Policing in the Justice System

The topic I chose for this paper was the Justice system and particularly the Justice system. As many of us know, there has been a lot of corruption associated with the policing system of the United States. In my Black Social Movements, we have learned a lot about how the police have beaten up, drug trafficked, and planted crimes on innocent people. This has caused a lot of people to speak out against the corruption and it has given the police a bad name. However, others have felt that the police have done a great job in the communities around the country. I guess it just depends on your perspective....

Detroits Urban Blight

One of America's cities that has been hit the hardest by Urban Blight is the city of Detroit. I would label this city as having a high level of Urban Blight due to its extremely high crime and unemployment rates. Detroit was once a city that boomed with economic activity and now it is one of the hardest places to find jobs and sustain a comfortable life. An excerpt from my upcoming Assignment 4 essay talks about the city more in depth, ".  A great example is what happened to Detroit, a city that currently is at a 44.8 percent unemployment rate (The Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2009). During the early 20^th century, Henry Ford’s creation of the automobile in Detroit made it a city that had some of the highest paying jobs in the world. Soon after, racial tensions as a result of the Great Migration caused a lot of the businesses to move to the outskirts of town where most people couldn’t afford to commute to. Also, the expansion of Detroit’s businesses out of the country caused a decrease in jobs in the city. With declining economic activity and moving of the rich into the suburbs, the inner areas were abandoned and a dense population of impoverished people settled there. This is where the city of Detroit is currently at now." Detroit and many other cities in the world have been devastated by Urban Blight and something must be done to counter it. 

 

USC's Master Plan

The University of Southern California's Master Plan is broken into three sections:
Section 1:

"We will conduct a range of research and scholarship that advances knowledge and at the same time addresses issues critical to our community, the nation, and the world."

This part seems like apart of USC's plan is to devote money towards education that adresses issues in the community. I think this is a smart move because the way that alot of people normally go about helping poor neighborhoods is they try to figure out what they think is best for the community without even figuring out what the community wants. If research means developing a better understanding about the community and the people in it by asking questions and truthfully trying to seek the needs of the people then I am all for that plan. 

Section 2:

"We will create a significant global presence that will increase international visibility, reach, and impact of our research, scholarship, art, education, and service."

This part seems like they want to do some community service outside of the immediate area. This is a very great idea but I am a firm believer in helping the immediate community before you help another community. That has been one of the most significant problems that America has been doing in this past century. For example, when Hurricane Katrina devastated the areas around Gulf Coast, it took aid and relief almost a week to get there. When the Tsunami hit the islands and areas around the Indian Ocean, it took America only 3 days. This is evident of Americas overlooking of its own problems. USC doesn't want to make the same mistakes so I think they should first improve this neighborhood before they go to others.

Section 3:

"We will focus our educational programs on meeting the needs of qualified students worldwide, from undergraduates through continuing professional development. This commitment will guide our choices regarding pedagogy, instructional technology, curriculum, admissions, and support services."

I think this is very great idea on USC's part. Our University has one of the most richest financial aid banks in America, so they can afford to pay for any student to go here if they could. So why not they try to recruit students from different backgrounds so that at our University can be the most well rounded and diverse University on this planet.

Here is a picture of what a part of USC looked like before it underwent USC President Norman Toppings Master Plan in the 1960's. Can President Nikias follow through with his plan?

 
 

Obama at USC

Obama's visit to USC was definitely an experience that I will never forget. He is one of the most popular men in the world and his name will be acknowledged in our history textbooks forever because he is the first person of a non-white ethnicity to get into office. Witnessing the billions of police and FBI cars, the mile long lines, and excitement in peoples faces further allowed me to understand how important of a man he actually is. In Obama's speech he spoke about the current crisis that America is in today. Even though America's economy has made some progress, it is recovering from one of its most dramatic declines and all the scrutiny is weighing on Obama. In the beginning of his speech, Obama stressed that the Bush Administration and others involved dug a huge hole for America and left him to clean up the mess. Even though Obama isn't perfect and he hasnt made the best decisions, he was left with a huge mess to clean up and people can expect him to make it disappear in a short amount of time. Progression takes time and we all must work together to make a difference and not leave all of the pressure on him. This is why it is very important for people to vote because one vote can be the decision between somebody who you don't want and office and somebody you do.

Sonia Nazario: "Enriques Journey" Visions and Voices Presentation

Sonia Nazario came this past week to speak about her book Enrique's Journey. The book is based on the true story of boy from Honduras who lived with his mother until he was about 6 years old. Him and his mother lived in poverty and they often struggled to find food sometimes. Enrique's mother did not want to raise her child under the poor conditions anymore and she wanted a better life for both of them. To try and make life better for them, Enrique's mother sent Enrique to live with his grandparents and she went off to America for opportunity so that she could one day come back and have enough money to provide for child like she wanted to. It was hard for Enrique living with his grandparents because although they took care of him, he still missed his mother very much and wanted to be with her. His mother would call him frequently and always end her conversations with him in "I love you" or "I miss you" and those words coming from her meant so much to him. Ultimately, Enrique was not happy with his life so he set out on a journey to reunite himself with his mother in America, but he would have to go through a perilous route to get there. The journey to America from Honduras was unlike any journey in the world, especially for children. There had been already been this extensive route to America that had been attempted by many kids to find their mothers and this route was known by many people who lived along the route. The popularity of this route caused many bandits to steal and kill from these poor children who were on their search to find their mothers. One of the main ways for transportation to America from Honduras was on the train. Since these children, including Enrique, were too poor and young to afford a ticket, they would catch the train when it made turns (a train is at its slowest when it makes its turns) and attempt to climb to the top and ride them all the way to America. The tops of the trains would be burning hot as it went through the Southern parts of Mexico and freezing cold through parts of Northern Mexico. Many kids did not make it because they would fall off the train, crush their legs trying to jump on the train, or get beaten by bandits off the train. In the end, after many attempts (because he had been deported many times) Enrique had finally made it to America to find his mother.

The Switch to Benjamin Oliver Davis

I have decided to switch to an all black segregated unit similar to the Buffalo Soldiers.This unit went by the name of the Tuskegee Airmen and they were an all black air force unit who fought in World War 2. The Commander of this unit and the person who was a major inspiration behind the unit was General Benjamin Oliver Davis who was also a pilot in the unit too. Benjamin Oliver Davis is a pioneer, a person who overcame tremendous adversity, and his character on and off the battlefield influenced America to integrate African Americans into the United States. This is very significant to American history because eh paved the way for nearly every non-white soldier in the army today. His legacy continues today and he is great positive example not only for African Americans, but all Americans.

The 92nd Infantry "Buffalo Soldiers"

The topic I am choosing to write about will be on the 92nd Infantry Division "Buffalo Soldiers". They were an all African American unit in the United States Army that fought in World War 1 and 2. Their division was created in 1917 in Kansas and included African American soldiers from all states. The "Buffalo Soldier" moniker was coined by Great Plain Native Americans in the 19th century. The Native Americans believed their skin color and relentless, unyielding attitudes in fighting resembled the very Buffaloes that roamed the plains during that time. The name was popularized throughout the century and was inherited by the division.
The Buffalo soldiers are important in United States history because they fought in wars that are very significant to our country and our world. World War 1 was a war that involved many of the worlds countries; if the United States had not won that war then our society would be very different today. The second war was World War 2 which involved Hitler and his attempt to eliminate every non-Aryan through world domination. If Hitler had been successful in his attempt, a lot of diversity among people today would not even exist.
The 92nd Infantry Division fighting in these important wars displayed their dedication and courage to America and with all of the holidays and recognitions we give soldiers, it would only be right that the Buffalo Soldiers be put in history books too because they made the same sacrifices as every other soldier in America did.

Social Network Activism and the internet

Movements could make better use of social activism by broadcasting strikes and marches on their page so people can see the efforts they are making in their movement. Also, making a website about the movement would be helpful too, for example social activism could devote a part of the website to provide background information on the movement. Background information would include answers to questions like how did the movement form when did it start and why is it necessary to have the movement. They can also use the internet to create flash mobs and post notifications for meetings so everybody will show up and you can post updated information about the movement too. These uses of the website could get larger groups of people more acquainted with the activism that is occurring and it can allow people who have interest in the movement to get involved and help it. Also it can organize meetings and emergency situations faster.

 Many Television shows and internet websites were very influential in helping Haiti and helped allow quicker reaction to the earthquake

Forms of social network activism

I have not participated in any social movement before but I do feel that there have been many movements before my time that I would have participated in. For example, i would have been an avid participant in the civil rights movement if I were alive during that time because I believe in the equality for all in a society and all that it does for people. I would also be involved in Mahatma Ghandi's peace movement if I were alive during that time because I believe that violence isn't always the best way to handle a situation. It is movements like these that I would participate in because they have true meanings attached to them and they are movements that I can relate to personally.

 Martin Luther King's influential speeches and marches combined with the cause that these people were fighting for would have inspired me to get involved if I lived during their time.

Mahatma Ghandi's self control and intellect in his speeches and writings would also have drawn me to his movement if lived during his time

Effectiveness of Tiger Woods advertisment for Gillette

Tiger Woods is one of the best spokespeople that Gillette could find for their advertisement. He is successful, very wealthy, and has made various business deals with different companies. Gillette is a company that sells shaving and hair care products. A clean shaven man is representative of a man who is ambitious, self authoritative, and serious about their success because believe it or not, appearance is an important part of your success in the business world.

Tiger Woods and Gillette

Out of the infinite amount of advertisements that are displayed on television, and the diverse number of demographic groups that they appeal to, I chose to speak about Tiger Woods and his endorsement with the company Gillette, a company that advertises safety razors. The controversy surrounding Tiger Woods and him losing his contract with Gillette allowed me to further analyze and understand what demographic Gillette is appealing to and the type of person they want representing their product. From observing Gillete’s commercials and the people they choose to display in them, I assume their impression of a clean shaven man is representative of a man who is successful, loyal, and hardworking. This is why when issues about Tiger’s infidelity arose, Gillette chose to end his contract with him because he was no longer living up to the image that Gillette wanted its models to portray.