I had to be at work today at 4 a.m. Where I work isn't necessarily the best neighborhood. I have to go through NW 79th st right off 95 and go east towards the beach a.k.a. North Bay Village. There are always these bums that hang out at the light right off the exit and beg for money. Considering the time I was headed to work (3 a.m.) I made sure my doors were locked. I always try to avoid the bums that wait so patiently for a stopping car at the light. It just scares me to have someone (who looks like a crackhead) walk up to my car (Being I am the only person at the light) and beg. I usually take the red lights in bad neighborhoods because I don't feel safe stopped alone in the darkness. Anyways, today was different. I actually waited for the green light. The same bum who is always there was there. He looked over at me ( I could see him through the corner of my eye) and when he saw I made no eye contact, he turned around and continued his business. (looked like he was eating something.) I usually avoid making eye contact with bums to avoid them approaching me. So when I saw he turned around, I stared at him. I was thinking about random things that related to him (why he's there, how much it sucks..etc). I had questions that I have always wanted to ask a bum. He noticed me looking at him and seemed kind of hesitant to wheel his way over to me. We exchanged stares. I couldn't help but feel bad for the guy when I saw the he was actually eating something and perhaps just this one time this bum was really hungry and wanted money for food. (which made me feel really guilty about throwing away a publix sub prior to leaving my house this morning.)
So I started scrambling through my purse and he must've have seen what my intentions were because he came over to me. I pulled my window ALL the way down, smiled and gave him what ever change I had in my wallet. All of it. He smiled and said "Oh ma'm thank you so much. God bless you. Thank you for taking the time to help me. Thank you. I have aids and I'm dieing. Thank you for helping me. God is watching you and has seen the good you've done today." I replied with a smile "no problem, thank you." Then we sat there in awkward silence for about 12 seconds, then he said, "My name is Michael. What's yours?" and I replied with "Jackie. Nice to meet you Michael. My brother's name is Michael." The light then turned green and he saluted me and said thank you for the last time.
I have to admit. It felt really nice. That was the first time I had ever given him money. It wasn't as scary as I thought it would be. I wish I could have chatted with him longer but I had to work. Besides that, like I said, the area isn't a good neighborhood. I was happy to have helped him and somewhat confront my fear. Now I don't have to take the red lights anymore..
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
An Experiment I did..
I was in Orlando over the weekend and I was wearing a shaw (looks like a hijab) and I decided I would place it over my head to cover my hair the way muslims do. I wanted to see how people would look at me. To see if they would treat me any different. I went to cracker barrel with a group of 10 friends wearing my shaw. They sat me and my group in different tables. I could feel everyones eyes on me. A few people pointed. Usually when you sit at a restaurant you get bread and drinks first. They didn't bring it till 20 mins later. When they brought bread, they didn't bring us plates. When we asked for it the waitress shrugged her shoulders and said "oh i'm sorry. i don't know what to tell ya" and walked away. The party that came with us who sat in another table ate and got there check before we even got our food. Considering both tables set our orders at the same time. We got our food an hour and a half later. WE ended up complaining to the manager and got our food on the house. The place didn't seem busy so I don't believe it was because of that. I don't even know if it was because of what I was wearing. Point is, I felt uncomfortable and unwanted.
I did this as an experiment just to see how others around me would react and treat me.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
An episode full of stereotypes
ok, so this is a show on HBO that I watch.. I find it to be a funny show.. I never realized how much stereotypes there are on shows today..
http://www.hbo.com/eastbound-and-down?cmpid=ABC294#/eastbound-and-down/episodes/2/10-chapter-10/video/recap-10.html/eNrjcmbOYM5nLtQsy0xJzXfMS8ypLMlMds7PK0mtKFHPz0mBCQUkpqf6JeamcjIyskknlpbkF+QkVtqWFJWmsjGyMQIAWCcXOA==
http://www.hbo.com/eastbound-and-down?cmpid=ABC294#/eastbound-and-down/episodes/2/10-chapter-10/video/recap-10.html/eNrjcmbOYM5nLtQsy0xJzXfMS8ypLMlMds7PK0mtKFHPz0mBCQUkpqf6JeamcjIyskknlpbkF+QkVtqWFJWmsjGyMQIAWCcXOA==
SCRIPPS DAY
I walked out of class today thinking "Wow Reisner really nailed Steve with that Orthodox Jew question" I felt self satisfaction because it was a question that I had never really thought about before and had Mr. Wasserman saying "uhhh, well" a lot. When thinking about diversity and the workforce, I forgot that religion is also diverse( as if it weren't obvious). I never thought about religion as being a factor in a work environment. Steve kept mentioning how the news rooms have to be diversified. When he was saying that I wasn't thinking about religion being one of the factors UNTIL Reisner raised the question. How do work places work around religion? I really wanted to know the answer to Mr. Reisners question. IF both candidates are equally qualified for the position and the only difference between the two candidates is personal beliefs then how does he choose which candidate he will pick and why? Can there be diverse religion in the field of journalism? What I mean is, If Christmas is recognized by all as a holiday and most places close on these days, does the same apply to an Orthodox Jew who celebrates hanukkah? Would your employer recognize that as a Holiday and give you the day off? I'm intrigued to ask a Human Resource hiring manager. It just really makes you think of how christian religion dominates.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Don't Judge who?
I can't help but wonder if every single person in class actually believes and acts how they say is politically correct. A few people mentioned (throughout classes) how we shouldn't judge people based on first impression. How we should always take into consideration the possibilities of why people look or act a certain manner based on their own individual situations.
I judge people all the time and I don't see anything wrong with it. I behave and act a certain way in public. Obviously around friends and family I am my most comfortable. But when I walk out the door of my house, the way I dress, the way I talk to people, my demeanor, all of this is a fraction of who I am. If someone is covered in tattoos and they happen to get pulled over more than usual it's for a reason.
Unfortunately most of stereotypes are true. A slut looks and acts like a slut. They're easy to find, especially here in Miami. If you like to wear your art then there's a price you will pay unfortunately. Blame it on all the other assholes who "look like you" for messing it up. The point is, I wouldn't want to put an image of myself out for the world to see that isn't me. I wouldn't want them to think I'm a thug, or in a gang, If I am not. And If I choose to be a thug then I need to expect all these negative connotations. It comes with the territory.
My brother, who is no where near a thug, has his whole left arm tatted, has an eyebrow piercing and dresses a little baggy. If I could count the times this kid gets pulled over, I'd be a thousandaire. Cops mess with him all the time. He's currently looking for a job and having a hard time finding one. Again, I can't help but say that you get what you deserve. People need to take a little more time to think about the future; financially that is. What do you want to be doing 10, 15 years from now. hopefully not working at a subway or as a receptionist somewhere. Not that there's anything wrong with these jobs because there isn't. I only say it because sub makers don't make 65,000 a year and probably can't afford to own a house, car, dog, health insurance, and at this rate toothpaste! I wish they could but the figures don't lie.
It's a low income paying job, not something I can deal with for the rest of my life.
When I meet someone I apply the scientific method. I always wonder the kind of person they are. Based on my conversation (if I have any with them at all ) or by observing their body language I develop my hypothesis. I carefully observe my object for as long as it takes to find my conclusion.
Have you ever met someone you just don't like? Something in their aura, the energy they gave off? I come across people I just don't care to know. Something about them doesn't fall into my "accept" radar.
Back to my opening topic. I don't always act on my thoughts. Sometimes I forget to put aside my little voice that tells me not to be judgemental. And then I am. I develop all these thoughts in my head based on what I know. I feel that to some degree people subconsciously do it despite how we may 'feel' about it.
Bazingah!
I judge people all the time and I don't see anything wrong with it. I behave and act a certain way in public. Obviously around friends and family I am my most comfortable. But when I walk out the door of my house, the way I dress, the way I talk to people, my demeanor, all of this is a fraction of who I am. If someone is covered in tattoos and they happen to get pulled over more than usual it's for a reason.
Unfortunately most of stereotypes are true. A slut looks and acts like a slut. They're easy to find, especially here in Miami. If you like to wear your art then there's a price you will pay unfortunately. Blame it on all the other assholes who "look like you" for messing it up. The point is, I wouldn't want to put an image of myself out for the world to see that isn't me. I wouldn't want them to think I'm a thug, or in a gang, If I am not. And If I choose to be a thug then I need to expect all these negative connotations. It comes with the territory.
My brother, who is no where near a thug, has his whole left arm tatted, has an eyebrow piercing and dresses a little baggy. If I could count the times this kid gets pulled over, I'd be a thousandaire. Cops mess with him all the time. He's currently looking for a job and having a hard time finding one. Again, I can't help but say that you get what you deserve. People need to take a little more time to think about the future; financially that is. What do you want to be doing 10, 15 years from now. hopefully not working at a subway or as a receptionist somewhere. Not that there's anything wrong with these jobs because there isn't. I only say it because sub makers don't make 65,000 a year and probably can't afford to own a house, car, dog, health insurance, and at this rate toothpaste! I wish they could but the figures don't lie.
It's a low income paying job, not something I can deal with for the rest of my life.
When I meet someone I apply the scientific method. I always wonder the kind of person they are. Based on my conversation (if I have any with them at all ) or by observing their body language I develop my hypothesis. I carefully observe my object for as long as it takes to find my conclusion.
Have you ever met someone you just don't like? Something in their aura, the energy they gave off? I come across people I just don't care to know. Something about them doesn't fall into my "accept" radar.
Back to my opening topic. I don't always act on my thoughts. Sometimes I forget to put aside my little voice that tells me not to be judgemental. And then I am. I develop all these thoughts in my head based on what I know. I feel that to some degree people subconsciously do it despite how we may 'feel' about it.
Bazingah!
When does this start?
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wirestory?id=11845131&page=1
I came across an article that made me upset and wonder when does behavior like this even start.
I started thinking about my own experience growing up. I remember all of my ex-boyfriend's fathers were all male chauvinists. Men grow up with a different mentality than women. Women are taught to be loving and caring embracing all the wonderful features that are naturally within women. Men on the other hand are taught to not be afraid. To embrace their 'cavemen' animal like behavior. (Even there I am stereotyping). Men must not cry or show weakness. This is the mentality most men I have known are raised with. Being that most of my Ex's fathers were Hispanic has made me believe that most men are brought up like this. In Miami there are so many gay bars and people or groups who openly embrace their sexualities. It's normal for me to walk down the street and see a gay couple or lesbian couple. In most states across the nation this 'freedom of expression' to which we are all entitled to isn't so free. This kind of behavior starts at home, primarily with the father. Men need to understand it's okay to be sensitive. It's okay to show feelings. Men are naturally strong. Just because you're gay doesn't make you any weaker than the man next to you. Don't judge him because of his sexuality.
I came across an article that made me upset and wonder when does behavior like this even start.
I started thinking about my own experience growing up. I remember all of my ex-boyfriend's fathers were all male chauvinists. Men grow up with a different mentality than women. Women are taught to be loving and caring embracing all the wonderful features that are naturally within women. Men on the other hand are taught to not be afraid. To embrace their 'cavemen' animal like behavior. (Even there I am stereotyping). Men must not cry or show weakness. This is the mentality most men I have known are raised with. Being that most of my Ex's fathers were Hispanic has made me believe that most men are brought up like this. In Miami there are so many gay bars and people or groups who openly embrace their sexualities. It's normal for me to walk down the street and see a gay couple or lesbian couple. In most states across the nation this 'freedom of expression' to which we are all entitled to isn't so free. This kind of behavior starts at home, primarily with the father. Men need to understand it's okay to be sensitive. It's okay to show feelings. Men are naturally strong. Just because you're gay doesn't make you any weaker than the man next to you. Don't judge him because of his sexuality.
Monday, October 4, 2010
I did an experiment..
I was in Orlando over the weekend and I was wearing a shaw (looks like a hijab) and I decided I would place it over my head to cover my hair the way muslims do. I wanted to see how people would look at me. To see if they would treat me any different. I went to cracker barrel with a group of 10 friends wearing my shaw. They sat me and my group in different tables. I could feel everyones eyes on me. A few people pointed. Usually when you sit at a restaurant you get bread and drinks first. They didn't bring it till 20 mins later. When they brought bread, they didn't bring us plates. When we asked for it the waitress shrugged her shoulders and said "oh i'm sorry. i don't know what to tell ya" and walked away. The party that came with us who sat in another table ate and got there check before we even got our food. Considering both tables set our orders at the same time. We got our food an hour and a half later. WE ended up complaining to the manager and got our food on the house. The place didn't seem busy so I don't believe it was because of that. I don't even know if it was because of what I was wearing. Point is, I felt uncomfortable and unwanted.
I did this as an experiment just to see how others around me would react and treat me.
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