Theories on Education; "I Don't Know How To Put It Into Words"

Why? Why is it that you don't know how to articulate yourself. Is your vocabulary limited? Is your range of thinking limited? Do you have emotional issues and don't know how to properly express yourself?

Twice today, I heard this same exact phrase. In a college classroom that's highly unacceptable. I heard it a lot in high school too, even by some people close to me whom I thought were on a different level intellectually.

What is it about society (because its definately a product of society) that makes it hard for people to articulate? Is it the hours spent in silence on the computer, or the music that expresses our feelings for us so we don't have to? Are we just not trying? Unmotivated to express because we think no one is listening?

From an educator's point of view it has to be a struggle getting kids to cooperate when they can just use this outlet "I don't know how to describe it", or "I know it I just can't put it into words". See to a kid that's just enough to reassure the teacher that they may have read or done the assignment, but not enough that they have to bear their soul or actually speak up in class. Do they see that as a problem? That kids are stifling behind masks of understanding and words they don't know how to expell are choking the life out of them.

Oh but we as students can express everything but whats needed in class. We can talk about how much we hate this or love that artist. We can argue fluently about basketball teams, or pop stars but when it come to academic expression we're mute. Where is the gap? What is getting in the way of true educational freedom and expression?

Theories on Education; A Look at Greg Mortenson and Girls Education

I recently went to a presentation by a man by the name of Greg Mortenson. This American humanitarian went to Afghanistan, Iraq, and Pakistan and is fighting illiteracy with ferocious vigor by building schools in the rural areas. A majority of his schools are built for girls which is a really difficult undertaking because of radical Islamic tradition that women don't go to school.

One of the things that stuck out the most to me was this theory:

"If you teach a boy you educate an individual, but if you teach a girl you educate a community"

He pointed out that when girls go to school they bring the education back to their parents and especially their children. Mortenson said that when girls were educated the population of some places leveled off because they were less likely to get married/ reproduce early. This kind of thing is especially relevant in places like Africa and Afghanistan where girls are married off by the age of 12 to start a family.

In the middle east where Mortenson's work is centered the Taliban sponsor many schools that center their education in hatred of the Western world and strict religious adherence. These schools do little to educate students about other worldly matters or even basic fundamentals (in Mortenson's book, many of the teachers in these schools didn't even know how to read or write).

A little known fact is that in order to join the Taliban (the terror group organized by radical Muslims responsible for 9/11) a young man must have his mother's permission. When I first heard that I had to ask myself what kind of mother would let her child join that kind of organization. Well the answer is an uneducated one. The more education a woman has the more she will know about what's going on around her. Therefore she wouldn't allow it.

This was really his whole point; that through education we could curb the Taliban and other radical groups from the ground up.

Then I began to realize that we in America (especially in urban areas) have a similar issue (on the topic of population control). Our rate of teenage pregnancy could be directly linked to lack of education. I don't mean fundamental education because we have that, by the time these girls get pregnant they at least know how to read and write, but they have serious deficiencies in knowledge of the world around them and their own emotional workings (as our societies get more complex our education will have to get complex too, simple english, math, science, history won't be enough).

So one way to fight this battle is, starting from a young age, focusing a lot more on self reflection and knowledge, along with worldly knowledge. Especially a practical knowlege such as that learned in a Family and Consumer Sciences class. Classes that teach how to file taxes, getting jobs, taking care of children and managing a household. This kind of education in combination with focus on the internal being could help reduce teenage pregnancy.

College Thoughts: Part II

So its been a full semester at college and its only right that I write about everything I've learned, how I've grown and what I expect to learn next semester.

First I learned that living with people is tough, and people are shady. Well I already knew all that but theres a difference between knowing and experiencing. It was hard living with 7 other girls. Thats an experience I will never forget. We clashed about dishes, late night guests, illegalities, and overall cleaning habits. Since we all share space we had to come to agreements about cleaning and some parties broke the agreements. As of now nothing has been done about it but we'll see what happens next semester.

I learned that when it comes to school you have to make sacrifices to get the grade. I sacrificed sleep, parties, fun, and relationships but it had to be done. I woke up at ungodly hours and went to class. Sometimes I took losses, but in the end I won the war.

I think one of the best things I learned was that some friends are priceless. And you really may have to open yourself up to it in order to experience them. I did that and so far its great. I made some really great friends [also my roommates] and I feel like I can really relate to them. We sat in the cafeteria and talked for hours about everything going on around us and I honestly felt like they got me. So I'm really looking forward to progressing in that department because I already love these girls.

I think one of my more important lessons is that a long distance relationship is possible. I would say I got lucky but it really wasn't easy. There were times when all I wanted to do was be back home holding my gf. There were times when she needed me and I couldn't be there. I missed her a lot, she missed me a lot but we got through it, we had to skype and text constantly but it worked. Finally getting to see her this break was long-coming and much needed. It just goes to show that if you really want the relationship to work out it will. Plus three of my other roommates were in long-distance relationships so that gave me a lot of courage.

As for what I'm looking forward to; well everything. I've got a great new camera, renewed energy and I'm going into the 6month mark with an amazing girl. I'm looking forward to all to come, new adventures with my roommates and new levels with my gf. Bring on the next semester.

Avatar in Relation to Richard Wright 'Native Son'

I recently read this article about how the new movie Avatar and other movies from Hollywood show racist themes. The main theme being a white hero saving a non-white race.In Avatar the white main character saved the Na'vi people, [Na'vi being a wayyy too close a resemblance to Native American for me, but I digress] and basically became the hero. Seeing as it was created by white people, people are saying the movie plays out the age-old assumption that white people are the messiah's to non-white civilizations [whites thought they were 'saving' Africans from savagery, European crusaders thought they were 'saving' other non-Catholic civilizations]. This is an assumption made by white people about white people. Basically from a white person's point of view they are doing a good thing, but in all other non-white people's eyes its not as good.


Ahh the link.

While reading 'Native Son' by Richard Wright, there was a similar link in how white people perceive themselves. The main white characters tried befriending a young black boy [the main black character] in Chicago during segregation. They thought they were being so noble and inviting but what they were really doing was scaring the boy, and driving him crazy wondering at their intentions [so crazy in fact that he killed the main white girl].

See the connection yet?

Its not necessarily racism, just white people misunderstanding their role in they eyes of non-white people. Its really a conceited way that these whites think of themselves and its portrayed in the movies Hollywood. Whites doing such seemingly great things for people who either don't want it [Indians, Africans, non-Catholics] or are portrayed as being not able to do for themselves.

The Problem of Feel-Good TV Shows

I like shows like Extreme Home Makeover where they help people who are struggling or making a difference in other people's lives. I think its really heartwarming and generous and the families always deserve it ya know. Anyway today I realized that no matter how much good those shows do, and how many families they help it still doesn't mask the fact that there are companies making money off of it. I mean honestly the whole thing is one big commercial. And yeah they're doing good, but it kinda makes it less pure if its for money. The whole reason I even started thinking about it was my dad...

We're watching the show and my dad is just being sooooo negative. He was all 'oh they get a house but can't pay the mortgage', and 'they got a free ford and then there's a ford commercial. what a coincidence', 'all she does is run a daycare? they can find better than that. she didn't earn it'. And it just pissed me off. Like why be so negative? Like was he jealous? Did he just really feel the need to burst our feel good bubble? Or was he just right? Well I really got upset and told him off, basically to the tune of 'if you're not gonna relax and watch the show leave'.

 But honestly, he's kind of right. No matter how much good these shows do, they're still making money from publicity. And yes that's selfish. But you shouldn't let that overshadow the good that the show does. I mean, a lot of things in life are about intentions. People have good or bad intentions and no one but the person and whatever higher power THEY answer to know what those intentions are. So if someone is doing something because they know they'll get air time, or publicity, or money their judgement will come.Its not up to us to judge their intentions. We can enjoy the good they bring all we want. So dad was right and I was right.

I was righter though =]

A Quick Note to Readers

Got a new camera for Christmas sooo I'll try to use my own photography a lot more.

My favorites I'll keep updated somewhere on the page for your enjoyment but I'd rather keep my personal enlightenment separate from the photography hobby so photo posts will be on my tumblr.

So if you wanna see more check there.