I recently wrote the Sec. of Education about getting a system of free colleges. That was my Mother's dream for her students. Her college (Glassboro State Normal School) was free then (1928 - 1930); otherwise her family probably couldn't have afforded tuition.
Today, I finally got to my mailbox after a few days absence and found there was a reply. Not from the Sec. (oh, well), but from a director in their Federal Student Aid "division". Although I will give props that this director at least had read my letter and knew the gist of it, I was still dismayed by the answer. The director basically said this would take an act of Congress.
Well, d'oh? Call me a bit naive, but shouldn't the Department of Ed be advocating for STUDENTS? Has there been any thought to proposing or even advocating for such legislation?
So I thought one option for me to do would be to start a petition at change.org.
Someone started one already! So far only two signers. I KNOW we can get more!
For what it may be worth, please visit and sign the petition:
http://www.change.org/petitions/u-s-congress-pass-a-law-requiring-all-public-colleges-to-be-tuition-free#
Of course thank you in advdance!
This blog discusses issues of social justice (in an inclusive sense), civil liberties, human rights, other social issues, and offers thoughts on society and humanity in general from a progressive, feminist perspective.
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Saturday, June 16, 2012
Whoops, NBC (Updated by a Memory)
What were you thinking, NBC?
What indeed were you thinking when you made that promo for your upcoming show, "Animal Practice?"
When I noticed the image at the end - I couldn't believe my eyes. The next time I saw it I still could barely believe what I was seeing. After seeing again, though, I was just dumbfounded and dismayed at that final image. WHY would you have that dark face with the conspicuous white teeth - whether it's chimp or human (it seems to be a graphic image, not live) - above the sign with the show's title.
It immediately called to mind racist mages of African-Americans from years past. It did not give me a good feeling.
Folks, it's 2012. We need to respect each other, not be insensitive. Which is what that final image is, intentional of not. NBC, I hope you change the promo for this show; it definitely needs a remake.
UPDATE:
Years later now, when I wanted to highlight this as a related post in a newer post, I remembered what happened about the use of the said monkey (chimp, whatever...) which promoted an NBC show... During that Olympics, right after a gold medal performance by Gabrielle Douglas and a commentary by Bob Costas saluting her, the chimp, monkey ---- whatever-- appeared next in a promo. Well, there was an outcry about that as I remember. And rightly so. I think NBC tried to be a bit more careful after that, at least in some things.
What indeed were you thinking when you made that promo for your upcoming show, "Animal Practice?"
When I noticed the image at the end - I couldn't believe my eyes. The next time I saw it I still could barely believe what I was seeing. After seeing again, though, I was just dumbfounded and dismayed at that final image. WHY would you have that dark face with the conspicuous white teeth - whether it's chimp or human (it seems to be a graphic image, not live) - above the sign with the show's title.
It immediately called to mind racist mages of African-Americans from years past. It did not give me a good feeling.
Folks, it's 2012. We need to respect each other, not be insensitive. Which is what that final image is, intentional of not. NBC, I hope you change the promo for this show; it definitely needs a remake.
UPDATE:
Years later now, when I wanted to highlight this as a related post in a newer post, I remembered what happened about the use of the said monkey (chimp, whatever...) which promoted an NBC show... During that Olympics, right after a gold medal performance by Gabrielle Douglas and a commentary by Bob Costas saluting her, the chimp, monkey ---- whatever-- appeared next in a promo. Well, there was an outcry about that as I remember. And rightly so. I think NBC tried to be a bit more careful after that, at least in some things.
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