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.
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Headlines to Pray for
Here are some headlines I'm praying for:
What do you think? What headlines are you praying for?
- World Peace Declared; Drones sold for scrap metal
- U.S. Poverty abolished; on to another country
- Domestic Violence Eradicated;More resources free to deal with other crimes
- Cancer Cure at Hand; life expectancy should rise
- Dr. King's Dream Realized; tolerance of diversity is here
- Civil Liberties Restored; snoopng gone, dissent respected
- Math Scores Rise; students love Algebra
What do you think? What headlines are you praying for?
Friday, February 3, 2012
Poverty Again
Maybe Mitt Romney's remark about the poor will have some good reults. If it keeps the issue before the public (which we know has a limited attention span), it might help keep the discussion and action going.
However, George Clooney in his recent "Inside the Actor's Studio" appearnce said something I found to be a bit daunting. CLooney has been active in keeping the public aware of problems in Darfur and Haiti and trying to help the people affected. He said that shining a light on the problem doesn't make it go away. That really gives us quite a challenge. Shining a light, spreading the word on issues such a proverty or the situations in Darfut or Haiti is necessary, of course, but it just can't stop there. We, the people, the decision makers, and leaders, too, must act in order to solve these problems. So we must do something to help alleviate suffering, help those struggling, and generate better policies to create better situations in the future. I know it's tough; we all work so much, have families and other responsibilities. But I hope that we can do something. Collectively, even small actions can help. Now if I can get it together and do something... It's a challenge for me as well as for others (although I'm amazed at what some others do to help things). But I definitely should do something. I hope we all will.
However, George Clooney in his recent "Inside the Actor's Studio" appearnce said something I found to be a bit daunting. CLooney has been active in keeping the public aware of problems in Darfur and Haiti and trying to help the people affected. He said that shining a light on the problem doesn't make it go away. That really gives us quite a challenge. Shining a light, spreading the word on issues such a proverty or the situations in Darfut or Haiti is necessary, of course, but it just can't stop there. We, the people, the decision makers, and leaders, too, must act in order to solve these problems. So we must do something to help alleviate suffering, help those struggling, and generate better policies to create better situations in the future. I know it's tough; we all work so much, have families and other responsibilities. But I hope that we can do something. Collectively, even small actions can help. Now if I can get it together and do something... It's a challenge for me as well as for others (although I'm amazed at what some others do to help things). But I definitely should do something. I hope we all will.
Remember Civility and Civil Rights
Many recent reports make me wonder what we've descended to. A fellow was arrested because they THOUGHT he had protested against Romney in NH. Read about it in his blog here. A Ron Paul supporter was treated roughly by Gingrich security; read here. And some Ron Paul supporters have harassed a professor online (story here) . Haven't heard stories about such things on the Democratic side recently, but if they are happening, they're also shameful.
First, while there is a need for security, we should not permit security to become abusive. That's NOT what America is supposed to be about. Second, we simply MUST start respecting the right to protest and dissent. If the United States is to truly stand for freedom we have got to make sure we honor the Freedoms of Speech and Assembly among others. Third, we NEED to agree to disagree and not be so disagreeable in the meantime. We are going to have differences of opinion and it is crucial that we maintain some basic civility and respect for each other as we make our way through challenging times. We have got to remember two things: one: we're all in this together and two: the golden rule - treat others as we wish to be treated. MAYBE if we remember those things we can make some real progress.
First, while there is a need for security, we should not permit security to become abusive. That's NOT what America is supposed to be about. Second, we simply MUST start respecting the right to protest and dissent. If the United States is to truly stand for freedom we have got to make sure we honor the Freedoms of Speech and Assembly among others. Third, we NEED to agree to disagree and not be so disagreeable in the meantime. We are going to have differences of opinion and it is crucial that we maintain some basic civility and respect for each other as we make our way through challenging times. We have got to remember two things: one: we're all in this together and two: the golden rule - treat others as we wish to be treated. MAYBE if we remember those things we can make some real progress.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
The Price of Bread
Going to the grocery store shouldn't be a challenge, should it? I'll say right out that I must count my blessings as I have a good job and am not food insecure. If you're paying attention, the data on food insecurity is really enough to give one pause.
What is really is getting to me these days is the price of bread. Specifically, a good brand of multigrain or whole wheat bread. Many of them where I shop now have a regular price of more than $4.00 per loaf. To me this is totally unacceptable. A staple, a healthy staple at that, should not be priced so that it's geting out of reach.
There has been much talk about this in the media recently and one point that comes out is that if a family is using Food Stamps or a Supplemental Nutrition Program - it's hard to afford healthy food choices. With the cost of healthy bread so high, I well believe it.
In general, the data on poverty is just staggering. And if the cost of FOOD - something we all need - even BASIC food like bread - gets so high, it's going to just make it that much harder for people and families to tread water, let alone emerge from poverty. On top if this, many states want to reduce benefits or eligibility for their programs.
Can't we do better, folks? Can't we cut elsewhere? Can't we end the loopholes so everyone pays a fair share of taxes? Can't we create more jobs here? There certainly is enough work to be done. Let's start with customer service and tech support workers. We're all tired of automated systems so how about hiring more humans! And why can't our own folks be trained in tech support instead of shipping those jobs overseas?
Let's do better so we can all eat healthy and keep rising up.
What is really is getting to me these days is the price of bread. Specifically, a good brand of multigrain or whole wheat bread. Many of them where I shop now have a regular price of more than $4.00 per loaf. To me this is totally unacceptable. A staple, a healthy staple at that, should not be priced so that it's geting out of reach.
There has been much talk about this in the media recently and one point that comes out is that if a family is using Food Stamps or a Supplemental Nutrition Program - it's hard to afford healthy food choices. With the cost of healthy bread so high, I well believe it.
In general, the data on poverty is just staggering. And if the cost of FOOD - something we all need - even BASIC food like bread - gets so high, it's going to just make it that much harder for people and families to tread water, let alone emerge from poverty. On top if this, many states want to reduce benefits or eligibility for their programs.
Can't we do better, folks? Can't we cut elsewhere? Can't we end the loopholes so everyone pays a fair share of taxes? Can't we create more jobs here? There certainly is enough work to be done. Let's start with customer service and tech support workers. We're all tired of automated systems so how about hiring more humans! And why can't our own folks be trained in tech support instead of shipping those jobs overseas?
Let's do better so we can all eat healthy and keep rising up.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Occupy Poem
Reading reports of the crackdown on Occupy Wall St. in NYC and hearing of problems in other places is just unsettling. How can we defend peaceful protests overseas and treat protesters here at home so badly?
To do something, I ended up writing this poem. I was going to post it to the OWS forum but you have to register and give your location and all, and I just didn't want to do all that... Guess I'm not all that into a lot of this social media...
Anyway, now for the poem:
What Really is the Problem?
Dedicated to the Occupy Movement
What really is the problem?
What is it on my sign you find so offensive?
Why do you want to silence my message?
Why do you want to meet my peace with your violence?
After all, I really am only one of you
As were the abolitionists
As were the suffragists
As were the civil rights workers
Were not their causes just?
And yet how ill treated were they?
Haven’t we learned?
What really is the problem?
I’m only looking for my voice to be heard
I’m only looking for simple respect
I’m only looking for a better tomorrow
Don’t block its dawning
Don’t keep me from its warmth
Let me embrace its freedom without constraint
Put away the tear gas and take up the peace pipe of the Native American Tradition
Let the conversation start.
To do something, I ended up writing this poem. I was going to post it to the OWS forum but you have to register and give your location and all, and I just didn't want to do all that... Guess I'm not all that into a lot of this social media...
Anyway, now for the poem:
What Really is the Problem?
Dedicated to the Occupy Movement
What really is the problem?
What is it on my sign you find so offensive?
Why do you want to silence my message?
Why do you want to meet my peace with your violence?
After all, I really am only one of you
As were the abolitionists
As were the suffragists
As were the civil rights workers
Were not their causes just?
And yet how ill treated were they?
Haven’t we learned?
What really is the problem?
I’m only looking for my voice to be heard
I’m only looking for simple respect
I’m only looking for a better tomorrow
Don’t block its dawning
Don’t keep me from its warmth
Let me embrace its freedom without constraint
Put away the tear gas and take up the peace pipe of the Native American Tradition
Let the conversation start.
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