Vanessa: Unplugged!

Transformation through Education [VIDEO]

Here's a video from the TED site. I love visiting that site. The videos and talks are so thought-provoking and informative; I highly recommend it.

This particular video is about educating the poor in India. It would seem that many of the principles mentioned in the video could be incorporated in our public education curriculum. I'm not an educator but I highly suspect that effective teachers are already putting these principles into practice.

The word "Parikrma" implies a full revolution, a complete path around -- and Shukla Bose's Parikrma Humanity Foundation offers literally that to kids in poor urban areas around Bangalore. Parikrma's four Schools of Hope teach the full, standard Indian curriculum to children who might not otherwise see the inside of a classroom, with impressive results. Equally important, the schools build an "end-to-end" environment that supports learning -- offering lunch every day, health-care and family support. Beyond these schools, Parikrma has inaugurated several afterschool programs and has plans for setting up a central teacher-training hub.

Bose left behind a corporate career in 1992 to found Parikrma with a small group of friends. The nonprofit holds itself to formal business goals and strict accountability, and has developed some clever fundraising and marketing campaigns. As Bose puts it, the goal of Parikrma is to help build a better India by tapping its greatest strength: the vitality and potential of its people.

"Education of children is at the core of our aim to transform poor communities into self-sustaining, contributing communities. " ~ Shukla Bose

 

Website: Parikrma Humanity Foundation

President Obama's Message for America's Students [VIDEO]

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZZ6GrzWkw0

Defending the Indefensible: Prejudging President Obama’s Back-to-School Speech [VIDEO]

The propaganda of President Obama’s speech is deafening. You can read it in its entirety by going to the White House website but I’d like to share some of the egregious statements made by this nation’s leader.

“Now I’ve given a lot of speeches about education. And I’ve talked a lot about responsibility.

I’ve talked about your teachers’ responsibility for inspiring you, and pushing you to learn.

I’ve talked about your parents’ responsibility for making sure you stay on track, and get your homework done, and don’t spend every waking hour in front of the TV or with that Xbox.

I’ve talked a lot about your government’s responsibility for setting high standards, supporting teachers and principals, and turning around schools that aren’t working where students aren’t getting the opportunities they deserve.

But at the end of the day, we can have the most dedicated teachers, the most supportive parents, and the best schools in the world – and none of it will matter unless all of you fulfill your responsibilities. Unless you show up to those schools; pay attention to those teachers; listen to your parents, grandparents and other adults; and put in the hard work it takes to succeed.

And that’s what I want to focus on today: the responsibility each of you has for your education. I want to start with the responsibility you have to yourself. “

How dare the President discuss personal responsibility to our little darlings. Hmmm…shame on him.

Here’s more:

“Every single one of you has something you’re good at. Every single one of you has something to offer. And you have a responsibility to yourself to discover what that is. That’s the opportunity an education can provide.”

And there he goes actually praising our children, letting them know that each of them is special. How dare he?! The President’s speech goes on and on which such mind-controlling rhetoric.

The political leaders and parents who have taken to the airwaves with vicious attacks against the President and his message will likely find a way to continue trash him although his message his positive and uplifting.

Here’s my favorite excerpt from the President’s speech:

“But at the end of the day, the circumstances of your life – what you look like, where you come from, how much money you have, what you’ve got going on at home – that’s no excuse for neglecting your homework or having a bad attitude. That’s no excuse for talking back to your teacher, or cutting class, or dropping out of school. That’s no excuse for not trying. 

Where you are right now doesn’t have to determine where you’ll end up. No one’s written your destiny for you. Here in America, you write your own destiny. You make your own future.” 

In a nation where the high school dropout rate is abysmal at best, the uproar over President Obama’s speech is a tremendous waste of time and energy. The most vocal opponents of the President’s speech are likely people who just oppose the President. Period. End of story. Insert any issue President Obama proposes and the story will be the same.

 

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Arizona State University Disses President Obama

Straight from the "you've got to be kidding" category, Arizona State University (ASU) basically jumped into the "diss Obama" fray. The President has been invited to speak at the University's commencement but he will not be given an honorary degree as expected. The University spokesperson actually indicated they wouldn't give President Obama an honorary degree because he hasn't done enough yet. Huh?

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Everyone is entitled to their own opinion but what is to be gained by such an action? Let's see, Barack Obama was elected President of the United States; John McCain was not. Let's get past this foolishness and work together as Americans.

President Obama has already proven his academic prowess and his accomplishments are well-documented. ASU does itself no favor by withholding an honorary degree from someone as learned as President Obama. The continuous personal attacks on the President rather than addressing issues this country needs to overcome is old, boring, and counterproductive. It also strengthens President Obama's favor with most Americans and the rest of the world.

South Carolina’s Corridor of Shame

South Carolina teen Ty'Sheoma Bethea made history because she wrote a letter to lawmakers regarding the deplorable condition of her school. Writing the letter was basically a challenge by her principal, Amanda Burnette and Ty'Sheoma asked for 41 cents to mail her letter. Burnette faxed the letter to President Obama and the rest is history.

That simple act snowballed into a refocusing on the United States' unequal public education system and Ty'Sheoma's moments in the spotlight with First Lady Michelle Obama and many top reporters and journalists. She also refocused the nation's attention on South Carolina's 'Corridor of Shame'.

Upon initially hearing this young lady's story, I did not realize that I could relate it to one of my favorite Jon Voight movies, Conrack, based on the experiences of a white teacher in a rural black school isolated from much of society. Since my mother's family is from the Carolinas --- (yes, I am Geechee and proud) --- I often wondered if any of the people depicted in the film were my relatives.

Not much has changed since Pat Conroy documented his South Carolina teaching experience in his book, The Water Is Wide: A Memoir [1972], and it was made into the movie, Conrack in 1974.

Please see the trailer of the documentary 'Corridor of Shame' and then ask yourself how South Carolina Governor Mark Stanford can refuse economic stimulus money to help repair his state's schools. This is really happening in America. Now. It's South Carolina's shame and the shame of America.

   

© 2009, Vanessa: Unplugged!, www.vanessabyers.net

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Barack Obama’s Excellent Adventure

It's almost midnight and I'm watching Senator Barack Obama and President Bill Clinton in Kissimmee, Florida at a rally of I don't know how many people but there are a lot of them. As usual, it's a rainbow coalition and the energy transcends the television screen.

There is no way, unless there is finagling, that McCain-Palin can win this election. Not unless there is foolishness involved, does logic not tell me that Americans overwhelmingly support Obama-Biden. Voters are out in record numbers here in Florida. Polling hours have been extended, young people are voting in numbers never expected, registered Democrats outnumber Republicans and the Obama-Biden Team is campaigning as if they are 20 points behind. They are calling and canvassing neighborhoods to get people to the polls to cast their ballots. Did I mention the team of lawyers who are manning the polls to address any problems that voters may have? This is serious, y'all.

Obama started this evening with that highly anticipated infomercial that was unbelievable. There is no way that anyone with a heart could not have been touched by that presentation of the Obama platform through vignettes on Americans coping with our troubling economy, health care needs, broken promises of funding retirement and improvements needed in education.

I'm not saying that John McCain should throw in the towel but I do sense the continued implosion of his campaign as the November 4^th voting date approaches. As McCain continues to try the failed kitchen sink strategy deployed by the Hillary Rodham Clinton campaign during the primary phase, he appears more desperate and less presidential.

We are less than 6 days away from making history. We are not measuring drapes for the White House but we are confident that Americans will do the right thing and vote for change that we all need in America.

 

   

© 2008, Vanessa: Unplugged!, www.vanessabyers.net

Vote for this blog for Best Political Blog and for Best Blog Design in the 2009 Bloggers Choice Awards.

 

   

Oprah in the News for Good and Bad Reasons

Oprah and her show have been in the news for odd reasons lately. First of all, a big deal is being made about Oprah's interview with supermodel Heidi Klum and her husband, Grammy-award winner, Seal. It seems that Miss Heidi was oh so honest when admitting that one of the first things she noticed about Seal was his rather ample package. He was wearing biker shorts at the time, give the woman a break.

Hardly a mumbling word would be uttered if Klum was black but since she's white some folks are giving her a hard time about it. I do admire the fact that Klum has no regrets about making the statement. Hey, let me be honest, I probably would have noticed too. The truth is the light.

Anyhoo, the couple has been married for two and a half years and by all appearances are very happy. It takes more than Seal's package to keep that marriage intact so rather than rag on the couple, just wish them well and move on to something really important.

In more Oprah news, it seems that her much publicized all-girls school in Africa is the subject of a sexual and physical abuse scandal. Oprah tearfully apologized to the parents of the girls and gave the girls her contact information to reach her personally.

The father of one of the girls said they didn't blame Oprah.

Money Saving Tips for College

 

By Lisa Rogers-Cherry

Heading off to college can be an exciting time for both students and parents. It can also be a very expensive time if you aren't careful. I sat down and tried to think of ten ideas to help you to go to school without going broke.

1. Prior to purchasing textbooks, check to see if someone will lend you the book that you need, if not try to get to the bookstore early to get a used book that is in good condition. Make sure that the pages have not been torn out.
2. Find out if you can participate in an on campus work-study program. If so, try to get a job where you can bring your books and do homework while you are actually making some extra money.
3. Learn how to eat affordably. Items like Ramen noodles, tuna, and peanut butter taste really good late at night after the cafeteria has closed. Buy snacks in bulk from wholesale or discount stores so that you don't have to buy high priced snacks from the vending machines.
4. Get to know the staff in the Financial Aid Office. That way you can find out about scholarships that you may qualify for based on your GPA, where you're from, and/or what your major is. From time to time, when alumni pass away, scholarships become available based on specific qualifications.
5. Stay away from drinking sodas and stop paying high prices for bottled water. Drink tap water or invest in an inexpensive water filter if you don't like the taste.
6. Make sure that you take care of your personal belongings. Everyone isn't as honest as you are. Therefore take the time to lock up your expensive things when you leave your room. Check to see if you can get renters insurance. Trust me, it's much cheaper than having to replace your laptop.
7. Check your local newspaper for free events around town. You'd be surprised at how many concerts and cultural events you can attend without spending a dime.
8. Learn where the local consignment and thrift stores are located. When you need an outfit for a special occasion, you don't have to spend a lot to look stunning. 
9. Remember what you are going to school for. If you concentrate on academics and school activities then there shouldn't be too much extra time to get distracted by events or items to spend money on. 
10. Last but certainly not least, I suggest that you steer clear of credit cards. On most college campuses, representatives from credit card companies will offer you a credit card. If you don't have any additional money to pay off a credit card within 30 days, I strongly suggest that you let the credit card company keep their card and whatever gift they are offering you to sign up. I know thousands of people who ruined their credit while in college. Don't become a statistic by ruining your credit before graduating from college. 

Lisa Rogers-Cherry is the author of Lifting the Burdens of Debt: A Helpful Guide to Getting Your Debts Paid and Your Life Back on Track (2005; $14.95). If you have a question or for more information go to www.redpenpress.com, e-mail her at Lisa@redpenpress.com, or write Lisa Rogers-Cherry, Red Pen Press, P. O. Box 1196, Dania Beach, FL 33004. 

Bio: Lisa Rogers-Cherry

Freedom of Speech Not Welcome at University of Florida; Student Tasered at John Kerry Forum

A University of Florida student, Andrew Meyer, was tasered during the Q&A period of a John Kerry Town Hall Meeting on the University's campus. Meyer was obviously trying to make a point when questioning Kerry about membership in the secret society "Skull and Bones" and citing the disenfranchisement of Black voters but what transpired when the campus police officers stepped in was nothing short of unbelievable.

See for yourself in the video below. Be sure to read the article and comments from the UF student newspaper, The Independent Florida Alligator.

 

updated: Tuesday, September 18, 2007

UF student Tasered at Kerry forum

By KIM WILMATH, Alligator Writer

A UF student was shot with a Taser gun, arrested and charged with a felony Monday because police said he started a riot during Sen. John Kerry's on-campus speech.

Andrew Meyer, a telecommunication senior and former Alligator columnist, was charged with a third-degree felony for resisting arrest with violence, according to a University Police Department report.

A third-degree felony could mean up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000, according to a UF Web site.

Meyer attempted to ask Kerry, a Democrat from Massachusetts, about his involvement in Skull and Bones, a secret society at Yale University, at the end of the speech's question-and-answer session. [Continue reading…]

From migrant worker to history-making educator: Dr. San Juanita de la Cruz

Too often we can get caught up in our own little world and forget that every living, breathing human being has a story to tell. Some stories are more shocking and unbelievable than others but there are people that we pass everyday or sit next to at work or talk to on the phone that have overcome such tremendous challenges in life and life goes on for them.

Such is the story of educator and administrator Dr. San Juanita de la Cruz. I have known this woman for more than ten years but it was only through a Miami Herald news article that I learned of the significance of her academic and social accomplishments. She is remarkable. Juanita makes me feel as though I have not done enough with my life. Through her trials and tribulations, she is one of the most pleasant individuals you will ever meet.

Congratulations and thank you to phenomenal woman Dr. San Juanita de la Cruz. To read and hear her story, click here.