Multiculturalism and pluralism are both concepts that have been very important to me as a military brat who has been all over the place and as a member of Theta Nu Xi Multicultural Sorority, Inc. So what are they? Everyone defines them differently but I say multiculturalim the embracing of all types of people no matter what their culture is. It's not just about tolerance, its about acceptance. Culture can be anything from your ethnicity, attitudes, the environment in which you grew up, whatever. That's what's so great about it.
Pluralism is when all of these different cultures can coexist in say, one city, or one country.
Both of these are concepts that the United States tries to live up to. For the most part it does...but there are some instances and some people who don't. For instance, when we go overseas, we expect to be able to find people who can speak English, instead of learning the language. In fact, I take that back, we even get mad when people in the United States don't speak English!! Embrace it! In comparison, when foreigners come to the United States, they come prepared to speak English or read English, whatever it takes!! Anyone else notice this?!
Then there is the war. I am not going to argue whether we should be there or not but I sincerely hope that "when/if" we do win this war, we can learn their cultures, embrace them and not change too much of what they have going on there (because I am also a realist I understand that it is unrealistic for us to go in there and not change something when that is obviously the point of us going there).
Regardless of what anyone says, pluralism and multiculturalism can be successful when it is applied accurately. Americans should embrace all cultures whether they are in American or overseas!!!! It's a beautiful thing!!
Adina
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Top 9 Things I Miss About Oregon
9) Knowing where I am. Yes, I'm afraid my east coast geography is a bit rusty, and the fact that I can walk from my apartment to Maryland in less than 20 minutes is also somewhat disconcerting.
8) My car...though it's certainly not a D.C. necessity (I love walking and using the metro) it would sure making moving furniture into my apartment a whole lot easier. Then again, who wants to worry about parking.
7) Recycling...my apartment complex has it, but only for glass, newspaper, copy paper and bottles/cans. What about my plastics, my milk cartons and other things? I'm afraid parts of Oregon are still way ahead of the curve on this one.
6) The water...Oregon has some of the cleanest, yummiest drinking water I've ever tasted. In most towns you can survive just fine without a filter/purifier on your faucet. I've been advised by many not to drink the tap water here in D.C.
5) The Bijou...It's an off-beat movie theater in Eugene that shows lots of docs, independent and foreign films. I love the selection of films and popcorn toppings, which range from the traditional butter to garlic salt, spice mixes and nutritional yeast. It's an adventure! Plus, the fattest house cat known to man resides there. As I recall, he was somewhere around 20 pounds.
4) Tide-pooling on the Oregon Coast...Yes, it's rocky. Yes it's cold and windy. But if you're an Oregonian you love it because of, not in spite of, those qualities. I remember the first time I ever set foot in "balmy" water off the coast of Panama, and I absolutely hated it. It felt like a bathtub! Not for me... I also love all the sea creatures you can observe if you wade into the tide pools at low tide. It's really fun to see what animals you can find!
3) Congressional representation...probably enough said. I plan to keep my residency in Oregon as long as I'm a student!
2) No sales tax!...Talk about taking things for granted. I will definitely be going shopping when I go home this weekend! Oh yeah, and we don't have to pump our own gas either, which is nice until, of course, you go on a road trip and humiliate yourself at the pump.
And the #1 thing I miss about Oregon???
1) My fiance...obviously!
-ariel olson
8) My car...though it's certainly not a D.C. necessity (I love walking and using the metro) it would sure making moving furniture into my apartment a whole lot easier. Then again, who wants to worry about parking.
7) Recycling...my apartment complex has it, but only for glass, newspaper, copy paper and bottles/cans. What about my plastics, my milk cartons and other things? I'm afraid parts of Oregon are still way ahead of the curve on this one.
6) The water...Oregon has some of the cleanest, yummiest drinking water I've ever tasted. In most towns you can survive just fine without a filter/purifier on your faucet. I've been advised by many not to drink the tap water here in D.C.
5) The Bijou...It's an off-beat movie theater in Eugene that shows lots of docs, independent and foreign films. I love the selection of films and popcorn toppings, which range from the traditional butter to garlic salt, spice mixes and nutritional yeast. It's an adventure! Plus, the fattest house cat known to man resides there. As I recall, he was somewhere around 20 pounds.
4) Tide-pooling on the Oregon Coast...Yes, it's rocky. Yes it's cold and windy. But if you're an Oregonian you love it because of, not in spite of, those qualities. I remember the first time I ever set foot in "balmy" water off the coast of Panama, and I absolutely hated it. It felt like a bathtub! Not for me... I also love all the sea creatures you can observe if you wade into the tide pools at low tide. It's really fun to see what animals you can find!
3) Congressional representation...probably enough said. I plan to keep my residency in Oregon as long as I'm a student!
2) No sales tax!...Talk about taking things for granted. I will definitely be going shopping when I go home this weekend! Oh yeah, and we don't have to pump our own gas either, which is nice until, of course, you go on a road trip and humiliate yourself at the pump.
And the #1 thing I miss about Oregon???
1) My fiance...obviously!
-ariel olson
Why I Ride the Bus
Photo Courtesy of: http://www.visitingdc.com
I've heard numerous folks ask me this since I started taking the bus (on occasion) to campus.
Other than the obvious Steelers tribute, Jerome "The Bus" Bettis, I like to ride the bus because it cures my homesickness. I was thinking about it the other day as I was riding. The bus honks. The bus driver yells. Various passengers argue about how hot it will actually be and what stop the new bus-rider should get off at.
"Here ya are lady," the bus driver says, looking at the Iranian woman who is trying to reach the embassy.
"Nuh-uh," the woman sitting beside me says. "That embassy is closer to the next stop. You keep goin'. I'll tell her when to get off."
The bus driver shoots the woman a look that could kill, but closes the door and continues, stopping abrubtly about 1/2 a block down the street.
The Iranian woman looks confused, but thankful.
"There ya go, honey. It's right across the street." the lady beside me says, glaring at the driver the whole time.
There's nothing more heartwarming to me than folks talking, yelling, screaming and honking. I miss New York, so that's why I ride the bus.
-Katharine Jarmul
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Does anybody care: News judgement?
It is almost 11:30 p.m., and I am wondering if there has been any progress in the trapped Utah miners story. I check my usual sites: cleveland.com, washingtonpost.com and newyorktimes.com. None of these Sites have a headline on the homepage about the miners. I know it is somewhat of an old story since the collapse occurred about eight days ago, but is it not a big deal that these miners are still trapped and might or might not be alive?
As a former Web producer and editor, I am confused as to why there is no link for this story on any of homepages. I know at cleveland.com I manually updated the homepage to include all of the important stories that users would want to read, and if I was still working there today I am sure that I would have made a link to it somewhere.
Obviously I could have googled "Utah miners" and a list of recent stories would show up, but I try to give my page views to the Web Sites I like the most.
I ended up visiting The Salt Lake Tribune and I realized nothing new has developed since this morning. I assume this is why it is not featured on any of the Web Sites I checked out previously, but I'm still shocked nonetheless.
I still feel like it is an important story and I have no connection to Utah or the miners, so I feel like other people have to feel as I do too.
Do you guys think that this is something worthy of some exposure until there is closure, or do you agree with the decisions of the producers/editors to skip over it? Does it not matter where it appears on the Web as long as it is in section A of the paper?
Perhaps my news judgement escaped me since I haven't been to work in over a month...
--Jessica Kadylak
As a former Web producer and editor, I am confused as to why there is no link for this story on any of homepages. I know at cleveland.com I manually updated the homepage to include all of the important stories that users would want to read, and if I was still working there today I am sure that I would have made a link to it somewhere.
Obviously I could have googled "Utah miners" and a list of recent stories would show up, but I try to give my page views to the Web Sites I like the most.
I ended up visiting The Salt Lake Tribune and I realized nothing new has developed since this morning. I assume this is why it is not featured on any of the Web Sites I checked out previously, but I'm still shocked nonetheless.
I still feel like it is an important story and I have no connection to Utah or the miners, so I feel like other people have to feel as I do too.
Do you guys think that this is something worthy of some exposure until there is closure, or do you agree with the decisions of the producers/editors to skip over it? Does it not matter where it appears on the Web as long as it is in section A of the paper?
Perhaps my news judgement escaped me since I haven't been to work in over a month...
--Jessica Kadylak
what is news?
Since starting bootcamp I have been much more conscious of the news and making sure that I read the paper every morning. I have been surprised by some of the stories that make the cut as "news" and/or are considered newsworthy enough to be put on the front page.
For example, I think it was two weeks ago that the story about the extravagant birthday party in India ran on the front page of the Washington Post. That was the same day that Ingmar Bergman's death was being reported. The story about some random two-year-old's party was placed above the small blurb about Bergman on the front page. I'm not sure I understand the reasoning here. I dont think that the birthday party story was even newsworthy enough to be in the A section, let alone on A1.
Today I noticed a huge feature, starting on, and taking up most of, page B1 and continuing, and taking up all of, page B2 about abandoned race tracks. While this may be an interesting feature and may even be newsworthy, especially since the professor looking for such tracks is at a school in Virginia, I dont believe that it should take up most of the first two pages of the Metro section. I am sure that there were other happenings in and around Washington D.C. that deserve that newspaper space.
Caitlin
For example, I think it was two weeks ago that the story about the extravagant birthday party in India ran on the front page of the Washington Post. That was the same day that Ingmar Bergman's death was being reported. The story about some random two-year-old's party was placed above the small blurb about Bergman on the front page. I'm not sure I understand the reasoning here. I dont think that the birthday party story was even newsworthy enough to be in the A section, let alone on A1.
Today I noticed a huge feature, starting on, and taking up most of, page B1 and continuing, and taking up all of, page B2 about abandoned race tracks. While this may be an interesting feature and may even be newsworthy, especially since the professor looking for such tracks is at a school in Virginia, I dont believe that it should take up most of the first two pages of the Metro section. I am sure that there were other happenings in and around Washington D.C. that deserve that newspaper space.
Caitlin
Are you ready to go to jail?
In today's Washington Post, there is a story headlined "Source Disclosure Ordered in Anthrax Suit" (page A2). While reading it, I was reminded of something my very first journalism professor told me during my sophomore year in college: When you use anonymous sources, you have to be prepared to protect the identities of those sources, even if it means YOU will get in trouble. Journalists have gone to jail to protect sources. Are you willing to do that?
According to this professor, if a reporter is called on to reveal sources in courtroom, and refuses to do so, they can be held accountable by law. Today's Post says: "Five reporters must reveal their government sources for stories they wrote about Steven J. Hatfill and investigators' suspicions that the former Army scientist was behind the deadly anthrax attacks od 2001, a federal judge ruled yesterday."
Sometimes anonymous sources are critical to journalism, especially, as this story pointed out, when reporters are trying to uncover secretive government actions. But, what price must be paid to do that, and are you, as a journalist, willing to sacrifice yourself for the greater good?
A reporter who reveals the identity of an anonymous source will lose credibility and will be untrusthworthy in the eyes of other possible sources. But, a reporter who stands their ground and refuses to break that promise of anonymity could face serious penalties, even jail time.
So...how dedicated are you to the fundamental purpose of journalism? Are YOU willing to go to jail for the greater good? Something to think about.
- Knowles
According to this professor, if a reporter is called on to reveal sources in courtroom, and refuses to do so, they can be held accountable by law. Today's Post says: "Five reporters must reveal their government sources for stories they wrote about Steven J. Hatfill and investigators' suspicions that the former Army scientist was behind the deadly anthrax attacks od 2001, a federal judge ruled yesterday."
Sometimes anonymous sources are critical to journalism, especially, as this story pointed out, when reporters are trying to uncover secretive government actions. But, what price must be paid to do that, and are you, as a journalist, willing to sacrifice yourself for the greater good?
A reporter who reveals the identity of an anonymous source will lose credibility and will be untrusthworthy in the eyes of other possible sources. But, a reporter who stands their ground and refuses to break that promise of anonymity could face serious penalties, even jail time.
So...how dedicated are you to the fundamental purpose of journalism? Are YOU willing to go to jail for the greater good? Something to think about.
- Knowles
Monday, August 13, 2007
Who's the journalist?
Preschoolers in Ms. Janelle's class on Tuesday, July 3, 2007 at the "Independence Day Parade." (Virginia)
It’s a hot summer’s day. As I enter my classroom, I feel a sense of relief at 8:30 a.m. I’m surrounded with hugs from three-year-olds. “Good morning, friends,” I say, cheerfully. While some of them return to various centers, I check our parent board. I inform one of my students that she is the leader for the day.
“What is your news today?” I ask her, as we sit at the art table.
She gives me a piece of paper and a marker from the art center.
“What would you like to share with your friends today?” I ask her.
She stares at me, as I begin to write her news.
“I love my mommy and daddy,” she says. “I go to nana’s house. I play with my baby.”
“Thank you,” I respond. “After free play, we will share this with your friends during circle time this morning.”
She’s excited to be the leader. She returns to the dramatic play center to play with her friends.
During circle time, 13 students sit on the carpet. After reviewing the calendar, weather, finger plays and nursery rhymes, they are joyful to hear their friend’s news.
Later that afternoon around 4:45 p.m., many of my students are gone home. Five of them stand around the art table, after they clean up the dramatic play center and put puzzles away. They bring paper, crayons and makers to the table. They await their parents’ arrival.
“Ms. Janelle, what is your news today?” a student asks me.
I politely share my news with him.
“I’m glad to be at school with my friends,” I say. “I had fun in the sand.”
“What else, Ms. Janelle?” he asks.
“I shared with my friends today,” I say.
With a marker in his hand, he scribbles my news for the day. The leader of the day has gone home. I’m the leader. I amazed. I’m thrilled. He’s a great imitator, a great impressionist—a great reporter. “Who’s the journalist?” I ask myself.
--Janelle L. Plummer
It’s a hot summer’s day. As I enter my classroom, I feel a sense of relief at 8:30 a.m. I’m surrounded with hugs from three-year-olds. “Good morning, friends,” I say, cheerfully. While some of them return to various centers, I check our parent board. I inform one of my students that she is the leader for the day.
“What is your news today?” I ask her, as we sit at the art table.
She gives me a piece of paper and a marker from the art center.
“What would you like to share with your friends today?” I ask her.
She stares at me, as I begin to write her news.
“I love my mommy and daddy,” she says. “I go to nana’s house. I play with my baby.”
“Thank you,” I respond. “After free play, we will share this with your friends during circle time this morning.”
She’s excited to be the leader. She returns to the dramatic play center to play with her friends.
During circle time, 13 students sit on the carpet. After reviewing the calendar, weather, finger plays and nursery rhymes, they are joyful to hear their friend’s news.
Later that afternoon around 4:45 p.m., many of my students are gone home. Five of them stand around the art table, after they clean up the dramatic play center and put puzzles away. They bring paper, crayons and makers to the table. They await their parents’ arrival.
“Ms. Janelle, what is your news today?” a student asks me.
I politely share my news with him.
“I’m glad to be at school with my friends,” I say. “I had fun in the sand.”
“What else, Ms. Janelle?” he asks.
“I shared with my friends today,” I say.
With a marker in his hand, he scribbles my news for the day. The leader of the day has gone home. I’m the leader. I amazed. I’m thrilled. He’s a great imitator, a great impressionist—a great reporter. “Who’s the journalist?” I ask myself.
--Janelle L. Plummer
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