” Studies have shown that many students of color go into business, law, and the medical field because these are sure and definite ways to success. As many of us are first generation students, we feel an obligation and pressure to go far and succeed. Journalism is not guaranteed success. Many whites go into this field because some of them have wealth, so if it doesn’t work out, they have families and wealth to help support them. I feel as though I only have 1 chance, and I will not mess that up. Whereas whites have more options in some cases, I have to make the best of what I have, what I can get, and what works for me. And that aint’ journalism. When writing a journal, a story, or a newsletter ensures a mortgage payment, car note, food, and personal pleasure, then I will partake in it. Until then, I will be the next Johnny Cochran.
Minorities have a lot of pressure on their shoulders. When going to college we are expected to do this and that, and in the end, make this amount of money, not saying that whites do not have the same expectations. Culturally, whites will do what makes them happy whereas minorities and students of color have to beat the system and find a sure way to success. We have to make a difference and not be a statistic of low wage earners. It is understandable for minorities to not pursue journalism and be staff members on the newspaper committees. Many non-minorities do not face some of the same issues that we face. It is not that it is a waste of time, but more that we have to find and take a sure way out, and journalism does not promise that.