One Person/Infinite Impacts.

                In the past century, there have been many remarkable faces that have shaped the world in which we live in today. Extremely noteworthy, Mary McLeod Bethune greatly influenced the change of racist behaviour towards Negroes. Throughout the 1900′s, Mary opened many “All Black” schools, to ensure that African-Americans had the opportunity to be properly educated. A teacher herself, Bethune truly believed in the paramountcy that education had in positively impacting the lives of youth. As well as creating opportunities for Negro children, Bethune made numerous impacts on American political outcomes. An advisor to President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Bethune added valuable input to Congress. For example, when Congress said that $100,000 Graduate Training Fund would be cut from budget, Bethune told President Roosevelt: “Think what a terrible tragedy it would be for America, if, by this action by a committee of Congress, Negroes would be deprived of the leadership of skilled and trained members of their race!” The following week, Congress approved the funding for the Graduate Training Program. Recognized for her illustrious contributions, Mary received the Spingarm Medal, awarded by the NAACP in 1935.  

Before this assignment, I’d never heard of Mary McLeod Bethune’s valuable contributions. Initially ignorant, this task really showed me how powerful and valuable knowledge can truly be. I now have an underlying appreciation for these true leaders that have made immeasurable impacts on their society.

Children matter.

Often marginalized and underestimated, children deserve the same rights as adults. As the backbone to the next generation, children’s rights should be meticulously protected and upheld. Every human being, regardless of age, race, or gender, should be entitled to the rights and freedoms. When signing the Convention of the Rights of a Child, “A State accepts an obligation to respect, protect, promote and fulfil the enumerated rights—including by adopting or changing laws and policies that implement the provisions of the Convention or Protocol.” Unfortunately, on a massive global scale, children’s rights are being violated and trampled on; easily exploitable, children are being taken advantage of everywhere. Often silently oppressed, children do not have a voice in protecting and upholding their rights. I feel that is up to us as citizens to make sure that everybody’s voice is heard and respected. The public should put a great deal of pressure onto corrupt governments to reform unjust policies. Standing idly in silence will not change anything; it is up to the citizens to take charge and speak out against atrocious violations to children’s rights.

Human Rights Violations

In our modernized North-American society, it’s hard to image the hardships and struggles that exist in developing nations. Often times, it’s so easy to focus on the negative things going on in our daily lives; we’re so caught up in our problems that we forget to look at the bigger picture of how truly blessed we are . Currently in Kenya, numerous violations to human rights are occurring. More than half of Nairobi’s population live in slums with no security or protection. The Kenyan government is also carrying out large scale evictions, thus, there is a constant risk of becoming homeless, which is a serious concern in terms of stability for families. In these densely populated slums, people lack access to clean water, sanitation, security, health care, as well as education. As well as there being an enormous shortage to essential social services, the Kenyan’s live in atrocious “shacks” with mud floors and tin roofs. In between these “houses” are alleyways, used for daily commuting (to and from work). These alleyways are extremely dangerous, especially at night where no lighting is present; subject to rape and other forms of harassment, young children are always weary about using these alleyways as walking routes. 

I think it’s really unfair for these people to have to live in such awful, dangerous conditions. Everyone should be entitled to basic human necessities to live comfortably in peace. Everyone deserves to live in security, without feeling threatened or endangered. It’s ridiculous that some governments are letting these kinds of violations happen without taking action to help their citizens. I feel so privileged to live a life in which all basic necessities are always met. Seeing people struggling to have their basic needs met makes me so much more thankful for all the amazing commodities I possess in my life.

A gay man fights for his right to donate blood.

http://www.theprovince.com/health/Ontario+argues+right+donate+blood/2069185/story.html

A Perspective of the Oppressed

Kyle Freeman, a gay resident of Ontario, is suing Canadian Blood Services for the right to donate blood. Kyle, who unknowingly had syphilis, lied about his sexual history to ensure the agency would take the donation from him back in 2002 (he assumed he was STD free when he lied about having sexual intercourse with other men on the donor screening questionnaire). “He had been tested for diseases previously and wasn’t found to be sick, court heard, but by the time he gave blood he had been infected. It’s an example of how very dangerous it is to rely on self-assessment when it comes to protecting Canada’s blood supply, Gomery said.” Furthermore, Gomery states that “The rigorous donor-screening process is critical in minimizing the possibility that, through error, an infected blood unit will be transfused to a patient.” After Canadian Blood Services found syphilis present in Kyle’s blood, they launched a civil suit for “negligent misrepresentation.” In reaction to the CBS’ lawsuit, Freeman initiated a law suit, claiming that when asked if he’d had sexual intercourse with other men, he didn’t answer truthfully because he felt Canadian Blood Services violated his Charter Right to equality regardless of sexual orientation. Kyle Freeman’s lawyer, Patricia LeFebour, says that her client was trying to do the right thing when donating his blood: ” There can be no doubt that Mr. Freeman shares the commitment of others to contribute to a safe supply of blood for Canadians who need transfusions of blood components… Freeman’s donations have never infected anyone with any disease.” Fiona Campbell, a lawyer of the gay rights group Egale, also believes that the Canadian Blood Services donor screening questionnaire is unjust with regards to the gays and bisexuals, and “[reflects and reinforces the stereotype that all gay men are diseased, that all gay men are promiscuous, that HIV and AIDS are gay diseases and promotes prejudice... It reinforces the view they are somehow less worthy of being full participants in civic society.]“

Although the Canadian Blood Services is trying to maintain  safe and adequate standards of health, I believe that their questionnaire in regards towards the article (i.e. asking about sexual history/orientation) is unconstitutional and unwarranted. It’s really unfortunate that such stigmas appear to be the undertone in such examinations; extremely oppressive and marginalizing, these types of questions make one feel worthless and insignificant. Giving blood with only the purest intentions, donors should be treated with dignity and respect. It’s disgraceful that these types of hurtful predispositions are  still circulating in our modern society. This being said, I also feel that Kyle Freeman made a foolish choice by trusting his own assumptions about being STD free, regardless of his sexual orientation. When one is sexually active, they should be responsible in taking necessary precautions, from having up-to-date STD testing to properly using birth control.

Amazing Grace- Two Women Making a Difference.

http://www.bclocalnews.com/surrey_area/langleytimes/community/58648887.html 

The women featured in the above article have survived the worst possible pitfall within humanity-genocide. In a three-month killing spree that ended nearly a million lives in Rwanda, Elizabeth Johnson (born Mujawamaliya) and Marie Louise Kaligirwa saw their fellow Tutsis massacred as the international community watched on the sidelines, silenced by indifference. ”…The root of it all, however, was the fundamental indifference of the world community to the plight of seven to eight million black Africans in a tiny country that had no strategic or resource value to any world power.” After coming to Canada years later, the women formed Grace Rwanda, an organization committed to building classrooms, community centers and sports fields, playgrounds, and libraries in Rwinkwavu (near the border of Tanzania, where Elizabeth Johnson was born and raised). The women have been fundraising in attempts to reach their overall goal of $300,000 (enough money to provide tools and materials for numerous projects). “Labour will be provided in-country, in an effort to create a sense of ownership over the projects and help ensure the buildings will be well-maintained,” the women say. In the future, the women hope to build a technical school where young adults can acquire the skills to learn a trade. Preschool classes will also be offered for children who often have to wait for their mothers working in the fields. They hope to tackle numerous other projects as well however their focus is currently on building classrooms for pupils in Grades 7-9, who were only recently encompassed in the public school system. “There should be no barriers to education for those who want to go (to school),” said Johnson, “So far, there’s no money, just faith.”

Although I have no personal biases in regards to the article, I do feel very passionately about the work these women are doing to make a difference in their communities. The fact that these powerful women survived a genocide is one thing, but to survive and then go on to doing positive things, is extraordinary; this epitomizes the endearing and benevolent nature of some human beings. One can only wonder how these women have the capacity to live through such potent hatred and not become hateful; how they can find any reason to be grateful and hopeful for the future. Instead of losing faith in humanity, Elizabeth and Marie are making constructive differences within their own African communities that were torn by violence and omnipotent abhorrence. Most commendable, this kind of enduring passion and humility serves as an inspiration to us all.

Critical Consciousness-Assignment #1

Critical consciousness is defined as the “ability to perceive social, political, and economic oppression and to take action against the oppressive elements of society.” This concept was formulated by Paulo Freire, author of Pedagogy of the Oppressed, as well as Education for Critical Consciousness. Paulo Freire developed tactics of critical consciousness while working and helping third-world people gain skills in literacy, as well as educating them on world conditions. It is of vital importance for those in the developing and in the developed world to acquire a critical consciousness. I believe it’s of an utmost priority that we as individuals develop a critical consciousness to avoid the oppressive nature of modern society. “He that would make his own liberty secure must guard even his enemy from oppression;for if he violates this duty he establishes a precedent that will reach to himself.”I think it’s so important to be able to recognize oppression, albeit social, political, or economic in modern society. Only after being able to recognize the oppression that exists within society can we then take action against autocracy.      

First Blog-Social Justice

Hello and Welcome

My name’s Bianca, and I’m really excited to get started with this class. I’m especially looking forward to discussing the issues revolving around social injustice. I really think that this class will be a fantastic opportunity to discuss and debate different view-points, and then to implicate these teachings within our own lives to make a difference in our communities.