Expression

[teck23-blog]

New Beginnings

A day I will never forget was the last hockey game I ever played in competitively. Playing hockey my entire life, it was always a part of my plan to continue playing after high school, and take time off of school.  To play hockey in college you have to play juniors and mature before playing college hockey with much older competition.  Up until my last hockey game during my senior year at St. Francis Prep High school, I had set to continue playing hockey in Philadelphia  and take a few years of school off to hopefully play college hockey.   After college I then planned on becoming a high school teacher, something that I had always aspired to be.  Rewinding back to playoffs in my senior year of high school, my last game was the semi final against St. Andrews College, resulting in a loss that changed my perspective on hockey greatly.  Stepping off the ice with a loss was upsetting at the first glance, but after time passed I realized that hockey lost all of its importance to me.  The millions of lessons that I take away from the game  are still valued but the greatest lesson I learned was to be able to let go of even the greatest things that I had in my life, hockey being one of them.  Not everything is easy to let go of but I realized that continuing to play hockey would still direct me to becoming a teacher, but if I gave up on hockey then I can do so sooner.  Growing up and changing perspectives allowed me to realize that being a teacher was more important to me than playing hockey and potentially wasting time at reaching my ultimate goal.  I commend the many friends that I made playing hockey, many continuing to play today, and some on their way to bigger and better competition in the NHL, but I have sorrow for those who took the chance I was unwilling to take and fail.  Not a day goes by where I don’t miss playing hockey, but I thought it was best for me to I take all of the lessons that playing hockey taught me and run with them while I was still able to. I am happy with the choice I have made and learned how to let go of something difficult, a situation I will inevitably face in the future and will be ready for.       

[therealbigwormblog-blog]

When I read this I can feel the same feeling you felt growing up to playing a sport that you love. I remember growing up as child I think since I was five years old i used to love playing basketball so much that it came to a point when I wanted to continue in high school. My freshman year I remember rarely even getting in the games because I think the coach had something against me so from that year I kept that in mind. So the next season came my sophomore year, It was the beginning of November ad it was tryouts. I swear I put my all on the court that day it came to find out I didn’t make the team and from that moment I knew that basketball wasn’t for me. Then my Junior year in high school I played football for he first time in my life and we ended up wining the state championship title and by my senior year we won the Class A title championship and a few months later I was offered a $10,000 scholarship to play D3 football for the Buffalo State Bengals.

[misunderstoodandoutspoken-blog]

I loved this post, I re-read it about 3 times. I relate to this on all levels. I am a track long-distant runner. I remember spring of 2015, it was the outdoor season and also the year I gave up on track for a while.  It was the semi-finals for the relay teams and my team was top 3 the whole season. It was the 4x800 relay race. I was the second hand for my relay team. I had the lead the first lap. We were making record timing, until my second lap on the turn. I tore the muscle in my ankle 100 meters from the finish line, but I didn’t stop running. The other team passed me about 50 meters in. Once I passed the baton to the third hand I began to break down. I ruined the relay, it was my fault we couldn’t beat the record and we were so close. That day I gave up on my dream of becoming the next Allyson Felix in the olympics. I felt like a failure, as if I let my entire team down. So let it go for a long time because right now track isn’t for me. I just feel as if I’m not ready yet. So I’m going for my other dream of being a OB/GYN or a Psycologist for those who suffer from anxiety and bipolar disorder like me.

[t-frantz-blog]

This weird

This tumblr stuff not for me 😂😭😂

[pinkpanthertee-blog]

Well I was suppose to pick a blog of yours that interest me, however this is the only blog you have. Tumblr is kind of weird but it does get us out of our comfort zone. On a regular day you would never catch any one of us on tumblr so you should take advantage of new and different things in your life. On the other hand, I think you should start doing these blogs because they are part of your grades. They aren't’ that bad and it’s only once a week. The topics are fairly easy too so it’s not really head busting.

[misunderstoodandoutspoken-blog]

Tumblr is weird for me too. After this class is up I don’t think I will ever use Tumblr again. But it is new and something that can be interesting from time to time. Though, you don’t have a choice because this does count as a grade for class each week. I am pretty sure that the majority of us are thinking the same thought about Tumblr as you are, but like you, we still have to do what is required of us for this class to pass CWP. Just as a suggestion, if you aren’t interested in posting on tumblr as much as you would on Facebook or Snapchat, then just do what I do and only post when there is an assignment do. Its easier for me and less confusing because the professor won’t have to really look for your assignment through all the irrelevant posts.

[teck23-blog]

Coach Ken Carter

Coach Ken Carter, an ex basketball coach and player of the Richmond Oilers high school basketball team, is someone who exemplifies strength in African American culture and the Black History month movement.  Richmond High Schools students are predominantly African American, at a low funded school that struggled to succeed all across the board.  Kids that attended Richmond were more likely to become a statistic than graduate high school, and the basketball team specifically was one that would  be lucky to graduate 50% of the team let alone keep them out of trouble. Most players on the team were involved in criminal activity, and didn’t plan on going to college.  Not only did the basketball team fail academically but they also have had many consecutive losing seasons, until  former Richmond Basketball star Ken Carter came to take the coaching position. Ken Carter graduated from Richmond and set records playing for the basketball team.  When he walked into the same gymnasium years later as a coach,  the players didn’t respect his records or him as a basketball coach. However, Coach Carter still set high expectations academically and taught his players to become men.  The players on his team were mostly African American boys that he saw  a lot of potential in and guided them into man hood using his tough and strict style of coaching.   Halfway through the season the team was undefeated but did not meet the high academic standards that he had set in the beginning of the season.  Coach Carter locks the gym and forfeits every game until the players get back to reaching their goals, leaving the team very angry that Coach Carter ruined their undefeated season.  Coach Carter became a disliked man in the city of Richmond, and as a result got removed as the head coach of the team and the locks on the gym were removed.  However, to show the impact Coach Carter made on his team, the players refused to play, got their grades up and reached their goal, but had to forfeit another game. When people saw this they changed their perspective on Coach Carter, and realized he had a method to his madness.  They began to see the impact he made, and how he showed his players, especially his African American players who he specifically singled out, and showed them they don’t have to blend in with their surroundings, and they can accomplish anything that they want.  He gave them the choice to either graduate and do something positive or to become a statistic of the typical Richmond kid who didn’t make it through high school. He showed kids who went to low funded schools like Richmond that they can make something of themselves in this corrupt society, and show the truth that some, African American boys came out of Richmond High School as graduates and successful young men. Ken Carter brings strength to Black History month, inspiring young African Americans to be proud of who they are and prove themselves.

[misunderstoodandoutspoken-blog]

I like that this is someone that I didn’t know about. I think that the whole concept of black history month is based upon impacts like this one where there’s a regular individual who is doing whats best for the African American community. In return, suffers the consequences of racial discrimination. Yet the individual still manages to come out strong for his/her people with a remembrance that impacts many and changes the minds of the few that oppose. This is why we celebrate this annual event. To acknowledge those who were put down, beaten and suffered just to stand against the unjust population.

[unrulydon202-blog]

Should school/College be free or paid for?

If schools are suddenly free, would education lose its value?

[pinkpanthertee-blog]

Personally, I think that college tuition should be covered by the government. I feel like if you want to go away for college and live in dorms then you should pay for your dorm and meal plan. Many people are very educated and it is sad that they cannot be involve in the college experience because they can’t afford it. I feel like they should put the free tuition for SUNY schools into play because it will give a lot of people the chance to gain a college experience even if they don’t have a lot of money or financial aid.

[misunderstoodandoutspoken-blog]

I agree that college should be free for all and if the college is charging it should charge accordingly thinking about the people who cannot afford the degree courses can join and improve the skills I think Having free or low-cost public education makes perfect economic sense, and was actually the policy in many states in the US until the 1970s. (For example, California residents went tuition-free to U Cal Berkeley.) The main economic benefits include higher incomes, which translate into high tax revenue, as federal and state taxes are a function of income, and increased productivity,( choosefan.com ) which is the real “rising tide” that lifts all boats. So tuition-free public higher education pays for itself over time.

[misunderstoodandoutspoken-blog]

Desmond Tutu: A Spiritual Leader (BHM)

Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements made by black Americans. Also known as National African American History Month, it is a time for everyone to recognize the history changing roles of African Americans in the years before. The event grew out of “Negro History Week,” the idea of historian Carter G. Woodson and other African Americans. Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month.

Various African Americans has been recognized through this celebration such as MLK, Fredrick Douglass and Rosa Parks because of the significant things they have done to pursue equal rights for themselves and the rest of the African American community. But what about the ones that aren’t as well-knowns as the others? Other offbeat African Americans who also played their part to contribute great factors to the black community need to be recognized too for their amazing works.

Desmond Tutu is a leading figure in speaking out for humanitarian and civil rights issues. Desmond Mpilo Tutu was born in Klerksdorp, Transvaal in South Africa. As a vocal and committed opponent of racial segregation in South Africa he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984. In 1976, there were increasing levels of protests by black South Africa against racism, especially in Soweto. In his position as a leading member of the clergy, Desmond Tutu used his influence to speak strongly and distinctly against racial discrimination, often comparing it to fascist establishments. He states “If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality.” His outspoken criticism caused him to be put in jail in 1980 and his passport was twice revoked. However, due somewhat to his position in the church, the government was hesitant to make a ‘saint’ out of him. After the racial discrimination era, Desmond Tutu is credited with originating the phrase ‘rainbow nation’ a symbolic term for the goal to unite South Africa and forget past divisions. Tutu has often called for a message of harmony and forgiveness. He soon became one of the world's most prominent spiritual leaders.

“Good is stronger than evil; love is stronger than hate; light is stronger than darkness; life is stronger than death. Victory is ours, through him who loves us.”

– Desmond Tutu

[misunderstoodandoutspoken-blog]

What Will They Do Now? BP#2

As of November 1st, 2016, there were 20 million newly insured Americans under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Of those insured, about 10 percent are drug and alcohol addicts. Chris Diaz is currently undergoing treatment for his heroine addiction he has had since he was 12. Now 36, he is being given a opioid substitute that minimizes his withdrawal symptoms and cravings so he can get himself together. He is covered by medicaid under the Affordable Care Act.  “This is the best my life has gone in many, many years,” Diaz states as he sat in a community center.

Meanwhile, Congress and President Trump are working to undo the Affordable Care Act. Trump pledged to “relieve” America of Obamacare, but wants to address the opioid epidemic further expand access to drug treatment. I don’t agree with this because this will put many lower class addict Americans into debt. A lot of these addicts depend on Obamacare to help them afford the medications and counseling to help them with their addictions. In the case of Chris Diaz, he expressed his concern when he said, “If this gets taken from me, it’s right back to square one and that’s not a good place. I’m scary when I’m using. I don’t care who I hurt.” Chris is afraid that if Trump and Congress succeed in taking away the ACA, he will not have any insurance to cover his medications and treatment counseling sessions. Diaz also fears that without Obamacare he will relapse back to heroine.

Can you imagine how the many addicts who are currently in treatment feel in concern to our president along with congress taking away their source to a new and better life? I feel as if there wasn’t enough thought put into this decision. Yes, there is a possibility that its a benefit to whomever feels it is, but there are more than just those who may benefit from this. The portion of the country who can’t afford the hundreds, maybe even thousands, of bills that come from treatment and medication services have to be taken in to consideration. I believe this is an action that is going to put the uninsured rate into the sky from the current rate of 8.9 percent. 

Addiction treatment grew under health law. So what are those addicts supposed to do once its gone? People will end up back on the streets. If the Affordable Care Act is eradicated, treatment centers will lose more than $6 billion in funding, most of it Medicaid revenue. The link to this article is below.

“Addiction Treatment Grew Under Health Law. Now What?”

Link: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/10/health/addiction-treatment-opiods-aca-obamacare.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fus&action=click&contentCollection=us®ion=rank&module=package&version=highlights&contentPlacement=2&pgtype=sectionfront&_r=0

[misunderstoodandoutspoken-blog]

Love Yourself

Growing up I wasn’t the prettiest. I was bullied every single day from the third all the way to the eighth grade. Being so overwhelmed with the emotions from being called everything in the book put me into a deep depression. I had no self-esteem. I stopped believing in who I was. Overtime, I created a new image of myself. A “false” image of myself that I created to please everybody else. No longer thinking of myself and my well-being. But, I  loved the attention I was getting from everyone. All my new “friends” with me skipping class, skipping school and Fighting all day everyday with any and everybody. I was the talk of the school. That’s when I realized I had developed a very bad temper and had zero patience for everything. Throwing tantrums with the authorities, other students and teachers. Everyone who tried to help me I  got angry at. I completely lost who I was trying to be like everybody else because I was bullied out of who I used to be. Quiet, happy, smart and to myself. Who was I ? Where did the child my mother raised go? I  questioned myself  in the eleventh grade after being told I was on the edge of being kicked out of school. That’s when I decided to talk to my mom. Let her know how my school life was going. I wasn’t confident, I wasn’t happy with myself anymore. That’s when she told me the story about how I was named “Aereiana”. My mother met a little girl named Aereiana who had a twin sister. Aereiana was dark and her twin sister was light. The twin sister got the majority of her family’s attention because they thought she was so pretty because she was light skinned. Aereiana didn’t get any attention because she was dark. The family and their friends looked over Aereiana because she was dark and they didn’t think she was as pretty as her lighter twin sister. My mother told Aereiana that she was beautiful and that she will remain beautiful even when other people don’t think so. My mom told Aereiana that when she had a daughter she would name her “Aereiana”. When I was born, My mom saw Aereiana in the hospital and told her that she had me and that my name was Aereiana. The girl cried. After, hearing that I lived up to my name and learned to love the skin that I’m in. I  built my self-esteem again and turned my whole life around. Now I am a early graduate and I graduated top of my class with a 4.0 GPA and an advanced regents diploma. To this day I live by the quote, “Love yourself. Don’t change who you are because others think negative of you. Live your life to the fullest. And keep away from setbacks.”

[misunderstoodandoutspoken-blog]

Hello

Hello World!!