Comments

http://hu002.blogspot.com/

My question to you is what are you going to do about it? I mean I understand what they were saying, but I probably won't do anything about it. I'm just telling the truth. We say so many things are problems, but we rarely do anything about them.

http://kevhowardu.blogspot.com/

It's very hard for me to have an opinion on this. I have two very conflicting points of view. I've always thought that suicide is all on the person because in the end, it's their choice to do what they do. But at the same time, I recognize that external influences can have internal consequences. Furthermore, I never understood why LGBTQ individuals are the ones committing suicide. I feel like if you know you’re going against the norm, then you have to have the strength to take adversity with it. It’s the same with any objections of the norms of society. Is it still wrong? Yes. But is it going to change anytime soon? No. Therefore maybe we need to teach our kids about toughness. It's something that people lack today.

http://dominiquealexis.blogspot.com/

I feel as if you should be able to call yourself whatever you want to call yourself. But more importantly, we must recognize that we are all human beings. The idea of classification is the reason many wars have started. From race and ethnicity, to religion, classification divides people into separate entities. Recognized differences is why people conflict. I not saying we shouldn't recognize our differences because that is what make each person unique. But we should accept each person as a human being and move on.

http://ashleywsays.blogspot.com/

Being that I am from Texas, I think the US should get involved of this. Drug trafficking is ruining our communities. They are driving drugs into them. If the US doesn’t get involved of this then there will be no border patrol, and it will only get worse.

http://semimelyssa.blogspot.com/2010

I understand what you are saying about guns. But it is our right to "bear arms" through the second amendment. So we just can't get guns "off the streets." It's their right to hold it. What I think we need to do is to get all guns registered. There needs to be a way to track if people are buying guns illegally. That's where police are failing.

The Tea Party??? Hmmm...

The Tea Party is a mockery of itself. Where does there name come from? Are they making a reference to the Boston Tea Party where colonists refused to pay taxes on the British tea and destroyed all their tea? I feel as if they are degrading a notable moment in the history of the United States. The Tea Party isn't defending their well being like the colonists where, they are defending their pockets. The Obama Administration of today has no notable parallel to the British government of 1773. Our government hasn't taxed anyone without representation. I understand that the Tea Party has a problem with government spending and would like the government to have better fiscal responsibility. But do not try to play on the emotions of Americans and use the Boston Tea Party as a subliminal scheme to draw supporters. It's just not moral. Then again, when have politics ever been moral?

Presentation

These are two poems I wrote for my presentation

Beautiful Rise

Oppression is the wisest of the wise
Built like a Roman God: tough and strong
And for so long my people have been done wrong
The rose still blooms as I still rise
The seed of intelligence buried underneath the oppression dirt
Small roots hanging on for dear life
Oppression tortures stabbing with a butter knife
The seed is protected; you can do it no hurt
Starting to grow to the brink of breaking the surface
And when it rains it pours
Ready to breathe on the open shores
My God cries on me to give me his purpose
Sun shines on its thimble thorns
Red as fire but soft as a white sheep
Once was in a forgetful sleep
But it's time to sound the horns
I've seen the ones that silently lay rest
But now I'm fully-grown
Blowing left and right from the airs soft whisper tone
My people shall stay on top, now the dirt’s oppressed.

Unity

Everyday I celebrate unity
Because I feel it's my social duty
Not to see race
And not to see the color of your face
Bcuz at Howard were climbing an expontential pace
To work in Gods Grace
We've created a strong base
Of different personalities
Let's work towards racisms fatality
Because discrimination still has mortality
I'm telling you now believe it because it's reality
But we can make this change
The time is now; the sweet bells rang
I'm so ready to get this problem slain
Because I celebrate that we aren't all plain
If this is crazy I don't wanna be sane
I have true hope for this town
That no discrimination call pull us down
Let's be the best; let's wear the crown
You may ask Mr. Derrick how?
And I'll say let's continue celebrating unity now
I don't need Michael Jackson to say this is it
Thank god I'm not my ancestors the saw the bottomless pit
But because of their strength and endless wit
I can stand up here and present my skit.
Ima end this now but I have things to say
Let's set the path; make them follow our way
We don't need the sun to make a brighter day
Because leadership is influence so it's okay
To let the others come and play......
This new game we call unity.

Awareness Letter

211 Elm St NW

Washington, DC 20001

November 23, 2010

Barack Obama

President

United States of America

1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW

Washington, DC 20006

Dear Mr. President:

I am a freshman at Howard University. My recent move from Texas to Washington, DC, has assimilated me into current politics. I feel it’s now my duty to know what is going on in the capital of my country since I stay here now. I have been delighted with your recent efforts while you have been in office. I even commend you of your effort to bring bipartisan policies into effect. However, I still have a problem with the education system that Americans face, and I feel that we are going the completely wrong way with trying to fix it.

During your campaign run, and also while you have been in office, you have clearly stated your opinion on education in America. You even gave reasonable solutions, but I still feel as if you’re not addressing the real problem. The greatest area of concern to me is that America focuses too much on trying to compete with other nation’s education system that we are not realizing were not reaching our full potential.

Your ideas of creating head-start programs and strengthening the core of K-12 schooling are excellent idea, but if the main goal is to try to catch up to other countries, then everything you are trying to do is pointless. I know from personal experience that other countries to reaching their full potential either. Through the diversity of Howard University, I am blessed to see many ethnicities. They have a very strong sense of education, but I feel that other ethnicities as well as we could be working a lot harder than we currently are.

President Barack Obama

Page 2

November 23, 2010

I attended one of our town hall meetings, and I know hearing other students ideas will bring new ideas to the table. I would like to request that you hold another town hall meeting soon to discuss different aspects of education reform can be presented.

Thank you for your consideration. I hope to hear from you soon, and I will be writing again within the next 3 weeks to follow up on your consideration.

Sincerely,

Derrick Simmons

Republicans Takeover

Republicans continue to gain seats in the house. Democrats are continuing to lose votes because they can not win their midterm elections. They have lost 61 seats as of today. I think it is Americans retaliation towards President Barack Obama. They are unhappy with his administrations policies, so they are trying to put opposition as a road block so President Obama can not get anything passed. Yet, what Americans don't know is that this is only going to create more gridlock in Congress. Since the Senate is still controlled by Democrats, there is a likelihood that nothing will get passed. The two bodies of Congress will constantly oppose each others ideas, and this will only effect President Obama more. With nothing getting done in Congress, ignorant Americans will probably get mad at President Obama and not reelect him. 2012 is gonna be an insanely crazy year.

Environmental Justice

The lectures presented to our class about environmental justice on Wednesday were very inspiring. There were so many things that I didn't know about our environment. Racism is not just a social problem, but can also be environmental. We have all been a victim of environmental degradation. However, not all of us have to deal with it. For example, 26 million Latinos live in bad communities. These communities are completely polluted with toxic waste facilities. For example 1/4 African-Americans live in a toxic waste facility. We wonder why this happens. It is because as humans we are greedy. We try to attain power so much that we have no problem suppressing our neighbors. That is why Haiti is still in deep poverty. The world has promised them 8.75 billion dollars yet they have only received 686million. But worse, they have received zero dollars from the United States. We can fix this. EJ Principles are guidelines the community developed for environmental issues of people of color. Other things can be done and we must start now.

Self-Assessment

I usually right about current events. It usually has to deal with something I find of relevance. The theme tends to be about African-Americans or something that the African-American community finds important. I have noticed that the blog has made me more attentive to news now. I like to keep up with current events so I have something to write about. I have actually installed a New York Times application on my phone so I can keep an update on the news while I am on the go. I realized that I love to throw my opinion out there alot. I thought I was just stating the facts but I am very much bias to certain information. I would revisit the Colin Powell post, because I really like what he said about the President. I value that my blog keeps me informed about current events. I am no longer ignorant to what is going on in the world.
I still do not like writing essays. Nothing has changed since I joined this class. I am a math major, so English is not something I am very fond of. My strengths are being persuasive. I tend to give my opinion very well. My weakness is trying to give someone else's opinion. I personally never cared if someone backed my viewpoint. That is why I dont like research essays. I must admit a lot of my times is not used for English. The majority of my time is used for other classes because they are more important to me. I do not think I have learned that much. I already know what to do, I just do not like doing it. The class does not draw me in to keep me attentive. I am more comfortable with using technology. I never had a blog until the class and I enjoy it. I try to keep a broad perspective, but I tend to write for "my people." I have not lived any other ethnicity, so I feel like I can speak for them.

Convocation Speech

With the 143rd official opening of the academic school year, Howard University was blessed to be graced with the presence of nationally known brain surgeon, Dr. Benjamin Carson. It was stated by Howard University that "Cramton Auditorium exceeded its capacity as more than 1500 students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends gathered to hear his message of hope and inspiration." Dr. Carson's main point in his speech was to never allow road blocks on your street of success. Dr. Carson first started off talking about how he struggled in school. It was by his mother's prayer and the grace of God that he is where he is today. One part of the speech that stuck with me was when Dr. Carson talked about his medical school advisor, and how he tried to get thought it was best for Dr. Carson to drop out and use his intellect in some other field of study. Dr. Carson did not let this man get in the way of his dream, and he strived to become what he is today. Through his faith in God, Dr. Carson realized that he could accomplish anything. It is very inspirational to see a Godly man succeed. However, he doesnt define success as the money, the big house, the many cars, and everyone wanting you. Dr. Carson defined success as "taking the talent that God gave you to elevate other people." Dr. Carson exemplifies this as he continues to be a key scholar in the African American community.

Thank you Colin Powell....

Although Colin Powell has classified himself as a Republican, I still have a plethora of respect for him. Not only did Powell endorse at the time Senator Obama in the 2008 presidential campaign, but Powell finally took a shot at his own party for their childish attacks at President Obama. Powell stated that the GOP should be attacking Obama's policies, not other unnecessary things. Attacks on President Obama's religious affiliation and United States citizenship are "child’s play." There is clear documentation that President Obama is a citizen of the United States, and President Obama has stated many times that he is a Christian. Why are questions still coming up about his personal issues? Personally, I believe it is time for the GOP to run a clean race and fight an honest fight. There is no reason to attack the morality of our President.

http://www.kob.com/article/stories/S1750964.shtml?cat=639

Burning the Koran: Right or Wrong?

Does Pastor Terry Jones really have the right to burn the Koran? Well the issue is a question that requires an ambiguous response from every individual. Legally, he is not committing a crime. But is burning a Koran socially unacceptable? In a little document that we call The Constitution, amendment one guarantees America the right of free speech, press, and assembly. Pastor Jones is working within the law,and so is the issue that brought forth the burning of the Koran; Muslims want to build a mosque on ground zero. Is that still a good reason to burn the Koran? Personally, I believe that Pastor Jones has the right to do what he wants to do. I don't condone his actions, but America is based off our freedoms. Would I burn the Koran? No. There are too many ramifications. What if Al Qaeda decides to take burning the Koran as a threat to them? What if Muslim Americans find it degrading, and it just elevates the already mortal tension between Christians and Muslims? But do I believe I have the right to do so? Yes. In the end, Pastor Jones potential actions boil down to two ideas: pride versus protection. Is Pastor Jones going to stick to his word, or is he going to look at the future of the nation and the possible results of burning the Koran?

Its Our Time to Step Up

Barack Obama’s “A More Perfect Union” speech addresses the still mortal race issues that African Americans and the country as a whole continue to face. It is time for African Americans to step up and do something about this racial epidemic. As African Americans, we can improve U.S. race relations by simply releasing and letting go of this built up anger from continued discrimination that eventually turns into rage. Letting go will gain the African American race respect. President Obama(at the time, still Senator Obama) brings forth this issue when explaining Rev. Wrights comments. Wright belittled the  United States and accused the government of hate crimes against minorities. Obama states that Wrights comments came from built up anger that can be attributed to the racial tension between African American society and the predominantt race of America, the Caucasian society. What we (I include myself also because I am an African American) as African Americans need to do is let go of our predetermined thoughts that our "rights" will be handed to to us on a plate. We will continue to struggle if we continue pouting. There becomes a point where we have to make our minds and say “I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired.” It’s a very common cliché, but it’s the truth. There has to come a point where we realize that we can't be angry anymore, and that the only way we will succeed is to build a foundation of knowledge that can then be passed on to our future generation. That means we have to get 33% of black men that live in the “State Penn” and get them into “Penn State.” Only then will we be able to improve race relations. We have to show that African Americans are able to acquire the same level of knowledge that Caucasian Americans receive. When we become Chief Executive Officers of Fortune 500 companies, other races (not just the Caucasian society) will recognize our worth and contribution to the prosperity of this country. But present and future generations have to build off the success already obtained by African American scholars such as Martin Luther King and President Barack Obama. To continue the dreams of “A More Perfect Union,” it is on us to release the rage and strive to succeed. President Obama says, “This union may never be perfect, but generation after generation has shown that it can always be perfected.”

Obama,Barack. "A More Perfect Union." National Constitution Center, Philidelphia. 18 March 2008. Speech.