House of Pain

So I am probably one of the last people on Earth who just started watching Tyler Perry's House of Pain. But has I was watching the show my boyfriend told me something intersting about Perry. He went from being homeless to living in a $5 million dollar mansion since the creation of his show. However, I found the messages his show portrayed to be a bit controversial. While I personally enjoy his work, it is full of black stereotypes. It is also interesting that there are no prominent figures in the show as far as I can tell. Considering his background one would think that he would want to go against the stereotypes and in someway portray something positive in the show. But then again it could just be me, because like I said I just started watching it.

Obama Wins Nobel Peace Prize

Now Im sure by now most of you have heard about Obama's latest acheivement, The Nobel Peace Prize. But I think it is still worthwhile talking about because it is pertinent to the issues of the class. When I heard the news it made me curious about who else has one the prize. It was interesting to find out that only 3 United States Presidents other than Obama have won the Peace Prize and two of the were in the early 1900's. I think it says a lot about our country. Obama is carrying out his promise of changing foreigeners perceptions on America.
Has I looked up the previous winners I found it interesting the variety of people who have received the world. It has always appeared that white men get more attention that other races. But when it comes to the Nobel Peace Prize, they truly have awarded it to a variety of races and ethnicities. However, there was one group that seemed to be vastly underepresented in the awardings.. Women. While many women have received the prize, there are still about 5 or 6 men for every female. Just thought I would point that out.

Michelle Obama's Family History

Wow. Did anyone catch the New York Times this moring or the news? Apparently they have traced back Michelle Obama's history to slavery. Both her mother and father's side of the family had previously been slaves. A researcher discovered Michelle Obama's ancestors on a property list, they even discovered will wich left one of her (grandmothers?) to another owner. The women was forced to up and leave where she was previously living to go with her new owner.
Hearing about Michelle's history really makes you think about how far our world has come, even though there is still much progress to be made. To think if thinks have not changed she would have never been a first lady, nor would she have accomplished all she has in her personal life. If we had not seeked change she could have still been in slavery. The progress she has personally made serves as a reminder and pusher for change.

The New Face of Homelessness

So today I thought I would talk about a different group that is contantly discriminated against in society... the homeless. When thinking of homeless people many stereotypical thoughts come to mind. A man holding a sign on the corner, dirty clothes, drug addict, lazy, boxes, cars, prosititution,etc. Im sure many of you can add on to the list with ease, a list that television has helped to create. But many of you may be surprised to find out, that this stereotype of a homeless person doesn't even represent the majority of the population who is homeless.

There are more children in the United States that are homeless than any other single population. Thats right, over 50% of the homeless population is children. These children have no say in there situation and couldn't be farther from how society stereotypes homeless people. Just think about the word homeless. That alone puts individuals in a league separate from the rest of society and yet people through the word around without thought.

Up until yesterday, I too was surprised to learn this about children. I recently joined an organization called Horizons for the Homeless. This organization dedicates itself towards the children who are homeless. They are the only group in Massachussetts who is dedicated towards helping just children. Now lets think about that for a second, children are the largest homeless population and yet there is only one organization dedicated to meeting there social/ and emotional needs. My particular role is a PAL. I go in once a week for two hours and lead play activties for the kids. While this sounds like a little bit of time to one of us, this time means the world to them, because it is a few hours where everything is about them.

Next time your about to say something about the homeless population, think about just who your saying it too. Its not that 40 year old person living on the stree with a sign. More often your insulting someone who looks like and acts just like your 7 year old cousin, your 2 year old neice, or your 15 year old brother. Homelessness isn't what we all like to cover it up as.

The New Black Barbie

I was recently reading an article online about the new black Barbie. The new Barbie, has a slight twist on previous ones. This Barbie is part of a line called "So in Style". The line features Barbie wearing alot of bling, fancy sneakers, and common urban wear. While mtel (the company that creates Barbie) may have been trying to reach out to a new audience, girls are having mized feelings. In Manhattan this Barbie didn't become has popular as one may expect because the company made an assumption that girls from the city in this race are all into hip hop or the rap scene. Some critics of the Barbie are saying it is sort of racist. As for me im not too sure what I think about this Barbie, I just think that the company went with a stereotype and went with it without considering the reprocautions or the fuss it may have caused.