Last night, I was watching Bill Moyers. This discussion with Howard Zinn about The People Speak seems like it would be a wonderful introduction to any community practice class. So hopeful and inspiring.....
Monday, December 14, 2009
Tales From the Sock Drawer: Multicolored Complications
Here is the video for Tales From the Sock Drawer: Multi-Colored Complications.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Social Work End of the Semester Potluck
Here are some pictures from this evening's end of the semester social work potluck. Thank you to everyone who was able to make it. It was a delight!
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Kevin Hoover v Jason Robo
I'm sure people have heard of the conflict between Kevin Hoover & Jason Robo because of Hoover's agenda of shutting down grow houses. You may have seen Hoover in "Pot City USA", the A&E program about Arcata. Unfortunately, there aren't clips of that available online. Here are some interesting responses from HSU students to "Pot City USA".
I ran across this silly parody about the feud between Robo & Hoover.....
Here is a link to the facebook group , Say Goodbye to the Arcata Eye (Boycott advertisers)" discussed in the video.
I ran across this silly parody about the feud between Robo & Hoover.....
Here is a link to the facebook group , Say Goodbye to the Arcata Eye (Boycott advertisers)" discussed in the video.
Cobell v. Salazar ~Thirteen years......
Today the Cobell case was finally settled...... Bittersweet..... For those who are not familiar with the case. It is a case against the US government because they severely and obscenely mismanaged indigenous trust monies.
Here is Amy Goodman talking to Elouise P. Cobell last year.
Here is her statement from the settlement:
Statement at the Department of Interior Press Conference
Announcing the Settlement in Cobell v. Salazar
December 8, 2009
In 1996, we embarked on a journey to end decades of mistrust, suspicion and apprehension about the federal government’s management of Individual Indian Money accounts. I was among the more than 500,000 Indians across the nation with funds in such an account, and I did not know and could not find out how much money I had, where it came from, how it was being invested, nor how or whether it would ever reach my pocket.
As a banker myself, I knew that was not right. Who would turn her paycheck over to a banker hundreds or thousands of miles away, giving a faceless, unknown person sole authority over how that money is invested, as well as the ability to decide how often she can withdraw and use it to meet her family’s needs? Only someone given no other choice.
When we filed this case, I thought it would be 2-to-3 years of litigation. I believed all we had to do was expose the lack of accounting by the government, everyone would come to agreement over the issues, and we would settle the case. I expected to have a settlement 10 years ago; instead it turned into a battle of 14 years.
We have faced Secretaries of the Interior and Treasury in three presidential administrations to arrive at what we hope is this long journey’s final destination. Today we have an Administration that is listening to us, and an Administration willing to admit the wrongdoings of the past and settle this matter to benefit those who had to do without access to their own money for way too long.
Although we have reached a settlement totaling more than $3.4 billion dollars, there is little doubt this is significantly less than the full amount to which individual Indians are entitled. Yes, we could prolong our struggle and fight longer, and perhaps one day we would know – down to the penny – how much individual Indians are owed. Perhaps we could even litigate long enough to increase the settlement amount.
Nevertheless we are compelled to settle now by the sobering realization that our class grows smaller each year, each month, and every day, as our elders die, and are forever prevented from receiving their just compensation. We also face the uncomfortable, but unavoidable fact that a large number of individual money account holders currently subsist in the direst poverty, and this settlement can begin to address that extreme situation and provide some hope and a better quality of life for their remaining years.
I am particularly happy to see recognition of the need for funds to be set aside to promote higher education opportunities for Indian youth. When Indian parents and grandparents talk to me about this suit, they always speak of how they will use the money they receive to improve their children’s and grandchildren’s lives. I am hopeful that these funds can lift a generation and help break a cycle of poverty that has held too many Indian families and individuals in its grip for too many generations.
My greatest optimism about this settlement, however, is the hope it holds for significant and permanent reform in the way the Departments of Interior and Treasury account for and manage Individual Indian Money accounts. There is much room for improvement, and I expect the Commission that Secretary Salazar has announced to take on the challenge of making these substantive changes immediately.
Indians are dedicated to collaborating with the government in making these changes. We know this settlement does not solve the underlying problem and reform can’t stop here. We will continue to work to improve the Trust’s accountability. We’ve had to spend too much time looking backwards, trying to address the terrible wrongs of the past. Now my hope is that we can look forward to permanently correct those wrongs so that American Indian Money account holders will always have knowledge of and consistently receive what is rightfully theirs.
None of these accomplishments would have been possible without the concerted efforts of an extraordinary legal team and the support of generous funders. I am particularly grateful for the insight, vision, hard work and sense of justice that Dennis M. Gingold understands so clearly. I dedicate this settlement to him. It was his understanding of the historic mismanagement and his incredible, superhuman commitment to seeking justice for Individual Indian Money account holders that brought us to this point today. And while compromise is not in his DNA, those who benefit from his long, hard work on this case will always honor his contribution. Many additional dedicated lawyers and others also played important roles, and I thank them as well. There are too many to name them all, but unquestionably among them are Thaddeus Holt, and Keith Harper, Bill Dorris, David Smith and Elliott Levitas, attorneys at Kilpatrick Stockton LLP, as well as the organizations that funded the Individual Indian Monies Trust Correction and Recovery Project.
Equally important is the work of the Honorable James Robertson, the United States District Court Judge who presided over this case for the past three years. Judge Robertson recognized the need to resolve this case in a fair and expeditious manner and worked hard to bring the parties together to reach the settlement we have today. We owe much to the hard work of Judge Robertson.
Another individual critically important to this result was U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth, in whose courtroom Indians began to find justice. Judge Lamberth was not afraid to speak truth to power, and we are the beneficiaries of his knowledge of the law, sense of fair play, and judicial courage. We thank him.
Finally, I want to acknowledge the persistence and resilience of a half a million Individual Indian Money account holders who suffered through the historical mismanagement of their funds, yet never lost hope they would prevail and had the patience to wait this settlement out. They inspired us everyday and gave us the strength to continue.
I am proud to have played a role in this important undertaking and look forward to seeing this settlement bear fruit and improve the lives of hundreds of individual Indians’ across our great land.
Here is Amy Goodman talking to Elouise P. Cobell last year.
Here is her statement from the settlement:
Statement at the Department of Interior Press Conference
Announcing the Settlement in Cobell v. Salazar
December 8, 2009
In 1996, we embarked on a journey to end decades of mistrust, suspicion and apprehension about the federal government’s management of Individual Indian Money accounts. I was among the more than 500,000 Indians across the nation with funds in such an account, and I did not know and could not find out how much money I had, where it came from, how it was being invested, nor how or whether it would ever reach my pocket.
As a banker myself, I knew that was not right. Who would turn her paycheck over to a banker hundreds or thousands of miles away, giving a faceless, unknown person sole authority over how that money is invested, as well as the ability to decide how often she can withdraw and use it to meet her family’s needs? Only someone given no other choice.
When we filed this case, I thought it would be 2-to-3 years of litigation. I believed all we had to do was expose the lack of accounting by the government, everyone would come to agreement over the issues, and we would settle the case. I expected to have a settlement 10 years ago; instead it turned into a battle of 14 years.
We have faced Secretaries of the Interior and Treasury in three presidential administrations to arrive at what we hope is this long journey’s final destination. Today we have an Administration that is listening to us, and an Administration willing to admit the wrongdoings of the past and settle this matter to benefit those who had to do without access to their own money for way too long.
Although we have reached a settlement totaling more than $3.4 billion dollars, there is little doubt this is significantly less than the full amount to which individual Indians are entitled. Yes, we could prolong our struggle and fight longer, and perhaps one day we would know – down to the penny – how much individual Indians are owed. Perhaps we could even litigate long enough to increase the settlement amount.
Nevertheless we are compelled to settle now by the sobering realization that our class grows smaller each year, each month, and every day, as our elders die, and are forever prevented from receiving their just compensation. We also face the uncomfortable, but unavoidable fact that a large number of individual money account holders currently subsist in the direst poverty, and this settlement can begin to address that extreme situation and provide some hope and a better quality of life for their remaining years.
I am particularly happy to see recognition of the need for funds to be set aside to promote higher education opportunities for Indian youth. When Indian parents and grandparents talk to me about this suit, they always speak of how they will use the money they receive to improve their children’s and grandchildren’s lives. I am hopeful that these funds can lift a generation and help break a cycle of poverty that has held too many Indian families and individuals in its grip for too many generations.
My greatest optimism about this settlement, however, is the hope it holds for significant and permanent reform in the way the Departments of Interior and Treasury account for and manage Individual Indian Money accounts. There is much room for improvement, and I expect the Commission that Secretary Salazar has announced to take on the challenge of making these substantive changes immediately.
Indians are dedicated to collaborating with the government in making these changes. We know this settlement does not solve the underlying problem and reform can’t stop here. We will continue to work to improve the Trust’s accountability. We’ve had to spend too much time looking backwards, trying to address the terrible wrongs of the past. Now my hope is that we can look forward to permanently correct those wrongs so that American Indian Money account holders will always have knowledge of and consistently receive what is rightfully theirs.
None of these accomplishments would have been possible without the concerted efforts of an extraordinary legal team and the support of generous funders. I am particularly grateful for the insight, vision, hard work and sense of justice that Dennis M. Gingold understands so clearly. I dedicate this settlement to him. It was his understanding of the historic mismanagement and his incredible, superhuman commitment to seeking justice for Individual Indian Money account holders that brought us to this point today. And while compromise is not in his DNA, those who benefit from his long, hard work on this case will always honor his contribution. Many additional dedicated lawyers and others also played important roles, and I thank them as well. There are too many to name them all, but unquestionably among them are Thaddeus Holt, and Keith Harper, Bill Dorris, David Smith and Elliott Levitas, attorneys at Kilpatrick Stockton LLP, as well as the organizations that funded the Individual Indian Monies Trust Correction and Recovery Project.
Equally important is the work of the Honorable James Robertson, the United States District Court Judge who presided over this case for the past three years. Judge Robertson recognized the need to resolve this case in a fair and expeditious manner and worked hard to bring the parties together to reach the settlement we have today. We owe much to the hard work of Judge Robertson.
Another individual critically important to this result was U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth, in whose courtroom Indians began to find justice. Judge Lamberth was not afraid to speak truth to power, and we are the beneficiaries of his knowledge of the law, sense of fair play, and judicial courage. We thank him.
Finally, I want to acknowledge the persistence and resilience of a half a million Individual Indian Money account holders who suffered through the historical mismanagement of their funds, yet never lost hope they would prevail and had the patience to wait this settlement out. They inspired us everyday and gave us the strength to continue.
I am proud to have played a role in this important undertaking and look forward to seeing this settlement bear fruit and improve the lives of hundreds of individual Indians’ across our great land.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Foster Family Christmas Party
This year I am interning at Humboldt Child Welfare. It has been an interesting and challenging internship. This blog is about the annual holiday party that is thrown for the foster families and foster youth. This year Santa Claus & Mrs. Claus were taking pictures with the youth and there was an elf in a beautifully handmade ensemble. The Soroptimist volunteered to cook and serve a lovely meal. There were games for the youth to play and lots of candy and cake. At one point most of the youth got on stage to sing a Christmas Carol together. I didn't feel it would be appropriate to take pictures of the youth, but here is a picture of Tara and I sitting respectively on Mrs. Claus & Santa Claus' laps.
Copenhagen.....
The United Nations Climate Change conference started today.
COP 15 began with a short film, "Please Save the World"
Amy Goodman is going to be broadcasting from Copenhagen for the next two weeks.
Democracy Now! | Radio and TV News
COP 15 began with a short film, "Please Save the World"
Amy Goodman is going to be broadcasting from Copenhagen for the next two weeks.
Democracy Now! | Radio and TV News
Friday, December 4, 2009
Something is not quite right.....
Today I had to go to campus to finish up a paper and take care of some other business. I parked by the Native Forum. Whenever, I'm in this area I am amazed at the huckleberry and salal plants that have been planted there. I always wonder why no one picks the berries. Lately, I have noticed the plants blossoming.
October is usually when the berries are ripe. I wonder if this an example climate change....
October is usually when the berries are ripe. I wonder if this an example climate change....
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Tales From the Sock Drawer: Multicolored Complications
For my community class, a group of my classmates and I have been working on a puppet show looking at diversity and social justice. We are hoping to have community members and folks from campus interacting in a discussion afterward.
Tales From the Sock Drawer: Multi-colored Complications
A screening of puppet vignettes about diversity and social justice with discussion & snacks following.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm
Humboldt State University, BSS Native Forum
Tales From the Sock Drawer: Multi-colored Complications
A screening of puppet vignettes about diversity and social justice with discussion & snacks following.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm
Humboldt State University, BSS Native Forum
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Woody Guthrie
Last night, American Masters featured Woody Guthrie. I realized that I really didn't know that much about him. I knew he was a folk singer/song writer, who had written some of the most influential songs about the dust bowl, unions, communism, war, anti-war, etc., etc.. I had no idea about the tragedy connected to his life.
"He was born in Okemah, Oklahoma, on July 14, 1912, 12 days after the Democrats nominated his namesake for the presidency of the United States.
Woodrow Wilson Guthrie -- "Woody" almost immediately -- was Charley Guthrie's son and like his father ever the optimist. He was Nora's son too, hers the gift of old songs, and a dreadful fear he would inherit her madness.
Together they raised Woody, his two brothers and two sisters in a middle-class, foredoomed home the neighbors judged one of the finest in that farming community turned oil boom town.
Life in Okemah might have been comfortable, with cotton prices up and beef down, but for the fires.
Fire was to dog Woody, boy and man. A kerosene lamp shattered - the OKEMAH LEDGER reported it as an accident, while folks in town whispered otherwise - and flames consumed his beloved older sister Clara, the one who called him "Woodblock," when the boy was just months shy of his seventh birthday.
Another blaze leveled the family home, sending the Guthries to live in the weathered London house, high on the weedy hillside overlooking the Fort Smith and Western depot at the foot of Columbia Street.
There were other fires, unexplained. Woody was not yet 15 when his mother hurled a kerosene lamp at a dozing Charley, searing his chest from neck to navel. Members of Charley's Masonic Lodge arranged to send Nora to the state asylum in Norman.
Years later, and half a continent distant, a short circuit in a newly repaired radio sent flames racing through the child's bedding, and took the life of Woody's charming daughter Cathy Ann, "Stackabones," the youngster who inspired so many of her father's magical songs for children.
And near the end of his wanderings, Woody splashed gasoline on a Florida campfire; it flared and severely burned his right arm. The puckered scars would leave him unable play guitar. He was left mute, the once restless youth turned rebel now a man resigned to his mother's fate.
Guthrie was just 42 when he entered the hospital for the last time in 1954. His period of true creativity had spanned no more than eight or nine years, though in that time, he had traveled far, seen wonders and known defeats, and written as many as 1,400 songs. He had traveled Route 66, he boasted, enough to run it up to 6,666, back and forth, across the county as whim and winds took him.
All the while, he never seemed to find what he was looking for."
According to the Huntington's Disease Society of America:
Huntington's Disease is a devastating, hereditary, degenerative brain disorder for which there is, at present, no effective treatment or cure. HD slowly diminishes the affected individual's ability to walk, think, talk and reason. Eventually, the person with HD becomes totally dependent upon others for his or her care. Huntington's Disease profoundly affects the lives of entire families -- emotionally, socially and economically.
The program was a wonderful reminder to be thankful for my life, but not to grow to complacent in comfort.
"He was born in Okemah, Oklahoma, on July 14, 1912, 12 days after the Democrats nominated his namesake for the presidency of the United States.
Woodrow Wilson Guthrie -- "Woody" almost immediately -- was Charley Guthrie's son and like his father ever the optimist. He was Nora's son too, hers the gift of old songs, and a dreadful fear he would inherit her madness.
Together they raised Woody, his two brothers and two sisters in a middle-class, foredoomed home the neighbors judged one of the finest in that farming community turned oil boom town.
Life in Okemah might have been comfortable, with cotton prices up and beef down, but for the fires.
Fire was to dog Woody, boy and man. A kerosene lamp shattered - the OKEMAH LEDGER reported it as an accident, while folks in town whispered otherwise - and flames consumed his beloved older sister Clara, the one who called him "Woodblock," when the boy was just months shy of his seventh birthday.
Another blaze leveled the family home, sending the Guthries to live in the weathered London house, high on the weedy hillside overlooking the Fort Smith and Western depot at the foot of Columbia Street.
There were other fires, unexplained. Woody was not yet 15 when his mother hurled a kerosene lamp at a dozing Charley, searing his chest from neck to navel. Members of Charley's Masonic Lodge arranged to send Nora to the state asylum in Norman.
Years later, and half a continent distant, a short circuit in a newly repaired radio sent flames racing through the child's bedding, and took the life of Woody's charming daughter Cathy Ann, "Stackabones," the youngster who inspired so many of her father's magical songs for children.
And near the end of his wanderings, Woody splashed gasoline on a Florida campfire; it flared and severely burned his right arm. The puckered scars would leave him unable play guitar. He was left mute, the once restless youth turned rebel now a man resigned to his mother's fate.
Guthrie was just 42 when he entered the hospital for the last time in 1954. His period of true creativity had spanned no more than eight or nine years, though in that time, he had traveled far, seen wonders and known defeats, and written as many as 1,400 songs. He had traveled Route 66, he boasted, enough to run it up to 6,666, back and forth, across the county as whim and winds took him.
All the while, he never seemed to find what he was looking for."
According to the Huntington's Disease Society of America:
Huntington's Disease is a devastating, hereditary, degenerative brain disorder for which there is, at present, no effective treatment or cure. HD slowly diminishes the affected individual's ability to walk, think, talk and reason. Eventually, the person with HD becomes totally dependent upon others for his or her care. Huntington's Disease profoundly affects the lives of entire families -- emotionally, socially and economically.
The program was a wonderful reminder to be thankful for my life, but not to grow to complacent in comfort.
West Side Story
For the last couple of weeks I have found the song "Officer Krupke" from West Side Story running through my head.
Dear kindly Sergeant Krupke,
You gotta understand,
It's just our bringin' up-ke
That gets us out of hand.
Our mothers all are junkies,
Our fathers all are drunks.
Golly Moses, natcherly we're punks!
Gee, Officer Krupke, we're very upset;
We never had the love that ev'ry child oughta get.
We ain't no delinquents,
We're misunderstood.
Deep down inside us there is good!
Throughout the song the youth is passed from one professional to the next and each with a different idea about the youth. It reminds me of one of the youths I am working with. They have so many different diagnosis from varying professionals.
Last weekend, my partner spent the day with me. He volunteered to help cook at the Raven Project . After that we attended the Handmade Holidays craft fair at the Bayside grange. Where he bought me a very cute head band made by a very talented woman. Next we went to the library so I could do research for several project that are due next week and he could read his book. After that we went to the Arcata Theatre Lounge to view a screening of West Side Story.
I love West Side Story and was really looking forward to seeing the film on the big screen. I had forgotten that the film is really about disenfranchised youth fighting, racism, immigration, AND tragic love.
Immigration....
Dear kindly Sergeant Krupke,
You gotta understand,
It's just our bringin' up-ke
That gets us out of hand.
Our mothers all are junkies,
Our fathers all are drunks.
Golly Moses, natcherly we're punks!
Gee, Officer Krupke, we're very upset;
We never had the love that ev'ry child oughta get.
We ain't no delinquents,
We're misunderstood.
Deep down inside us there is good!
Throughout the song the youth is passed from one professional to the next and each with a different idea about the youth. It reminds me of one of the youths I am working with. They have so many different diagnosis from varying professionals.
Last weekend, my partner spent the day with me. He volunteered to help cook at the Raven Project . After that we attended the Handmade Holidays craft fair at the Bayside grange. Where he bought me a very cute head band made by a very talented woman. Next we went to the library so I could do research for several project that are due next week and he could read his book. After that we went to the Arcata Theatre Lounge to view a screening of West Side Story.
I love West Side Story and was really looking forward to seeing the film on the big screen. I had forgotten that the film is really about disenfranchised youth fighting, racism, immigration, AND tragic love.
Immigration....
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Critical Thinking
Several pages into chapter eight, "Using Self in Community Practice: Assertiveness" is a section on critical thinking. The book lists the logical fallacies~
1)Ad hominem
2)Appeal to authority (ad verecundium)
3)Diversion (red herring)
4)Stereotyping
5)Manner or style
6)Group think
7)Bandwagon
8)Either-or(false dilemma)
9)Straw man argument
I had a flashback to my days at College of the Redwoods and my philosophy instructor in his cowboy boots going over the fallacies so in depth.
1)Ad hominem
2)Appeal to authority (ad verecundium)
3)Diversion (red herring)
4)Stereotyping
5)Manner or style
6)Group think
7)Bandwagon
8)Either-or(false dilemma)
9)Straw man argument
I had a flashback to my days at College of the Redwoods and my philosophy instructor in his cowboy boots going over the fallacies so in depth.
Assertiveness......
I have always been a rather quiet person. I usually tend to listen more in class than voice my feelings or thoughts on a subject. However, in the last couple of years I have really tried to push myself to speak up more and voice my opinions. It isn't always easy or comfortable. Sometimes I still observe rather than participate, but I put myself out there a lot more than I had in the past.
In the MSW program, I have realized the great importance of self-advocacy. I not only need to be able to effectively advocate for my clients, but also for myself. Last year definitely pushed my comfort level and my boundaries. I was forced to advocate for the support I needed and to have my academic needs met.
Last year, I was asked to speak as a Native student at American Indian College Motivation Day. I said no. I didn't feel comfortable speaking in front of hundreds of teenagers. This year, I said yes. I felt it was an important thing to do in my last year at HSU. That is also one of the main reasons I decided to be the social work student association president. I wanted to push my comfort level. I may be overextending myself a bit though......
Prison Industrial Complex
The first weekend of November I attended a two day class on the Prison Industrial Complex. It was a weekend workshop offered by the sociology department. We read "Are Prisons Obsolete?" by Angela Davis as a requirement for the class.
On Saturday after the class, Bar None a prison abolition group was celebrating their 10 year anniversary.
There was an example of what a solitary housing unit feels like.
There was some amazing artwork~
The evening had a variety of speakers and people reading letters that prisoners had written to Bar None to mark their ten year anniversary. Some of them were so moving, but I feel the most intense moving part of the evening was having a gentleman who had just gotten out of prison speak. He spoke so honestly about his crime and incarceration and the time he spent in the shu.
All in all it was an informative and intense weekend.
On Saturday after the class, Bar None a prison abolition group was celebrating their 10 year anniversary.
There was an example of what a solitary housing unit feels like.
There was some amazing artwork~
The evening had a variety of speakers and people reading letters that prisoners had written to Bar None to mark their ten year anniversary. Some of them were so moving, but I feel the most intense moving part of the evening was having a gentleman who had just gotten out of prison speak. He spoke so honestly about his crime and incarceration and the time he spent in the shu.
All in all it was an informative and intense weekend.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Listen to the Grandmothers at the Ink People October 29th
Two Feathers Native American Family Services,
Ink People Center for the Arts, and
The Humboldt County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council’s Prevention Committee
Invites you to:
A FREE community screening and discussion of
Listen to the Grandmothers
A documentary featuring interviews with Native elders who speak to the problem of violence against Native women. The film provides an historical overview of violence against Native women, traditional responses to such violence and an analysis of incorporating cultural traditions into contemporary responses to violence against Native women.
Date: Thursday, October 29th, 2009
Location: Ink People Center for the Arts
411 12th Street, Eureka
Time: 6:00 to 9:00 pm
~Free dinner provided~
RSVP to Karen at 441-5553.
If you are planning on attending please look at the guide that accompanies the video:
Listen To The Grandmothers
Video Guide and Resource:
Incorporating Tradition into Contemporary Responses
to Violence Against Native Women
Ink People Center for the Arts, and
The Humboldt County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council’s Prevention Committee
Invites you to:
A FREE community screening and discussion of
Listen to the Grandmothers
A documentary featuring interviews with Native elders who speak to the problem of violence against Native women. The film provides an historical overview of violence against Native women, traditional responses to such violence and an analysis of incorporating cultural traditions into contemporary responses to violence against Native women.
Date: Thursday, October 29th, 2009
Location: Ink People Center for the Arts
411 12th Street, Eureka
Time: 6:00 to 9:00 pm
~Free dinner provided~
RSVP to Karen at 441-5553.
If you are planning on attending please look at the guide that accompanies the video:
Listen To The Grandmothers
Video Guide and Resource:
Incorporating Tradition into Contemporary Responses
to Violence Against Native Women
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
The Public Option is NOT Dead
While I'm at home with what is assumed to be swine flu aka H1N1, I saw that perhaps the public option is still possible.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
“Bright-Sided: How the Relentless Promotion of Positive Thinking Has Undermined America”
Last Tuesday, Author Barbara Ehrenreich was on Democracy Now speaking about her latest book, “Bright-Sided: How the Relentless Promotion of Positive Thinking Has Undermined America”
Responding to Hate - Standing for Justice
About two weeks ago, this letter was sent out from Rollin Richmond:
Memo from the President - Responding to Hate - Standing for Justice
The Anti Bias/Anti-Hate Subcommittee of the Diversity Plan Action Council asked me to transmit this e-mail message to you. Please know that it has my full support.
Rollin C. Richmond
President
Dear Campus Community:
This message is to update you on the university's ongoing response to the recent hate incident on campus. First, please know that the University is very concerned with this particular incident, other incidents of bigotry, and any efforts at intimidation. In this case, we are honoring the wishes of the person at whom the specific attack was aimed, first by waiting to release information to the campus community until that person made a decision whether to return to the University, and second by not releasing specifics of the event. We, the Anti-Bias / Anti-Hate Subcommittee of the Diversity Plan Action Council (DPAC), encourage the University community to recognize this incident not only as a violation of an individual but also as a human and social group violation. It is at that level that we can and should respond collectively.
In that vein, students, staff and faculty held a "stand for human rights" vigil in front of Harry Griffith Hall on October 1 to affirm the importance of human rights and to support diversity on our campus.
To continue this work of creating a community where all feel welcome, safe, and respected, the Anti-Bias/Anti-Hate Subcommittee has scheduled a "Responding to Hate – Standing for Justice" forum for Wednesday October 7, 5:00-7:00 p.m., in Goodwin Forum (Nelson Hall East 102). This Subcommittee is also working to implement a university-wide Rapid Response Team to address hate incidents and to ensure continued dialogue and education in order to improve campus climate.
To continue these critical dialogues, we encourage your participation in the upcoming 12th Annual Campus Dialogue on Race, November 1-8. This year's schedule will be available at: http://www.humboldt.edu/~dialogue/
Sincerely,
Anti-Bias/Anti-Hate Subcommittee
Jennifer Eichstedt, Co-Chair
I chose to leave my internship early to be able to attend this forum. I was very concerned when I learned of the incident on campus that caused a person to resign and want to leave the community. I felt it was important to attend this forum.
I was surprised about the low number of students in attendance and the lack of very many students of color. I was appreciative of the diverse university employees in attendance: President Richmond, Provost Snyder, university police, and a range of women's studies, ethnic studies, sociology professors. However, I was very disheartened by extremely vocal, antisemitic, racist person in attendance. It was very bizarre. It's one thing to see hate speech on television or somewhere removed, but it is another to be sitting five feet away from such HATE.
The man interrupted the opening discussions by challenging the speaker about the number of crimes perpetrated upon white people. He claimed that gangs of black people were killing white people across America. He continued with a diatribe about professors on campus teaching to hate whiteness and directed this at one of my social work professors who was not in attendance. He also focused on the Jewish agenda for several minutes. He went on for a bit attacking the professor and then moved on to some of the usual propaganda against Obama, challenging whether or not he is a citizen and calling him a socialist king, etc., etc.. Finally he desisted in his hate speech.
Then the discussion actually continued to ways the campus could become a more inclusive safe space for all. We then broke into small groups to address Anti-Bias Response Team and how to create a create more dialogue around diversity and inclusiveness.
I was hoping to leave the forum feeling better about the campus coming together over this bias/hate incident. Yet, I left feeling more dejected and less safe on this campus.
Memo from the President - Responding to Hate - Standing for Justice
The Anti Bias/Anti-Hate Subcommittee of the Diversity Plan Action Council asked me to transmit this e-mail message to you. Please know that it has my full support.
Rollin C. Richmond
President
Dear Campus Community:
This message is to update you on the university's ongoing response to the recent hate incident on campus. First, please know that the University is very concerned with this particular incident, other incidents of bigotry, and any efforts at intimidation. In this case, we are honoring the wishes of the person at whom the specific attack was aimed, first by waiting to release information to the campus community until that person made a decision whether to return to the University, and second by not releasing specifics of the event. We, the Anti-Bias / Anti-Hate Subcommittee of the Diversity Plan Action Council (DPAC), encourage the University community to recognize this incident not only as a violation of an individual but also as a human and social group violation. It is at that level that we can and should respond collectively.
In that vein, students, staff and faculty held a "stand for human rights" vigil in front of Harry Griffith Hall on October 1 to affirm the importance of human rights and to support diversity on our campus.
To continue this work of creating a community where all feel welcome, safe, and respected, the Anti-Bias/Anti-Hate Subcommittee has scheduled a "Responding to Hate – Standing for Justice" forum for Wednesday October 7, 5:00-7:00 p.m., in Goodwin Forum (Nelson Hall East 102). This Subcommittee is also working to implement a university-wide Rapid Response Team to address hate incidents and to ensure continued dialogue and education in order to improve campus climate.
To continue these critical dialogues, we encourage your participation in the upcoming 12th Annual Campus Dialogue on Race, November 1-8. This year's schedule will be available at: http://www.humboldt.edu/~dialogue/
Sincerely,
Anti-Bias/Anti-Hate Subcommittee
Jennifer Eichstedt, Co-Chair
I chose to leave my internship early to be able to attend this forum. I was very concerned when I learned of the incident on campus that caused a person to resign and want to leave the community. I felt it was important to attend this forum.
I was surprised about the low number of students in attendance and the lack of very many students of color. I was appreciative of the diverse university employees in attendance: President Richmond, Provost Snyder, university police, and a range of women's studies, ethnic studies, sociology professors. However, I was very disheartened by extremely vocal, antisemitic, racist person in attendance. It was very bizarre. It's one thing to see hate speech on television or somewhere removed, but it is another to be sitting five feet away from such HATE.
The man interrupted the opening discussions by challenging the speaker about the number of crimes perpetrated upon white people. He claimed that gangs of black people were killing white people across America. He continued with a diatribe about professors on campus teaching to hate whiteness and directed this at one of my social work professors who was not in attendance. He also focused on the Jewish agenda for several minutes. He went on for a bit attacking the professor and then moved on to some of the usual propaganda against Obama, challenging whether or not he is a citizen and calling him a socialist king, etc., etc.. Finally he desisted in his hate speech.
Then the discussion actually continued to ways the campus could become a more inclusive safe space for all. We then broke into small groups to address Anti-Bias Response Team and how to create a create more dialogue around diversity and inclusiveness.
I was hoping to leave the forum feeling better about the campus coming together over this bias/hate incident. Yet, I left feeling more dejected and less safe on this campus.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Unnatural Causes
Last spring the Social Work Student Association was able to partner with public health to bring several Unnatural Causes episodes to campus. I watched the series when it originally aired in the spring of 2008. I really enjoyed it and wanted to share it with the community. I saw an ad for the series airing again this October.
From the website:
UNNATURAL CAUSES is the acclaimed documentary series broadcast by PBS and now used by thousands of organizations around the country to tackle the root causes of our alarming socio-economic and racial inequities in health.
The four-hour series crisscrosses the nation uncovering startling new findings that suggest there is much more to our health than bad habits, health care, or unlucky genes. The social circumstances in which we are born, live, and work can actually get under our skin and disrupt our physiology as much as germs and viruses.
There are six episodes:
In Sickness and In Wealth (56 min.) How does the distribution of power, wealth and resources shape opportunities for health?
When the Bough Breaks (29 min.) Can racism become embedded in the body and affect birth outcomes?
Becoming American (29 min.) Latino immigrants arrive healthy, so why don’t they stay that way?
Bad Sugar (29 min.) What are the connections between diabetes, oppression, and empowerment in two Native American communities?
Place Matters (29 min.) Why is your street address such a strong predictor of your health?
Collateral Damage (29 min.) How do Marshall Islanders pay for globalization and U.S. military policy with their health?
Not Just a Paycheck (30 min.) Why do layoffs take such a huge toll in Michigan but cause hardly a ripple in Sweden?
Here are the times for the first two episodes:
Unnatural Causes: Is Inequality Making Us Sick?: In Sickness and in Wealth
Friday, October 9, 10:00pm
How health is linked to one's financial well-being.
Unnatural Causes: Is Inequality Making Us Sick?: In Sickness and in Wealth
Sunday, October 11, 3:00am
How health is linked to one's financial well-being.
Unnatural Causes: Is Inequality Making Us Sick?: In Sickness and in Wealth
Thursday, October 15, 11:30am
How health is linked to one's financial well-being.
Unnatural Causes: Is Inequality Making Us Sick?: When the Bough Breaks; Becoming American
Friday, October 16, 10:00pm
The infant-mortality rates of blacks and whites.
Unnatural Causes: Is Inequality Making Us Sick?: When the Bough Breaks; Becoming American
Sunday, October 18, 3:00am
The infant-mortality rates of blacks and whites.
From the website:
UNNATURAL CAUSES is the acclaimed documentary series broadcast by PBS and now used by thousands of organizations around the country to tackle the root causes of our alarming socio-economic and racial inequities in health.
The four-hour series crisscrosses the nation uncovering startling new findings that suggest there is much more to our health than bad habits, health care, or unlucky genes. The social circumstances in which we are born, live, and work can actually get under our skin and disrupt our physiology as much as germs and viruses.
There are six episodes:
In Sickness and In Wealth (56 min.) How does the distribution of power, wealth and resources shape opportunities for health?
When the Bough Breaks (29 min.) Can racism become embedded in the body and affect birth outcomes?
Becoming American (29 min.) Latino immigrants arrive healthy, so why don’t they stay that way?
Bad Sugar (29 min.) What are the connections between diabetes, oppression, and empowerment in two Native American communities?
Place Matters (29 min.) Why is your street address such a strong predictor of your health?
Collateral Damage (29 min.) How do Marshall Islanders pay for globalization and U.S. military policy with their health?
Not Just a Paycheck (30 min.) Why do layoffs take such a huge toll in Michigan but cause hardly a ripple in Sweden?
Here are the times for the first two episodes:
Unnatural Causes: Is Inequality Making Us Sick?: In Sickness and in Wealth
Friday, October 9, 10:00pm
How health is linked to one's financial well-being.
Unnatural Causes: Is Inequality Making Us Sick?: In Sickness and in Wealth
Sunday, October 11, 3:00am
How health is linked to one's financial well-being.
Unnatural Causes: Is Inequality Making Us Sick?: In Sickness and in Wealth
Thursday, October 15, 11:30am
How health is linked to one's financial well-being.
Unnatural Causes: Is Inequality Making Us Sick?: When the Bough Breaks; Becoming American
Friday, October 16, 10:00pm
The infant-mortality rates of blacks and whites.
Unnatural Causes: Is Inequality Making Us Sick?: When the Bough Breaks; Becoming American
Sunday, October 18, 3:00am
The infant-mortality rates of blacks and whites.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
The Sound Of Moolah
Last night, I saw "The Sound of Moolah", a puppet musical about health care reform. It was presented by the Single-Payer Players. Which includes my primary health provider, Corinne Frugoni, who works at UIHS. Here is the first scene:
It was an amusing tale that included lyrics set the same tune of "My Favorite Things", such as:
We don't pay for health care, just erections,
You're canceled; you didn't say you'd had yeast infections
We put you on hold when the telephone rings
These are a few of my favorite things.
When the dog bites, when the bee stings
When you are feeling bad
I simply remember my favorite things
And you have to pay the tab. Owwww
After the musical puppetry, the players urged the audience to call 1-866-338-1015 and express support for replacing the language in HR 3200 with the language of HR 676.
They also urged the audience to support SB 810: The California Universal Healthcare Act.
It was an amusing tale that included lyrics set the same tune of "My Favorite Things", such as:
We don't pay for health care, just erections,
You're canceled; you didn't say you'd had yeast infections
We put you on hold when the telephone rings
These are a few of my favorite things.
When the dog bites, when the bee stings
When you are feeling bad
I simply remember my favorite things
And you have to pay the tab. Owwww
After the musical puppetry, the players urged the audience to call 1-866-338-1015 and express support for replacing the language in HR 3200 with the language of HR 676.
They also urged the audience to support SB 810: The California Universal Healthcare Act.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
My Personal Response to the Class Session on Colonialism
I had a rather visceral reaction to a lecture and presentation about colonialism that occurred in class about a month ago. The information I had seen before in my undergraduate courses. My undergraduate studies focused on psychology, Native American Studies, and sociology.
I have debated about finishing writing this entry which I began a month ago. That is part of the reason I have not been posting much. I've had this draft sitting since mid September. When I started the MSW program at HSU, I was warned by several faculty and other folks that I may encounter opinions of my classmates that might be upsetting because of their cultural insensitivity. During this class session was the first time I had really noticed anyone openly having a lack of compassion about the material being presented. Rolling of eyes and other body language gave me a new feeling of isolation that I hadn't felt before in the cohort. I do not expect to get along with all my classmates, but I do try to be respectful. I was surprised by the reaction of my peers as social workers in this setting.
Honestly, the whole incident left me disheartened and made me question how culturally sensitive some of my classmates will be with their clients if they can't even manage it with their peers. It will also make me less likely to share anything with the class because now I know it is NOT a safe or supportive environment.
I have debated about finishing writing this entry which I began a month ago. That is part of the reason I have not been posting much. I've had this draft sitting since mid September. When I started the MSW program at HSU, I was warned by several faculty and other folks that I may encounter opinions of my classmates that might be upsetting because of their cultural insensitivity. During this class session was the first time I had really noticed anyone openly having a lack of compassion about the material being presented. Rolling of eyes and other body language gave me a new feeling of isolation that I hadn't felt before in the cohort. I do not expect to get along with all my classmates, but I do try to be respectful. I was surprised by the reaction of my peers as social workers in this setting.
Honestly, the whole incident left me disheartened and made me question how culturally sensitive some of my classmates will be with their clients if they can't even manage it with their peers. It will also make me less likely to share anything with the class because now I know it is NOT a safe or supportive environment.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Colonialism: The Canary Effect
Last week, I received a notification that film, The Canary Effect was again available for purchase. I had tried in the past to get a copy, but they have been unavailable for about a year. I promptly made the purchase with my overextended credit card because being able to share this film is important to me. I am looking forward to being able to share this film on campus during Indigenous Peoples Week. However, there shouldn't just be a week once a year to think about these topics.......
Thursday, September 10, 2009
More on Health Care
I enjoy Robert Reich. A few years ago I saw him speak on campus. I was impressed with his diligence and sense of humor. Here is his recent video on the public option and health care reform.
Last night, the president gave his speech on health care. I was glad to hear him talk about the public option.
On a lighter note, here is a video Reich & Conan made that my sweetie recommended.
Last night, the president gave his speech on health care. I was glad to hear him talk about the public option.
On a lighter note, here is a video Reich & Conan made that my sweetie recommended.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Poor People's March for Human Rights!
Unfortunately, I am working this day. However, I wanted to share this event.
POOR PEOPLE'S MARCH FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
Contact: People for a Human Rights Sanctuary, Kathy (707) 444-3155
All are invited on Saturday, September 12th in Eureka:
Poor People's March for Human Rights
followed by a speak-out Celebration with food and music!
We will march for HUMAN RIGHTS: safe shelter, healthy food, healthcare, and dignity FOR ALL.
The March will begin at 14th and Summer Streets, near Food for People and the DMV.
and will end at Highland Park, on Glen (aka Fairfield) and Highland Avenue.
We'll begin marching at 10 am on Saturday September 12th, and
get the celebration started at Highland Park at Noon.
For more information, and if you want to help get things together for this important community event, please contact:
People for a Human Rights Sanctuary at (707) 444-3155 or 442-7465; or emailpeopleforahumanrightssanctuary@gmail.com.
Gather everyone you know for the Poor People's March for Human Rights!
Saturday, September 12th.
POOR PEOPLE'S MARCH FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
Contact: People for a Human Rights Sanctuary, Kathy (707) 444-3155
All are invited on Saturday, September 12th in Eureka:
Poor People's March for Human Rights
followed by a speak-out Celebration with food and music!
We will march for HUMAN RIGHTS: safe shelter, healthy food, healthcare, and dignity FOR ALL.
The March will begin at 14th and Summer Streets, near Food for People and the DMV.
and will end at Highland Park, on Glen (aka Fairfield) and Highland Avenue.
We'll begin marching at 10 am on Saturday September 12th, and
get the celebration started at Highland Park at Noon.
For more information, and if you want to help get things together for this important community event, please contact:
People for a Human Rights Sanctuary at (707) 444-3155 or 442-7465; or emailpeopleforahumanrightssanctuary@gmail.com.
Gather everyone you know for the Poor People's March for Human Rights!
Saturday, September 12th.
Controversial Speech about working hard and personal responsibility
Today President Obama addressed the school children of America. It has been quite a controversial speech. Most of the speech is about personal responsibility, hard work, and personal hygiene.
Judge for yourself.
full text of the speech
We discussed this in class today. When I came home, my partner mentioned a facebook thread that began with, "Is this controversial? "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."
This thread was surprisingly quite controversial. I was surprised about how much people object to the speech when Reagan & Bush also addressed the school children of America. I hope that all parents would discuss the speech with their children as they would with any other school activity. I realize not all parents are involved with their child's classroom, but it seem that would be an obvious choice for the parents who are objecting to this speech.
Now if only I can take Obama's advice,"So I expect you to get serious this year. I expect you to put your best effort into everything you do. I expect great things from each of you. So don’t let us down – don’t let your family or your country or yourself down. Make us all proud. I know you can do it."
I better get back to homework.......
Judge for yourself.
full text of the speech
We discussed this in class today. When I came home, my partner mentioned a facebook thread that began with, "Is this controversial? "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."
This thread was surprisingly quite controversial. I was surprised about how much people object to the speech when Reagan & Bush also addressed the school children of America. I hope that all parents would discuss the speech with their children as they would with any other school activity. I realize not all parents are involved with their child's classroom, but it seem that would be an obvious choice for the parents who are objecting to this speech.
Now if only I can take Obama's advice,"So I expect you to get serious this year. I expect you to put your best effort into everything you do. I expect great things from each of you. So don’t let us down – don’t let your family or your country or yourself down. Make us all proud. I know you can do it."
I better get back to homework.......
Monday, September 7, 2009
Salt of the Earth
This week for class we were required to watch, "Salt of the Earth".
The 1954 film is based on an actual strike against the Empire Zinc Mine in New Mexico, the film deals with the prejudice against the Mexican-American workers, who struck to attain wage parity with Anglo workers in other mines and to be treated with dignity by the bosses. The film is an early treatment of feminism, because the wives of the miners play a pivotal role in the strike, against their husbands wishes. In the end, the greatest victory for the workers and their families is the realization that prejudice and poor treatment are conditions that are not always imposed by outside forces. This film was written, directed and produced by members of the original "Hollywood Ten," who were blacklisted for refusing to answer Congressional inquiries on First Amendment grounds. Written by Bob Shields {rshields@igc.apc.org}
The 1954 film is based on an actual strike against the Empire Zinc Mine in New Mexico, the film deals with the prejudice against the Mexican-American workers, who struck to attain wage parity with Anglo workers in other mines and to be treated with dignity by the bosses. The film is an early treatment of feminism, because the wives of the miners play a pivotal role in the strike, against their husbands wishes. In the end, the greatest victory for the workers and their families is the realization that prejudice and poor treatment are conditions that are not always imposed by outside forces. This film was written, directed and produced by members of the original "Hollywood Ten," who were blacklisted for refusing to answer Congressional inquiries on First Amendment grounds. Written by Bob Shields {rshields@igc.apc.org}
The man behind Blue Velvet & Eraserhead quoted in my class......
I was happily surprised when my professor quoted David Lynch in our class last week. Yes, the man who brought us Twin Peaks was quoted in my graduate studies course. I was delighted. The David Lynch Foundation: for Consciousness-Based Education and World Peace focuses on transcendental meditation.
www.davidlynchfoundation.org
David Lynch on Consciousness, Creativity and the Brain (Transcendental Meditation)
According to the foundation's website, they provide funds for students to learn to meditate through Transcendental Meditation centers, hospital-sponsored wellness programs, boys and girls clubs, before- and after-school programs and in schools when invited by the administration. Instruction is voluntary and is provided to a child with the permission of a parent and at no cost to the family, organization or school. In the past year, the Foundation has provided millions of dollars for thousands of students, teachers, and parents to learn to meditate. The Foundation also provides funds for independent research institutions to assess the effects of the program on creativity, intelligence, brain functioning, academic performance, ADHD and other learning disorders, anxiety, depression, and substance abuse.
ADHD: Medication or Transcendental Meditation?
There have been several high level fundraiser events for the this cause. The events have included Donovan, members of the Beatles, Eddie Vedder, etc., etc.. Here is a lovely clip of Donovan performing a slightly different version of "The Hurdy Gurdy Man".
At the end of September, the foundation is the sponsor for the International Conference, Building a Healthy, Sustainable American Indian Community: Innovative approach includes meditation, preventive medicine, wind and solar technologies, and organic greenhouses. The website has an interesting video about the effects of transcendental meditation on diabetes and high blood pressure in indigenous communities. www.americanindiansustainableconference.org
My professor focuses on neuroplasticity. Here is Norman Doidge discussing the brain and neuroplasticity:
Perhaps, now I'll spend the rest of my Labor Day, drinking PBR and watch the lime green box set I still haven't finished watching.
www.davidlynchfoundation.org
David Lynch on Consciousness, Creativity and the Brain (Transcendental Meditation)
According to the foundation's website, they provide funds for students to learn to meditate through Transcendental Meditation centers, hospital-sponsored wellness programs, boys and girls clubs, before- and after-school programs and in schools when invited by the administration. Instruction is voluntary and is provided to a child with the permission of a parent and at no cost to the family, organization or school. In the past year, the Foundation has provided millions of dollars for thousands of students, teachers, and parents to learn to meditate. The Foundation also provides funds for independent research institutions to assess the effects of the program on creativity, intelligence, brain functioning, academic performance, ADHD and other learning disorders, anxiety, depression, and substance abuse.
ADHD: Medication or Transcendental Meditation?
There have been several high level fundraiser events for the this cause. The events have included Donovan, members of the Beatles, Eddie Vedder, etc., etc.. Here is a lovely clip of Donovan performing a slightly different version of "The Hurdy Gurdy Man".
At the end of September, the foundation is the sponsor for the International Conference, Building a Healthy, Sustainable American Indian Community: Innovative approach includes meditation, preventive medicine, wind and solar technologies, and organic greenhouses. The website has an interesting video about the effects of transcendental meditation on diabetes and high blood pressure in indigenous communities. www.americanindiansustainableconference.org
My professor focuses on neuroplasticity. Here is Norman Doidge discussing the brain and neuroplasticity:
Perhaps, now I'll spend the rest of my Labor Day, drinking PBR and watch the lime green box set I still haven't finished watching.
Health Care Reform?
Health care reform has been a passionate topic for debate for many years. With Senator Kennedy's death still fresh in our minds, I thought a video from him discussing health care would be appropriate. Although I realize many people have concerns about his tumultuous and troubled past, I feel he like many people deserve a chance to show the greater good they can accomplish. He was a multifaceted and complex person. No person is entirely good or evil. I hope we can focus on the strengths of this man and his life, not ignore anything, but to simply focus on the good in his passing.
In the last six months with town hall meetings across this country, tempers have been flaring. Last Wednesday, there was a town hall meeting in Eureka with Congressman Mike Thompson. The large crowd was pretty well divided on their political views.
I observed several disagreements between people who were standing next to one another. People had a few heated words and then moved to another part of the crowd. However, I was pleasantly surprised that although people disagreed, they were able to be somewhat polite. I only witnessed one person being removed from the town hall meeting. Thankfully, no fisticuffs or biting happened during our local meeting. Here is a video composed by the local conservative group old glory radio. While I do not agree with their agenda, I thought it was interesting to see their coverage of the meeting.
Alas, they chose not to show the young veteran who proposed marijuana hospitals or the community member who proposed that Jesus was a socialist.
In the last six months with town hall meetings across this country, tempers have been flaring. Last Wednesday, there was a town hall meeting in Eureka with Congressman Mike Thompson. The large crowd was pretty well divided on their political views.
I observed several disagreements between people who were standing next to one another. People had a few heated words and then moved to another part of the crowd. However, I was pleasantly surprised that although people disagreed, they were able to be somewhat polite. I only witnessed one person being removed from the town hall meeting. Thankfully, no fisticuffs or biting happened during our local meeting. Here is a video composed by the local conservative group old glory radio. While I do not agree with their agenda, I thought it was interesting to see their coverage of the meeting.
Alas, they chose not to show the young veteran who proposed marijuana hospitals or the community member who proposed that Jesus was a socialist.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Congressman Thompson to Host Town Hall on health care reform
I just wanted to share that Mike Thompson will be hosting a town hall meeting on health care reform.
Congressman Thompson will host an in-person town hall meeting on health care reform Wednesday, September 2, 2009, from 5:30 – 6:30 pm. The forum will be held at Redwood Acres Fairgrounds, Home Economics Building, 3750 Harris Street, in Eureka. All constituents are invited to attend, seating will be on a first-come, first-serve basis.
“I am interested in hearing ideas from our community on how to improve health care in our country and how to make it more accessible for everyone,” said Congressman Mike Thompson.
WHO: Congressman Mike Thompson
WHAT: Town Hall Meeting
WHEN: 5:30-6:30pm; Wednesday, September 2, 2009
WHERE: Redwood Acres Fairgrounds
Home Economics Building
3750 Harris Street, Eureka
Congressman Thompson will host an in-person town hall meeting on health care reform Wednesday, September 2, 2009, from 5:30 – 6:30 pm. The forum will be held at Redwood Acres Fairgrounds, Home Economics Building, 3750 Harris Street, in Eureka. All constituents are invited to attend, seating will be on a first-come, first-serve basis.
“I am interested in hearing ideas from our community on how to improve health care in our country and how to make it more accessible for everyone,” said Congressman Mike Thompson.
WHO: Congressman Mike Thompson
WHAT: Town Hall Meeting
WHEN: 5:30-6:30pm; Wednesday, September 2, 2009
WHERE: Redwood Acres Fairgrounds
Home Economics Building
3750 Harris Street, Eureka
Saturday, August 29, 2009
First week of the second year of grad school
I am from Humboldt County with a few brief interludes in Arizona, the bay area, and Sacramento area. My undergraduate studies were in Native American Studies and sociology. I originally wanted to be an elementary school teacher. However, after a year of volunteering in my little sister's class, I realized there were many more challenges facing the students than struggling to learn. Many of the students in the class were from socioeconomically challenged backgrounds. Later, I took a wonderful sociology course with Steve Stamnes called the Sociology of Altruism & Compassion. During this course, I realized that I greatly enjoyed direct work with people and started looking more seriously at the MSW program at HSU. I liked the focus on working with Native American populations and the great breadth of a generalist program. Now, I am entering my second year in the program.
For my community work class this semester, it is required that each student has a social work blog. I'm not sure how I feel about having to maintain a blog every week and being graded upon those entries. Admittedly, I was rather leery of coming back to school after the summer. Last year was a rather difficult year personally and professionally. Now, I am back in the swing of school. This year, I am interning at Humboldt County Child Welfare Services in the family reunification and family maintenance section.
Aside from the academic setting, I really enjoy art, music, movies, and literature. I can be a bit of a pop culture junkie when I am not completely overwhelmed with school.
For my community work class this semester, it is required that each student has a social work blog. I'm not sure how I feel about having to maintain a blog every week and being graded upon those entries. Admittedly, I was rather leery of coming back to school after the summer. Last year was a rather difficult year personally and professionally. Now, I am back in the swing of school. This year, I am interning at Humboldt County Child Welfare Services in the family reunification and family maintenance section.
Aside from the academic setting, I really enjoy art, music, movies, and literature. I can be a bit of a pop culture junkie when I am not completely overwhelmed with school.
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