First Few Days in Ghana

Wow! I can't believe I'm finally here. After months of preparation and a long, strenuous flight I made it to Ghana. As we walked of the plane, we were greeted by the moist Ghanian air. As a group of multi-ethnic American exchange students, we were bombarded by porters and airport personnel eager to get tips from us. After locating missing luggage and clearing customs, our program coordinator recieved us and took us to the Miklin Hotel. I learned a lot about Accra through our ride back. The streets were filled with the hustle and bustle of any metropolitan area. Taxis, cars, buses, motorcyles and tro-tros whizzed past. As far as its structure is concerned, Accra reminds me a lot of Mumbai, India. While both cities are modern in their posh malls, restaurants, and homes, abject poverty and inequality persist. It blew my mind to see poor children in tattered clothes playing outside fancy mansions. When we reached the hotel, we checked into our rooms, freshened up and ate at the hotel's restaurant. Never in my life did I think I would be eating so much Chinese food in Ghana! Since there aren't many vegetarian options here, I find myself eating lots of fried rice and sauteed vegetables. Later on in the evening, a seamstress measured us for dresses. She will sew us dresses made from traditional fabric for a cultural dance on Tuesday. I'm so excited for my dress, which will be a short, one-shoulder dress made from orange block print Kente fabric.

 We went to a nice supermarket today, located at the Accra mall, where I managed to find some pita bread and hummus to satisfy my protein intake. For the most part, people here are so nice and helpful. Everyone from the hotel staff to our Ghanian peers at the University of Ghana-East Legon seem genuinely interested in our well being. After touring the university campus (which was beautiful!), we toured the city in our tour bus. Everything from the parliament buildings and the gardens to the homes by the coast provides Accra with so much character. We exchanged money at a local bank where we met Ghanian neighborhood children as we waited outside. They pointed at our group, smiled at us, and called us obrunis (foreigners).  I got the most adorable picture of two young children carrying water buckets on their heads! I'm looking forward to visiting the beach on Saturday and buying souveniers from the street vendors and Culture Centre there. In addition to the experience of being in Accra, my group members are great. It is a great bonding experience for all of us as we explore Ghanian culture together. It has only been two days and I feel like I know everyone much better. Overall, my experience has been great. I can't wait for all the exciting adventures that await me throughout the next month!

Bon Voyage!

So the time has finally come for me to go to Ghana! It still hasn't hit me yet that in less than 48 hours I will be in the capital city of Accra. The program I'm participating in is a Community and Social Development Maymester, which will start on May 22 and end on June 19. Our group of 20 students will participate in various sevice learning projects. My service learning group will work with women residing in the Agoblushie slum. We have raised nearly $1000 in microloans which we will distribute to these women. We will assist them in starting their own businesses. We have organized workshops for them pertaining to team building, professional networking, reproductive health, sustainability, and financial literacy. We will also embark on educational field trips throughout Accra, Elimina, and a couple of villages. The Kwame Nkrumah National Museum, the Aburi Botanical Gardens, the Patriensa Village, and the Elimina Slave Castles are just a few of the historical and cultural sites we will visit. This is my first time going to Africa so I'm beyond thrilled. Please follow my blog as I write about my experiences in Ghana!

Social Justice Blog: On A Closing Note

I never thought a class would impact me as much as Foundations for Social Justice did. From studying every subject from racism and sexism to homophobia and ageism, the wide array of topics we have covered this semester is quite incredible. I've never been in a class like this, where we discuss real issues and their pertinence to our own lives. From watching documentaries relating to classism and writing op-ed articles about hot button social issues, this class has helped me channel my passion and energy to create change. The social justic action projects we took on were indisputably life-altering learning experiences. More than anything else, I really appreciate the action aspect of this class. Part of the journey involves studying the issue but the other part involves taking steps to fuel change.

In retrospect, it often seems like there is no way that we can tackle all the problems in the world. Whether it is battered women, economically disadvantaged youth, ostracized transsexuals, or the neglected elderly, it seems like there are so many populations to serve and not enough resources. Many of the social inequalities that exist in America and the world as a whole are the result of deep-rooted, historical injustices. However, the important thing to keep in mind is that we can't lose hope. Yes, it may often feel like there isn't enough social capital to make a notable dent. However, if we start small and build up support systems over time, it's quite remarkable what we can do. A recent experience I had really got me thinking about what I can do to make a difference.

Soon after I presented my project regarding educational disparities in low-income neighborhoods, a friend invited me to participate in a career event she organized at Pearce Middle School. She needed guest speakers to discuss their college experiences and I was happy to assist her. I showed up at Pearce and proceeded to the cafeteria where I would meet with the students. As someone who has volunteered and mentored extensively at Reagan High School, the high school Pearce feeds into, I had a thorough understanding of the struggles facing students at Pearce. Known for its location in a crime-ridden neighborhood and disciplinary problems, Pearce is undoubtedly a rough school. When I walked into the school, I saw a multitude of police officers, students wearing assigned colors, and both genders situated on opposite sides of the cafeteria. I began speaking to different students at each table.

I tried to develop a rapport with each group of students in the short amount of time I had. I asked them about themselves and what questions they had about college. Some students were extremely engaged while others were more interested in discussing tangential topics. I did my best to encourage all students to pursue college and apply to UT. While it was difficult for me to accept that not all the students would take my advice to heart, I was comforted by the students that asked me about college life, my major, and their own career goals. I decided that even if I could reach out to maybe 20 out of the 100 students I interacted with, that would be a success in itself. Pearce, like many other economically disadvantaged schools in Austin, is plagued by poverty, crime, lack of family involvement, and the historical impacts of racism. Closing the achievement gap between low-income, often minority, students and upper-middle class, often White, students requires a long journey. However, I believe that it is doable. If we are able to mobilize enough people in the community, we can create gradual change.

I realize that I, alone, will not be able to tackle world hunger, racism, economic disparities, human trafficking, child abuse, domestic violence, etc on my own. If there is one thing I've learned in this class, strength is in numbers. In addition to pursuing a career in social work, I vow to do my part to organize people. Whether it is registering people to vote, encouraging others to write to legislators, or organizing protests, every person counts. Although racism is still alive and well, it is admirable the amount of awareness we have raised as a result of the activism elicited by the Trayvon Martin incident. While we still have a ways to go in terms of reproductive rights, the impact we have made as a result of recent nationwide protests and rallies is significant. The utilization of social media to expose dictator Joseph Kony is another example of strength in numbers. As empowered citizens of the world, we can collectively alleviate social inequalities. There's no doubt that what starts here, changes the world.

Social Justice Blog: A Life Changing Experience

Hands down, this social justice project has been one of the most interesting of projects that I've done in my life. It shed light on an issue that affects the livelihoods of people across the world: educational disparities. From interviewing teachers at both Bowie and Reagan to chatting with students and listening to the grievances of community members, I plan to hold on to the valuable knowledge I gained throughout my lifetime. We read in news articles and textbooks about low college attendance rates among inner city students, lower academic achievement around minority students, and a huge resource gap among upper-middle class and low-income students. This project was an amazing experience because it put a face on these topics and gave me a tangible understanding of what I can do to make a difference.

Our project explored the differences between student life at two radically different high schools. The achievement gap, we learned, has multiple layers including cultural norms, ethnicity, socioeconomic gaps, and family status. My personal predicament is somewhat of an interesting one: while I am a minority student, I haven't experienced the educational disparities that many other youth of color have. This project really made me think about what I, as a person of color with access to educational resources, can do to encourage youth in underprivileged areas. I've always been a believer that it is my duty to pass on and share with others the God-given resources I have. Like I mentioned in my project presentation, the sad truth is that not everyone is blessed with well-to-do parents, fancy SAT tutors, and privileged schools. It's my duty as a human being to make sure that I help others gain access to these resources so they can reach their full potential.

As I brainstormed specific things I can do to bridge the gap, something that the Reagan health sciences teacher said specifically stuck out to me. Ms. Hardy mentioned that, in her opinion, the reason why the teenage pregnancy rate is so high at Reagan is because of the girls' low-self esteem. She stated that many of these girls come from unstable households where the parents are often preoccupied with putting food on the table. As a result, the girls often feel lonely due to a lack of a support system. Consequently, they engage in sexual activity with any boy or man(often older) that makes them feel loved. She expressed a need for empowerment classes for the girls which teach them to stand up for themselves, beginning freshman year.

I would definitely be interested in spearheading an empowerment class for girls at either Reagan or any low-income school in Austin. Next semester, I hope to continue my research on this topic through the Center for Social Work Research. I plan on focusing my research on the reasons for teenage pregnancy in low-income areas, it's impact on a student's academic success, and the actions that can be taken to prevent it. I'm hoping that I can establish an empowerment class alongside my research. I definitely realize that my efforts won't end teen pregnancy in the state of Texas, however, if even a few girls benefit from my workshop that would be an immense success.  We often read in news sources about facts and statistics related to pregnacy but we often don't hear about the behind-the-scenes factors that influence this trend. It's my goal to interview high school girls, pregnant and not pregnant, families, and community members without just being "the BSW research student." I will strive my best to become one with the community as I continue my research. The better job I do empathizing with these girls, the better an idea I will have about how I can help motivate them. Many of these girls can go on to do great things with their lives if they recieve the right guidance.

The bottom line is that we are all human beings. We all thrive off of love and appreciation and we all have the potential to contribute to the greater good of society. When it comes to education, every child across the world should be taught that his or her opinions and contributions are very valuable. Man or woman, white or black, gay or straight, rich or poor, no one should be made to feel like they don't matter. This lack of self-worth is the very essence of the achievement gap: it all comes down to the fact that students in underprivileged areas often don't see what they are worth. Poverty is a nasty cycle which creates a domino effect where the students become victims of injustice. When I tell people I'm double majoring in Social Work, they often respond saying, "Oh, it's so sweet that you want to help people." I usually respond saying, "Actually, my goal is to help people help themselves." I'm not sure where life will take me career wise, however, I will say that what ever I do I will implement sustainable initatives that empower people. Whether it is community organizing, leading empowerment workshops, or facilitating support groups, I want to do my part to help uplift others. My hope is that from there, they will continue on and pass on the skills they have learned to future generations.

Closing Quote: "If you give a man a fish you feed him for a day. If you teach a man to fish you feed him for a lifetime."

Social Justice Blog: Disabilites, Discrimination And The "R" Word

After reading Adams's chapters pertaining to disabilities and reflecting on experiences where I've come in contact with disabled people, I realized something. I thought a lot about Adams's question in Chapter 100, "Why is American society largely unaware of or indifferent to the plight of people with disabilites?" It hit me that I'm guilty of being largely unaware of the struggles of disabled individuals. While I did stand up for students during my school years who were made fun for being "slow" and I help people with difficulty walking cross the street, I feel that my knowledge and understanding of this subject is quite superficial. Nonetheless, this week's course readings brought to light many topics that I'm trying to educate myself more about.

There is no doubt that our society is ableist. This is reinforced by the misconception many Americans have that disability doesn't constitute a serious category of oppression. People fail to see the number of difficulties disabled individuals undergo, including rape, sexual abuse, domestic violence, and incest in homes, private locations, and public institutions. Chapter 100 couldn't be more accurate in its claim that society often overlooks the struggles of disabled people. The chapter discusses how students pour over the subject of race in their textbooks and read the work of multicultural writers in high school and college. While we acknowledge that racism exists in our society, we don't realize that we are ableist. Honestly, I felt guilty after thinking how true this statement is. I pride myself on being open-minded and informed about different types of people, however, I've never in my life read the work of disabled poets, deaf writers, or parapeligic artists. I really wish American schools would bring to our notice the significance of these people and their contributions to society.

It blows my mind that 72 percent of people with disabilities are unemployed and their income is half the national average. The poverty rate among working-age adults with disabilities is almost 3 times that of those without impairments. One-third of all disabled children live in poverty and 90 to 98 percent of discrimination cases brought under the Americans with Disabilities Act by people with disabilites have been lost in court (Adams, 482). Upon reading these statistics, I was dumbfounded. There's no doubt that we focus more on the struggles of certain minority groups than others. Although as a woman of color I've experienced discrimination, I realize I'm more than privileged since I'm not disabled. I don't experience the high degrees of ridicule, ostracism, scorn, and neglect that disabled individuals face on a day-to-day basis. From here on out, I will make a conscious effort to be more mindful of this population and its struggles.

An important step toward being more sensitive toward and understanding of the needs of disabled people is social awareness. Whether it's parents teaching their children to be more compassionate or companies empathizing more with their disabled employees, awareness is key in moving forward. A great example of this would be my mom's insistence that my brother and I refrain from using the word "retarded" from a young age. I remember when I was in elementary school, I heard other kids refer to each other as "retards" if someone did something they considered unintelligent. Upon hearing this word thrown around on a regular basis, I remember as a naive 10 year-old I once called my brother retarded during a fight. My mom immediately chastized me for this and explained the implications of this word. A couple of months later at a family reunion, I met an autistic second cousin of mine. I was able to put two and two together and I realized why it was wrong to throw around the word "retarded."

On Friday, May and I were interviewing people in Northeast Austin regarding economic disparities in relation to education. As we went from house to house, we came across an elderly man sitting on his front porch smoking a cigarette. He was very friendly and willing to talk when we asked him if we could interview him. He educated us about the difficulties in the neighborhoods off of St. Johns Avenue and Berkman Drive. As an elderly African-American man who had lived in this neighborhood his entire life, he offered a very interesting perspective. After speaking for a bit about the escalation in violent crimes, drugs, and gang-banging in the neighborhood, he talked about himself. I then asked him about his life now and what he does. He stated that he is retired, elderly, disabled, and "doesn't do anything anymore."

Although he said it with a laugh, this statement made me uneasy. No one should have to spend their days feeling unproductive and useless due to a disability. This man's story resonated with something I read in Chapter 100. Oftentimes, when there is a person of color who happens to be disabled, people often attribute that person's difficulties to his/her being a person of color. They rarely acknowledge disablity as a factor in influencing one's struggles. However, after reading this chapter it occurred to me that this man may in fact face a high level of discrimination and ostracism due to his status as a disabled individual in addition to being African-American. The bottom line is that disabilities shouldn't be overlooked and society should do a better job of being understanding of the needs of disabled people. Disability can be just as much of a struggle as racism, sexism, homophobia, etc and it is up to us that ALL members of subordinate groups in our society recieve support and are advocated for.

Social Justice Blog: The Transgender Population and Gender Identity

Identity. This word is the basis of our existence. Our identity defines everything from the most minute details of our lives to the more significant choices we make. More specifically, gender identity plays a crucial role in helping us determine who we are. Our identification of ourselves as male, female, transgender, transsexual, undecided, etc provides us with a sense of belonging. A sense of belonging is located in the middle of Maslow's hierarchy of needs. It is human nature to desire acceptance and a sense of community, and the sad reality is that transgender and transsexual individuals often lack this. In a society where identifying as one's original sex and as either male or female is championed, those who don't fit these norms are more likely to experience oppression, subjugation, and a lack of belonging.

It has never made sense to me why someone should be treated differently based on their gender identity. I've always felt that this topic is a very personal one where society has no place in getting involved. Why should family, neighbors, employers, or the government have a say in whether someone wants to wear pants or a skirt to work? Or whether someone wants male or female body parts? I can't imagine how it would feel to have outsiders constantly pass judgment on my lifestyle. I realize that gender identity is one area where I'm definitely privileged. I'm physically and emotionally a female and I take joy in wearing make-up, heels, and dresses. I love jewelery, the color pink, and muscular men. I'm privileged because what I like happens to fall under what society considers "acceptable" for me.

That being said, I have no qualms whatsoever with someone who may have been born a woman but believes they should be a man (or vice versa). Just because I enjoy wearing feminine clothes and I exhibit certain feminine behaviors doesn't mean all other women should have to. If there are other women out there who want to get a sex change and live as men, they should have every right to. The same of course applies to men who want to become women. Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are guaranteed in the Bill of Rights and I don't see why they wouldn't apply in these situations. If undergoing a gender-transformation brings someone happiness, it doesn't make sense to me why they should be forced into a lifestyle that doesn't work for them. If someone is a good, compassionate, and decent human being, that's what truly counts. As Martin Luther King Jr. emphasized, it is important to judge someone by the content of their character.

I found Adams's Chapeter 88: Transgender Liberation to be very interesting. I emphathize greatly with the transgender community located near the Compton Cafeteria and I can understand why many of them felt immense resentment toward the police officers. It made me feel queasy to read about how transgender women were treated when arrested on suspicion of prostitution. It makes me sick to think about how they were objectified, driven around in squad cars for hours, strip-searched, and forced to perform oral sex. It was heart-wrenching to read about how they were often locked in men's jails and consequently were put at a greater risk for sexual assault, rape, and murder.

On a positive note, I'm glad that the Compton Cafeteria Riot of 1966 brought awareness to the plight of transgender people. While the riot didn't eliminate their oppresion overnight, it did make San Franciscans think about how to improve their treatment of these individuals. Adams eloquently describes the shift in attitude when he says "---to begin treating them, in fact, as citizens with legitimate needs instead of simply as a problem to get rid of" (Adams, 435). While I have experienced discrimination as a woman of color, there is no way my experiences of oppression can equate to those who identify as transgender. The dissonance between one's gender at birth and psychological gender must be difficult enough to deal with; I can't imagine how it must feel to deal with immense oppression on top of that.

I've noticed that transgender identities are stigmatized throughout many different countries. My mom has told me about "hijras," the Hindi word for transsexuals. Like transsexuals in the United States, transsexuals in India live on the fringes of society. People treat them as outcasts and feel immensely threatened by them. They are often involved in prostitution since they struggle to find respectable employment. They are also more prone to assault and rape than many other people. An example of their ostracism is in the Indian myth that they are cursed. It is said in India that if hijras ask for money and you don't give it to them, they can curse your family. For this reason, people are very quick to empty out their wallets when hijras come begging for money. It's sad that this is one of the ways that transsexuals in India make a living--through other people's fear of them.

Indonesia is another country where transgender people face immense discrimination. President Obama's former nanny, Evie, described her experience as a transsexual in Indonesia in an article last month http://news.yahoo.com/ap-exclusive-obamas-transgender-ex-nanny-outcast-070907242.html. Although she never wore women's clothes in front of him, she lived a considerable part of her life as a woman. The turning point came when she found one of her other transgender friends beaten to death. After considering the harrasment and possible threat to her life in a conservative Islamic country, Evie reverted back to presenting herself as a man. In the Yahoo article she shares experiences she's had running away from cops with batons and struggling to find work. Nevertheless, in spite of the oppression and discrimination she has endured, Evie proudly declares, "Now when people call me scum, I just say 'but I was the nanny for the President of the United States!'"

The transgender population is often overlooked or looked upon as undesirable in our society. Since we pride ourselves on being a nation that values equality, it is vital that we consider the needs and struggles of these individuals. At the end of the day, they are also human beings. A significant reason for the prevalence of transphobia in our nation is the manner in which we are socialized. Society attempts to inculcate a fear of this population within us at a young age, and the first thing we can do to alter this pattern is to educate others. If we inform others about the struggles of transgender people and make it known that they are citizens and not "scum," we can make a huge impact. A shift in attitude is the most important step that we, as a society, can take in order to achieve equality for all people.

Ghana Blog: Race, White Privilege, and Ghana

Race is a topic that remains unacknowledged in our society. While most Americans are aware of the racial tensions and disparities that exist, many don't feel comfortable talking about it. In my Foundations for Social Justice class, we have had many discussions regarding the significance of race in America. Despite the strides we have made throughout the course of time, racial divides still exist. While people of color lead considerably better lives and have more equal opportunity than in past year, White privilege exists in various shapes and forms.

My personal experiences with race have been different from most people I've talked to. One of the main differences lies in the fact that the United States doesn't have a very well-established Indian community. While there are pockets of Indians in certain parts of the country, our ethnic group still a small minority. Another defining factor is that I was raised very differently from many of the Indian kids I knew while growing up. I went to a primarily White elementary school and then went to a magnet middle school where the majority of students were Hispanic and Black. In high school, my close friends were multiethnic and multireligious. After college, my life became even more of a melting pot: I'm a proud Indian-American with a strong sense of Indian roots, my boyfriend is Nigerian-American, my 3 roommates are Hispanic, and I have close friends that are Indians of different religious faiths, White, Black, Hispanic, Middle Eastern, and mixed.

My appearance is further evidence of my experience as a melting pot. I find that people often don't know how to classify me. I'm often asked if I'm Arab, part Black, or part Hispanic. I've noticed over the years that while people seem to be doing a better job of identifying me as Indian, many continue to struggle. I don't feel offended by this at all--in fact, I can see why people may mistake me for another ethnicity. I have similar facial features to many Arab people, I share a similar skin tone with many Black people, and my hair texture is similar to many Hispanic people's. In a way, I find it really interesting that I can be percieved as a member of four different ethnicties.

The role of White Privilege in my life is quite confusing. Indians are often referred to by society and the media as a "model minority." This plays into the stereotype of Indians as doctors, engineers, and occasionally convenience store owners. I personally find this term to be extremely irritating. It almost makes me feels like a lap dog that's getting a pat on the back for being "obedient." I find that attitude to be quite dehumanizing. Regardless of the perception of Indians as a "model minority," I find that I still lack White Privilege in many ways. I've experienced racial slurs while growing up, people have assumed I'm not from here, I get occasional dirty looks in public, and I've been treated differently from my White counterparts in certain settings. It's tough having to deal with the "model minority" label since there is an urealistic, stereotypical perception of us as high-achieving professionals. At the same time, we suffer for this because society assumes that we're so "perfect" and don't have any problems. Consequently, what happens is that discimination, economic inequalities, and emotional health needs experienced by these communities are overlooked.

As far as race within our Ghana program is concerned, I'm looking forward to going with a racially mixed group. I appreciate the fact there is such a wide range of people. Coming from a nation with a history of racial tension, I feel that most of us are well aware of the magnitude of injustices that occur. In fact, I feel that this awareness can manifest in a positive manner in Ghana. It is likely that our knowledge and understanding about oppression that has taken place in our country will carry over and help us implement successful service learning projects. Our overall awareness can be a useful tool in empowering Ghanian communities. Additionally, our heightened sense of sensitivity will come through when we hear comments related to race made by Ghanians. I know Dr. Gilbert mentioned in class that Ghanians use terms to refer to race very loosely. I feel that as members of a racially mixed group from a country with a history of racial strife, we have an innate sense of cultural competence. I don't think the Ghanian references will offend most of us since we understand that they aren't out of malice or hatefulness. The most important thing to keep in mind is that we all have one thing in common--our passion and desire to work with communities in Ghana. While there may be surface level differences between one another, we are all more similar than different.

Social Justice Blog: Is Our Society Really Post-Sexist and Post-Racist?

One of the most important things I've realized this week is that we as a society still have so far to go when it comes to eliminating inequalities. It's not that I didn't know this earlier, however, in light of the readings, my own research on the Clarence Thomas case, and the on-going Trayvon Martin case it has become more evident to me. We, as Americans, are often so quick to criticize other societies for being backward yet we continue to struggle with racial and gender disparities in our society. While we should do our part to help other nations with their struggles, it is imperative that we look at our own problems as well. I'll being by talking a little bit about sexism.

Chapter 70 of Adams's book really resonated with me. We supposedly live in a society where equal opportunity exists yet it doesn't seem this way at times. Many women would agree that despite the strides society has made, double standards and discrimination in the workplace still exist. A few of the most hard-hitting examples in this chapter are: "HE's having a baby: He'll need a raise---SHE's having a baby: She'll cost the company money in maternity benefits," "HE's firm---SHE's stubborn," "HE loses his temper---SHE's bitchy," and "HE exercises authority---SHE's tyrannical." Although women are much more liberated than they used to be, there are still many hurdles we have to overcome. One of my classmates eloquently stated that it seems like as women, we can never win. If we abide by traditional gender roles, we are weak. If we are confident and in control, we're bitches. The examples in this Adams chapter demonstrate how the same behavior that put women in a negative light put men in a positive light.

Another one of the chapters I found interesting was Chapter 65, "Violence against Women is a Men's Issue." The author makes a strong case when he states that since 99 percent of rape is perpetrated by men, it is in fact a men's issue. I also agree with his statement that we must work toward chaning sexist norms throughout all areas of society, "from the elementary school playground to the common room in retirement communities---and every locker room, pool hall, and boardroom in between. The sad truth is that women have also been socialized into thinking sexist behavior is acceptable. If everything from ancient traditions to modern day pop culture is encouraging you to abide by certain norms, it's very hard to go against society. We, as Americans, talk about the likes of the Middle East and Africa as very oppressive societies (which they are in some ways), however, it's almost as if we fail to notice the disparities that take place here at home. If you ask me, it's pretty backward if women can't go out at night without the fear of getting raped or attacked.

After Professor G briefly mentioned Clarence Thomas and Anita Hill, I was interested in learning more about the case. I understood that it related to sexual harrasment and came about around the time I was born, however, I never knew the details of the situation. As I read more about Anita Hill's allegations, some of the responses she recieved were shocking. So many people were quick to blame her and accuse her of lying. Some even suggested that she was delusional and that Clarence Thomas wasn't capable of such behavior. I personally find it very courageous of her to stand up in public and speak out against someone's wrongdoing. Society expects women to brush these issues under the rug, even if they are very serious.

There's no doubt in my mind that Anita Hill was speaking the truth. Why would someone lie about something so serious? The fact that other women also recognized his inappropriate behavior is proof that she wasn't the only one who felt uncomfortable. I was disgusted as I read through the allegations. In addition to asking her out multiple times, he brought up sex during work, discussed women and animals having sex, described his own "sexual prowess," and made comments about his anatomy. My first thought upon reading this was, "Creep." It's unfortunate that the court ruled in favor of him by such a narrow margin. However, on a more positive note, this led to the "Year of the Woman." Many women upset by the treatment of Ms.Hill felt that the 98% male Senate didn't take her complaints seriously. This sense of frustration ultimately led to greater empowerment and a record increase in female political participation. In the House of Representatives, 24 women won new seats.

I have a serious problem with this "blaming the victim" attitude present in our society. Whether it is Ms. Hill or Trayvon Martin, some people are so quick to accuse the victim or doubt them. Wouldn't a better way to end racism or sexism be to actually direct our anger toward the perpetrators? It disgusted me to read that some politicians dismissed Ms. Hill as crazy and unstable. It also infuriates me when people say that Trayvon wouldn't have been shot if he wasn't wearing a hoodie. Really? Our nation is supposed to be a free country that protects people regardless of their gender, skin color, sexual orientation, or religious affiliation. Obviously our society isn't as progressive as we think it is if so many people are still treated like second-class citizens.

Now the question is, what are we going to do about it? This class has really helped me think more about the "how" in addition to the "what." I really like Professor's G's idea about using writing as a a tool to advocate for certain causes. The written word is more powerful than many people think. My dad was telling me recently about an experience he had when he was a student at UT in the late 80s. At that time, someone had written a very racist editorial about Aparatheid, justifying the South African government's treatment of people of color. The editorial was apparently very condescending and portrayed minorities as unintelligent. In his anger, my dad wrote a response to that editorial and sent it to the Daily Texan. His response ended up getting published and thanks to his efforts, many people were able read about a different point of view. When he was at UT, there wasn't much ethnic, religious, and cultural diversity. The fact that he got his word out in an eloquent, educated manner let bigoted people know that there are others who aren't ok with racism and will speak out against it.

I personally feel that part of being a good social worker involves passionately advocating for important causes. Part of the journey involves reading books and taking classes, however, the other part includes putting the knowledge into action. This involves educating the community about social issues, attending rallies and meetings, and being involved in the political process. I realize that I alone can't eliminate oppression. However, if I take a stand and encourage others to follow my example, we can change the world.

Pakistani Acid Victim Commits Suicide

http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2110403,00.html

It breaks my heart to read that 33 year old Fakhra Yonnus commited suicide today. She endured so much pain through her life and it hurts me to read about everything she went through. Her struggles began as she worked as a stripper in the red-light district of Karachi, Pakistan. She then got involved with a Pakistani politician whom she married when she was 17. A few years into her marriage, he started verbally and physically abusing her. One day in his anger he threw a bucket of acid on her. Her situation became so severe that her sister-in-law was concerned that she wouldn't make it. Her burns were so bad that her nose was melting and she couldn't breathe. Luckily, word eventually got out to humanitarian organizations and she was then taken to Italy for plastic surgeries. It looks like the emotional scarring she experienced was too deep and the damage had already been done. She decided on March 29 that life wasn't worth living and jumped from the 6th floor of the building in Rome where she was being treated. After reading this story, I really felt motivated to do something to raise awareness about this. Acid attacks on women are not ok. What do you suggest we can do to expose these horrors that take place? How can we protect women in male-dominated societies so they aren't subjected to this type of treatment?

Social Justice Blog: Education, Disparities, and the Achievement Gap

The articles Professor G sent us, the lecture in the Utopia Theater, and my experience interviewing teachers at Reagan High School have taught me a great deal about the "achievement gap" in the past two weeks. It is common knowledge that minority students are more likely to face hurdles in achieving academic success than their White counterparts. These hurdles come as a result of economic hardships and social barriers. The media and society as a whole focus more on the fact that these problems exist than on means for creating positive change for these students. I personally believe we need to focus more on the "how" instead of the "what" in order to make a difference.

I found the article discussing why black students are lagging to be very interesting and informative. Mr. Ogbu's research delves into the source behind the achievement gap and it provides clear reasons for the situation. I've definitely noticed in my experience that many minority students are afraid to be percieved as "acting white." The middle school I attended was a Humanities Magnet Program located in downtown Austin. There was a wide range of students from all across the city, including a fair share of Blacks and Hispanics. I remember there were times where myself and some of my Black and Hispanic friends were chastised by others for "talking white." I remember coming home crying one day telling my mom that a black girl told me that I was basically white because I "act white."

The girl's comment infuriated me because I have always been one who is proud of my ethnic roots. I couldn't understand why this girl more or less referred to me as a sell-out. My mom responded by telling me that if someone associates speaking gramatically correct English and having good manners as "white" qualities, it really goes to show their own sense of inferiority. To this day, I couldn't agree more. It frustrates me when I hear people associate intelligence and refined behavior with being "white," because it is almost as if they think that only White people are capable of these attributes. I honestly think that this mentality plays a signifcant role for many minorities. I remember there being many intelligent Black and Hispanic students at my middle school who stopped caring about school after they were accused by their peers for "trying to be white." How can we, as a society, change these perceptions that many minority students have? How can we let them know that they are capable as any White student of achieving academic success?

This ties into the lecture we attended on Wednesday pertaining to the achievement gap. I agree, like the others, that it wasn't exactly what I expected. While Mr.Edleman is a great speaker and the subject is something I'm very passionate about, I don't think the presentation as a whole did justice to the complexity of this issue. As I stated in class, it would have been beneficial to hear the panel's opinion on the role of peers. Psychological studies demonstrate that the peer group plays an important role during adolescence. I'm interested in solutions that assess the importance of peer validation. The reason why many minority students face greater hurdles isn't a lack of intelligence; it is a lack of social support. The achievement gap exists in part because students of color that excel academically are often ridiculed by community members for "trying to act white." The first step to solving this problem is to address ways to promote community involvement and support.

The teachers I interviewed at Reagan High School for my social justice project addressed the importance of support and encouragement for minority students. When I asked them what hurdles came in the way of Reagan's students, they listed a couple of issues including economic hardships,teenage pregnancy, and neighborhood crime. I admire all three of the teachers I interviewed for their passion and commitment to the well-being of their students. They attributed the root of these problems to a cycle of poverty which feeds off itself. The health sciences teacher put a special emphasis on the prevalence of teen pregnancies at the school. She stated that the school has a daycare and a pregnancy rate of 30%. She also noted that pregnancy at an early age is considered socially acceptable for many teens at Reagan.

I personally feel this high frequency of pregnancy demonstrates the lack of expectations these girls have for themselves. The world history teacher stated that he believes this apathy comes from the girls being told that their sole purpose is to procreate. If society expects certain things from you, it is very difficult to go against the norm. As far as the male students go, there is a strong level of gang influence, he said. He emphasized that a sense of belonging is key at this age, and the decision to focus on academics isn't a well-respected one. A lack of adequate family and community support drives many of these students to make decisions without clearly assessing the consequences.

After hearing all of this information and reflecting on the class readings and lectures, I feel even more inspired to help the situation. I feel even more passionate about empowering minority students that doubt themselves. I know that Mr. Edleman suggested mentoring and tutoring, both which are great, but I want to do something that can create a larger dent. Since the health sciences teacher at Reagan emphasized a need for positive role models, I want to do what I can to help. I believe that large-scale peer empowerment programs would be beneficial. If students participate together in such a program, they will be more likely to absorb the messages. Marianne Williamson's quote "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate--it's that we are powerful beyond measure," couldn't be more true. The achievement gap is reflective of a lack of faith many minority students have in themselves, and I want to do what I can to change this. As social workers, we have the potential to collectively make a difference. If we put our heart and soul into this cause, we can significantly reduce the incidence of this disparity.

Ghana Blog Five: Quality of Life in Ghana

1)Population and Profile
-25,241,998
(July 2012 est.)
Age Groups
-0-14 years: 36.5% (male 4,568,273/female 4,468,939)
15-64 years: 60% (male 7,435,449/female 7,436,204)
65 years and over: 3.6% (male 399,737/female 482,471) (2011 est.)
Median Age total: 21.4 years
male: 21.1 years
female :21.6 years (2011 est.)

2) Birth/Death Rates
Birth Rate: 26.99 births/1,000 population (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 47
Death Rate: 8.57 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 80
Life Expectancy
total population: 61.45 years
country comparison to the world: 187
male: 60.22 years
female: 62.73 years (2012 est.)

3)Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 57.9%
male: 66.4%
female:49.8% (2000 census)

4) Leading Causes of Death
-Diarrheal Diseases (23,516 deaths or12.53% of deaths in 2010)
-HIV/AIDS (18,465 or 9.84% of deaths in 2010)

5) Imports and Exports
Imports: capital equipment, petroleum, foodstuffs
Exports: gold, cocoa, timber, tuna, bauxite, aluminum, manganese ore, diamonds,
horticulture

6)Percentage below poverty line-28.5% (Census 2007)

7)Unemployment Rate- 11% (2000 est)

8) School Life Expectancy
total: 10 years
male: 11 years
female: 10 years (2009)

9)From modernghana.com: “ In Ghana, it is difficult to talk about
'average' house prices, because there is no central record of land and property
transitions which take place in this country - this lack of regulation in the
industry in fact one of the factors compounding the escalating-price problem. The
most common way of averaging house prices elsewhere is to take the median, that
is the middle, price – this way, the figure is less distorted by the top two or
so percent of particularly expensive properties.”

-However, the average household size is 4.6, the average rooms per household is 2.4, and the average room density is 2.0.

10) Prevalence of cell phone and Internet users
Cellular Phone Users
17.436
million (2010)
country comparison to the world: 48
Internet Hosts
60,282 (2011)
country comparison to the world: 91
Internet Users
1.297 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 93

Sources:
http://www.worldlifeexpectancy.com/country-health-profile/ghana
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/gh.html
http://www.modernghana.com/news/122211/1/house-prices-in-accra-too-high.html
http://www.ghanadistricts.com/region/?r=1&sa=90

Analysis
1) Physical Geography: Ghana is very rich in natural resources, including gold, timber, industrial diamonds, bauxite, manganese, fish, rubber, hydropower, petroleum, silver, salt, limestone. This allows for different industries to flourish and for Ghana to utilize these souces as exports. Agriculture is also a substantive part of Ghana's economy and the rainy tropical climate of the south allows for fruits, vegetables and grains to grow. However, Ghana does face disadvantages in the dry, arid north which is susceptible to drought and famine. Additionally, the area is known to recieve dust storms in the earlier half of the year. Based on this information, it appears that the standard of living ranges between low and medium for most people. While statistics show that roughly 25% of people live below the poverty line, there are likely other people who profit from the lucrative opportunites related to natural resources and agriculture.
2) Government System: On a positive note, Ghana has been described by the United Nations as Africa's most successful democracy. There is a democratic system of government intact, where people vote in elections and have the opportunity to experience their grievances. Nonetheless, corruption is prevalent throughout the Ghanian government. Ghana is better off than many other African nations yet it still lacks an effective structure. Another hurdle in the government system is the lack of acceptance of women politicians. While the likes of Kwame Nkrumah's daughter are examples of Ghanian women in politics, women are for the most part looked down upon for speaking their mind.
3) Economic system: Ghana's economy is 28.3 % agriculture based, 21 % industry based, and 50.7% service based. The average annual per capita income is $3,100. Since this figure is conveyed in American dollars, it's difficult to assess the situation. While 3,100 dollars seems like very little money for most Americans, by Ghanian standards, this amount of money may be just enough to help someone get by. That's not to say that poverty doesn't exist--there's no doubt that it does exist to a great extent. However, it's possible that certain items are proportionally cheaper for Ghanians. I have noticed in my trips to India that one can get a decent sized meal for $2--something that doesn't happen often in the US. I imagine that in Ghana the situation is similar.
4) History: Ghana used to be known as the Gold Coast during the time of colonialism. The presence of gold attracted colonists from Portugal, France, and England. While the British were the primary colonizers of the region, there were traders from the other two aforememtioned regions. The Portuguese built the Elimina Slave Castles to transport slaves from Ghana to other parts of the world. After years of slavery and oppression by European governments, Kwame Nkrumah helped Ghana achieve independence in 1957. This was a collective effort, with the help of pan-African thinkers like W.E. Dubois and Marcus Garvey. He was the first leader of Ghana and set the stage for making Ghana arguable the most democratic of African nations. The history of Ghana relates to the current standard of living in many ways. First and foremost, the fact that Ghana is a democracy impacts the people in a positive way. On the same token, since Ghana is a relatively new country it still faces difficulties with oganization and eliminating corruption. The deep-rooted oppression faced by Ghanians over time has also contributed greatly to poverty. For one, the Europeans exploited the natural resources and didn't allow the Ghanians to profit from them. Additionally, the lack of infrastructure contributes to social and economic difficulties.
5) Culture: Ghana is an extremely diverse nation with roughly 60 ethnic groups, 52 major languages, and hundreds of dialects. Ghana's culture is rich with different forms of music, literature, and festivals. There are a couple of ways in which the culture impacts the standard of living. First of all, Ghana experiences its fair share of ethnic strife and conflict. Although its diversity is admirable, it has unfortunately caused controversy between different groups. The case is similar for religion. There are also clashes between different religious groups (Christians, Muslims, and indigenous faiths). Life is indisputably more difficult for Ghanians in that they have to keep in mind the possibility of ethnic and religious riots. Another area where culture intersects lifestyle is in the role of women. While many communities within Ghana are matrilineal, there is still a common expection that women should be bearers of children and be confined to household labor. As I mentioned earlier, this influences the literacy rate for women, the Ghanian economy's output, and the participation of women in the political process.
6) How this relates to Gender Empowerment: The information I've gathered today further emphasizes the need for alleviating the status of women. Whether it's the average level of education attained, the literacy rate, or the number of jobs held, there is definitely a gap between men and women. For many years, the focus for women has primarily been taking care of the family. Although modern attitudes about educating and empowering women exist, change is occuring at a slow pace. While my Gender Empowerment group may not be able to make a huge dent in Ghanian society and attitudes, it is my hope that we will be able to convey messages of self-determination and economic empowerment for the women we work with.

Standing Out In The Crowd: A Little Bit On Religion

I must say that one of the things I like best about Adams's book is his lists of different experiences. I recently read his "A Beginning List of Christian Privileges," which really got my wheels turning. The more I read about privileges of different groups in this class, the more it just hits me what a significant impact social categorizations have on our daily lives. Earlier on this book, I remember reading a similar list titled "50 Experiences of Racially Mixed People." These lists do a thorough job of putting a face on abstract concepts like race, religion, class, etc.

After reading Adams's list of Christian privileges, I realized how true it is that Christians do have certain advantages. I don't usually sit around thinking "Hmm...I wonder what privileges Christians have?" but after perusing through the different statements it began to hit me how our society is essentially constructed around the religion. From Protestant prayer napkins at Chuy's to the abudance of churches around the country, there are multiple examples of Christianity as a hegemon.

Some of the statements that really stuck out to me included "I can be sure that my children will be given curricular materials that testify the existence and importance of the Christian religion," "I am never asked to speak for all the people of my religious group," and " I can remain oblivious to the language and customs of other religious groups without feeling any penalty for such a lack of interest/knowledge." It really just dawned on my how, as a Hindu-American, I've subconsciously molded my life to fit in accordance with the dominant religion. For one, I was never given curricular material in school that taught me about my religion. Aside from one amazing philosophy class at my humanities magnet middle school, no class every taught me anything significant about my religion. Thankfully, I didn't lose touch with my culture or religion due to my parents' insistence on teaching me about my roots. However, had I grown up in a household where the parents didn't enforce this, I would have ended up knowing nothing about my religion. How sad, huh?

Looking at the other two statements I've highlighted, I've definitely felt like I'm expected to "represent" Hindus. I've also noticed that it's almost socially acceptable for members of dominant religions to not know anything about my religion while I'm expected to know all about theirs. First of all, why should I be the spokesperson for Hinduism? Yes, I'm happy to answer questions about Hindu history, beliefs, and practices but we must keep in mind that we are all individuals. While I'm more laid-back in my practice, there are Hindus that are extremely devout. Second, I have no problem with learning about other religions; in fact, I truly enjoy classes and readings pertaining to world religions. However, I feel that it is equally important for members of dominant faiths to learn about minority religions. I remember once in high school a friend and I were talking about a young man both of us found attractive. We somehow ended up talking about what religion he was and I mentioned that he was Muslim. The girl, who was a Catholic, proceeded to say, "Well, maybe it might be better for you to go out with him, since your religions are closer anyway."

This statement left me dumbfounded; I'm no Catholic scholar but I can tell you that Catholicism and Islam are actually closer together in their beliefs because they fall under the monotheistic family (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam). Also, Hinduism and Islam are extremely different religions with no common basis. Yes, people who practice these two religions may often be of the same ethnicity, but the religions themselves are completely and utterly different. The irony of this is that the girl was among the top few people in our class of 700. This situation is truly demonstrative of society's lack of emphasis on learning about minority groups.

From a historical standpoint, oppression 0f minority religions has existed for centuries. Whether it is the Native Americans, Jews in Nazi Germany or Muslims in post 9/11 America, minority groups have faced countless struggles when it comes to social equality. These struggles range from not having a holiday acknowledged to harassment and even violence. As I looked through Adams's maps of the history of anti-semitism, my stomach churned. It always boggles my mind to think that six million unarmed and innocent Jewish civillians were murdered. It is unbelievable how something as simple as religious differences led Nazis to murder, beat, starve, and gas Jews. On a similar note, I remember my mom telling me about Hindu-Sikh riots in India in the 1980s after Indra Gandhi's assasination. There were rumors that her Sikh bodyguards were behind her murder, and as result, many Sikhs were attacked and burned alive in the streets of Delhi. The sad truth is that people often resort to oppressive measures when they feel threatened by those different from themselves.

In the field of social work, a sense of worldliness and awareness of different backgrounds are vital tools. We come in contact with so many different populations that are multiethnic, multireligious, and of different genders and sexual orientations. It is important to be aware of the needs, desires, and struggles of these groups of people as we help them find effective solutions. In the context of religion, it is crucial that we are sensitive to various religious practices, beliefs, and traditions. It is my goal to gain a thorough understanding of world religions before I practice social work. I also hope to raise awareness about the diversity of religions and encourage society to place an emphasis on the importance of learning about them.

An Editorial On Rush Limbaugh's Recent Comments

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/04/opinion/sunday/dowd-have-you-no-shame-rush.html?_r=1&hp

Social Justice Blog Seven: Fighting Economic Inequalities and Prejudices

Like always, I've been exposed to so much new, eye-opening information this week in our Social Justice class. I really appreciate that our discussions, class documentaries, and readings provide in-depth, real-life perspectives on different social issues. I like that I'm able to connect these topics to either my personal experiences or situations that I've come across. I'll begin today by talking a bit about instances where I've witnessed classism.

Adams's "Bonds of Sisterhood--Bonds of Oppression" chapter was very relatable to the treatment I've seen of domestic help in the United States and abroad. He hits the nail on the head when he describes the deferential behavior of the employer that "enhances the domestic's inferiority" (Adams, 197). As I read over the account of a domestic worker who was repeatedly undermined and called a "poor, uneducated Mexican," it reminded me of something I have seen personally. When I was younger, there was another Indian woman my mom new who would complain to my mom how Latinos were poor, lazy, etc. This woman hired the same domestic help my mom did (a Nicaraguan woman), and there's no doubt her attitude manifested in her treatment of the help. From what my mom told me this woman would say, it cringed to make me think about her behavior toward the Nicaraguan woman. My mom would get very angry at this woman's comments and repeatedly told her how wrong it is to stereotype and look down on someone else.

Classism is very prevalent in the Indian community in America. Although my family fights against racism and classism, there are members of the community that are quite apathetic. It has always bothered my parents, brother, and myself how so many Indians look down on other people of color and people of lower socioeconomic backgrounds. First of all, as a family, we have a wide range of friends of different ethnicities and backgrounds and the whole concept of prejudice just doesn't register for us. Second, my parents always taught us that being considered a "model minority" doesn't mean that we are in any way better than other people of color.

They always emphasized that just because many members of our community are doctors, engineers, and brokers doesn't mean we are superior to anyone. I really admire my parents for being the genuine and brave people they are. Even if it means speaking out against an off-hand comment at an Indian dinner party with 50 plus people, they will do it. I'm thankful that they taught my brother and myself these good values.

Another one of Adams's chapters I've found interesting was "White Poverty: Politics of Invisibility. It is definitely true that the media focuses a lot more on poverty among minorities than on the economic hardships of poor whites. There is an excerpt in the book discussing the plight of a girl called "white trash" by her black classmates. When I saw the quote, "And no matter how poor she was, she would always be white," (Adams, 202) it got me thinking. When I was younger, I was under the impression that race played more of a role in someone's life than class did, but I later realized that might not always be the case.

It seemed to me that well-off people of color would have it worse than a very poor white person. It really appeared that white privilege could go a long way in helping someone achieve economic success and social acceptance. However, as I got older, I realized this isn't entirely true. There's no clear cut answer regarding who would be better off since it depends on the individual situation. However, there are cases of underserved white communities in America that are looked down upon by others for their poverty and backwardness. Whether it is a mining community in the Appalachian mountains or a trailer community in Alabama, there are many white people who experience abject poverty. White privilege definitely exists, however, it doesn't seem to help all individuals. As social workers, it's vital that we reach out to as many communities as we can.

I"ll conclude today by saying a little bit about the Wal-Mart documentary we watched. From the time I was around 8 years old, my mom switched from shopping at Wal-Mart to shopping at Target. When I asked her why, she told me that Wal-Mart doesn't treat people well. As I got older, I gained a better understanding of what she meant. Before watching the movie, I knew that Wal-Mart exploited factory laborers and didn't provide good health benefits for its employees. However, I wasn't aware of the great extent it took place at. I felt my stomach churning when we watched the section discussing how the company owners removed clock-in hours from employees' records. How disgusting! As it is these people make barely $13,000 a year--aren't they the last people who deserve to be cheated?

For all the people that claim that "hard work" can alleviate poverty, I want to show them this film. Many of the Wal-Mart employees are honest, hard-working employees that are being manipulated by the system. They recieve so little finiancial assistance from the company and are taken advantage of by money-hungry business people. It broke my heart to hear about the woman who worked so many shifts under the condition that she would recieve a management position, only to find out that the employeer was cheating her all this while. It was truly sad to hear how she wished she could have spent that time with her family had she known this would happen.

It is really important for us, as a society, to be aware of the race/class prejudice and economic abuse by corporations in order to eliminate inequalities. The more people that speak out against these injustices, the quicker it will be that such oppression will at least be minimized. In my pursuit of knowledge pertaining to social justice, I try to learn more and more about these social issues every day. The way I see it, if I'm educated about these situations, I'll be better equipped to raise awareness.

Social Justice Blog Six: Deep-Rooted Class Inequalities In America

Adams's and Zinn's books have taught me a great deal about classism-a topic that I initially had a vague understanding of. I personally feel that the topic of class is kept under wraps even more than many other social issues. It's extremely rare to hear someone say "That's classist of the government," or "Colleges are biased against the poor." Nevertheless, a significant percentage of the discrimination that takes place is based on class. Due to this barrier, large numbers of Americans have been struggling to escape poverty for generations.

As Zinn describes the atmosphere of the railroad system in the 1890s, he gives a glimpse into the centuries-long exploitation of people by corporations. I found it interesting that the wages were $957 for engineers, known as the "aristocrats of the railroad," while they were $575, $212, and $124 for conductors, brakemen, and laborers, respectively. The fact that railroad work was one of the most dangerous jobs in the country, where thousands were killed and injured each year, didn't seem to mean much to the companies. To top it off, many of these companies had the audacity to classify these deaths as "acts of God" or "carelessness of the workers." The Locomotive Firemen's Magazine correctly asseses the situation as he describes how the workers are overworked and that the accidents are "chargable to the greed of the corporation" (Zinn, 278). It's heart-breaking to read about the harsh reality that the needs of low-income earners have been put on the backburner for such a long time.

Another issue prevalent throughout both Zinn's and Adams' readings is the link between racism and classim in America. During the time of farmers alliances in the 1890s, blacks hoped to share the benefits of reconstruction and achieve economic success. However, this was very difficult due to the barriers of prejudice and racism, especially in the South. In Zinn's book, the historian Goodwyn describes the apprehension felt by blacks when others encouraged them to join the Colored Farmers National Alliance. Although this organization brought many different races of people together, many blacks were skeptical that they would benefit from the economic reforms proposed by this party. Goodwyn describes how the curbing of "vicious corporate monopoly" didn't carry the "ring of salvation it did for white agrarians" (Zinn, 289).

In the present day, institutionalized racism continues to keep many minorities in low socioeconomic stratas. A study by the Federal Reserve shows that for mortgage applications, the poorest white applicant is more likely to get a mortgage loan approved than a black in the highest socioeconomic group (Adams, 165). If blacks of the highest income bracket continue to struggle, imagine the plight of poor blacks. It blows my mind how discrimination continues to impede the success of many individuals. It infuriates me when I hear people discussing how poverty is a choice and that if people worked hard they wouldn't be poor. Obviously, these people haven't examined the classism and racism that creates obstacles for so many hard-working people.

I also found the statistics on admissions to elite colleges to be eye-opening. While I have heard stories about connections and wealth playing a role in some students' admissions, I didn't know it took place at such a great extent. It's shocking that so many students who failed to meet the advertised requirements of the university got in due to these external factors. It's even more mind-boggling that white students of this category are twice as prevalent on campuses as minority students who recieve admissions breaks based on their ethnicity. What good does it do for our society if so many students are turned down in favor of half-qualified children of donors and alumni?

This weeks readings have really shown me how connected socioeconomic status is to one's background and the institutions around them. I've always been a firm believer that poverty is not a choice but rather the effect of society's apathy and generational cycles. The readings confirmed my belief that sometimes hard work isn't enough to alleviate someone's financial struggles. Hard work is oftentimes in vain because of biased economic policies and systems designed in favor of the elite. As a future social worker, I hope to make changes in public policies that promote racism and classism. It's my goal to help design policies that eliminate institutionalized racism and provide resources that empower families economically.

Article on Recent Affirmative Action Case

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/22/us/justices-to-hear-case-on-affirmative-action-in-higher-education.html?_r=1&hpw

I really hope that this case won't reduce diversity here at UT, or any other selective school. One of the most enriching parts of my experience here has been the wide range of people I've come in contact with. Additionally, affirmative action goes a long way in reaching out those from underserved communities. It's great to hear that minorities, people from low income backgrounds, etc have the chance to achieve their dreams through this policy. I understand that there are some glitches in the system and there are cases of unqualified people gaining admission over qualified people. However, I think that the success stories outweigh the other stories. I've met people who are extremely intelligent, yet they may not have had as strong grades, test scores, etc due to their environment and lack of preparation. This policy helps such individuals reach their potential and takes into consideration the struggles that may have impeded their success. I agree that the system can be modified in some ways, however, I feel that its general concept is in line with our American ideology. Affirmative action is one way that we can achieve equality in our society, and I truly hope that it isn't eliminated.

Social Justice Blog Five: Racism-The Centuries Old Elephant In The Room

Zinn's excerpts regarding the plight of African-American slaves as well as Adams' narratives about discrimination portrayed racism as a real life situation experienced by real people. For many people, its seems that oppression is more of a concept than a reality. The likes of Zinn and Adams effectively utilize their positions as writers to show the world that which has been kept under wraps for generations---prejudice against people of color. From slavery to contemporary racism and my own personal experiences, I'll share my interpretation of the effects of racism on society throughout the course of time.

For starters, reading about the manner in which African blacks were enslaved and transported to the Americas infuriated me immensely for two reasons. First of all, the complete disregard for human life that seemed to be socially acceptable at that time is sickening. It was extremely painful to read about how they were "packed aboard slave ships, in spaces not much bigger than coffins....choking in the stench of their own excrement" (Zinn, 28). The slave Abream Scriven's letter to his wife telling her to convey to his parents "if we Shall not meet in this world I hope to meet in heaven," (Zinn, 173) is also heart-breaking. Second, it is unjust in my opinion that African-Americans in the present day still have to struggle with the effects of this deep-rooted oppression. The emotions, feelings, and concerns of enslaved people are unfortunately overlooked in school history classes, thus leading future generations to have a limited understanding of the suffering that took place. It's shocking how racism and maltreatment that occurred hundreds of years ago have made the journey forward much more difficult.

I also found Adams' short narratives describing racism in America to be very powerful and emphatic. The "minor and major advantages" of White feminist scholar Peggy McIntosh were interesting to read about since they address areas of life where people don't even realize they have a privilege. The fact that "she had greater access to jobs and housing, she could always find appropriate hair care products and make up, she could send her child to school confident that the teacher wouldn't discriminate against him on the basis of race, she could be late to meetings..."(Adams, 68) demonstrates more than anything else that she would be judged as an individual person. The whole concept of "white privilege" is indicative of the adaptations people of color have had to make due to set "norms" and "standards in our society.

Another narrative I found interesting was "Identification Pleas," discussing the marginalization of Native Americans. It was mind-boggling to me how the border patrol officer asked the man for his "real ID" when he showed his Native American Identification Card (Adams, 109). Due to the fact that Indians have been overlooked for centuries, people today often don't recognize them as a legitimate ethnic group. They percieve them instead as ancient figures found only in history textbooks.

Lastly, I felt like I could relate to the "Eyedentification" story (107). The whole notion of the "white standard" of beauty is something that many people of color have experienced. In the case of the Korean girl it's eyelid surgery, for many African-American girls it's the whole concept of "good hair", and for women of Indian origin it's the idea that lighter skin is better. Thanks to my mom's influence, I've grown up proud of my dark skin. However, I have experienced comments throughout my life implying that I would be better off with light skin. Many Indian people have told me that I'm a "pretty dark-skinned girl" and that I "would be even more beautiful if I were fairer." I find it heart-breaking that so many societies encourage their women to uphold colonial ideas of what is considered attractive. I hope there is a day when it's not a "privilege" to avoid experiencing such bigotry but rather it's the norm for all people.

A Little About Privilege (An Interesting Article Related to Social Justice)

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/17/world/asia/in-baad-afghan-girls-are-penalized-for-elders-crimes.html?_r=1&hp

The activity we did on Wednesday regarding self-identification and areas of privilege/oppression in our lives really opened my eyes. It really put my life into perspective for me by showing me how many areas where I have privilege. This really goes back to Adam's first chapter in Readings For Diversity and Social Justice, which discusses dual identities. Although I am a woman of color, two identities that are considered subordinate groups, I'm also a citizen of the United States, something that I consider a blessing. After reading this article about the plight of 8-year-old Shalika, it further confirmed what I claimed as a privilege in class. Due to the fact that this girl's uncle ran away with the wife of a district strongman, she was abducted by a group of men in the middle of the night. In his anger, the district strongman sent the men to take this girl in order to pay for her uncle's sins, through a practice called "baad." In Pashtun, Afghanistan's local language, this word describes an ancient practice of trading young girls and holding them in custody in order to pay for the sins of their elders. This system, which dates back to the time of ancient nomadic Afghan tribes, allows for these girls to be beaten and raped in retaliation for another's wrongdoing.

What I personally found to be shocking is that this girl's family isn't opposed to the practice of "baad." Her father even states in this article that he isn't against the system. His only concern is that his daughter is already the property of a man whom she was betrothed to at a young age. Another mind-boggling fact is that the provincial governments of the Pashtun states in Afghanistan don't find it necessary to take a stand against this practice. While male officials in the government claim that the effects of "baad" aren't that bad and the women are "only beaten a few times and give birth to one or two children," the women involved claim otherwise. It makes my blood boil to hear about how an innocent person is punished for another's mistakes as well as the fact that a woman's integrity, health, and well-being are put on the back burner. Not to mention the fact that the girls taken through "baad" are so young, way too young to be exposed to the treatment that they are in fact exposed to. Reading stories like this remind of what I have to be thankful for, and that I am privileged because there are laws in the United States that protect me 100%.

Ghana Blog Four: More About Gender Empowerment in Ghana

As I've been continuing my research on the status of women in Ghana, I've come across some vital information that would be useful in helping us implement our service learning project. Specifically, I came across two articles that were quite informative: "Women Still Sidelined Politically as 2012 Election Approaches" and "Integrate Gender, Social Inclusion Into Monitoring And Evalution." Both articles highlight disparities between different genders in the present day as well as means for empowering and advocating for women.

The first article "Women Still Sidelined Politically as 2012 Election Approaches" discusses the adversity against Ghanian women in politics, despite the recent rise of Samia Nkrumah. Samia is the daughter of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah who is Ghana's founding father. She is the first female chairperson of a political party since Ghana's independence in 1966. Although Samia's victory is a great step toward ending the marginalization of women in Africa, there are still many hurdles for these women to overcome. In Ghana, women involved in politics are oftentimes expected to simply support the decisions of men. Those that go against the ideas of men are often considered "trespassers."

Although Ghana is recognized for its progressive government by international organizations, one area where many west African nations lag behind is in the involvement of women in politics. There has been considerable opposition toward Samia, who is considering running for presidency this year. The fact that a mere eight percent of the parliament is comprised of women demonstrates the adversity against women in power. Afua Ansre, coordinator of the United Nations Women in Ghana, notes that the reason why it is so difficult for women to become involved in politics is due to the presence of deep-rooted gender roles.

The other article, "Integrate Gender, Social Inclusion Into Monitoring and Evalution" touches on the idea that Ghana should work toward being a more egalitarian society and help its women participate fully in economic, social, and political activities. Senior Gender Advisor Francesca Poybee-Hayford spoke at the Ghana Monitoring and Evalution Forum regarding avoiding exclusion of different minority groups as well as the benefits working women provide for society. Regarding the subject of ostracism, she highlighed the need for Ghanian society to avoid shunning the poor, those with HIV/AIDS, women, those with disabilities, and people branded as "witches and wizards."

She also emphasized the importance of helping women achieve financial independence. Poybee-Hayford estimated that if women were to work Ghana's productivity would rise by 3-25% and that educated women would invest more in their children. If the children reap the benefits of having educated mothers, this would increase human capital for national growth. In order to keep track of the progress of women throughout Ghana, she suggested developing an evidence based framework that would monitor improvements over the years.

Both these articles gave me more insight regarding the treatment and expectations of women in Ghana. By gaining an understanding of day-to-day struggles they face, I'll have a better idea of what subjects to discuss in our group's gender empowerment program. Through these two articles, it has been made clear to me that while improvements are taking place, there is still a ways to go in terms of political involvement and economic self-sufficiency. On the whole, women still lack educational opportunities available to their male counterparts. It is my goal, through this project, to better understand the nature of gender roles in Ghana as well as what actions need to be taken in order to elevate the status of women.

Social Justice Blog Four: Social Problems

I found today's discussion about social problems to be intriguing and stimulating. The activity where we moved around the room based on our feelings toward an issue really put social justice into perspective for me. Although I moved a couple of times throughout the exercise, it really hit me towards the end that all the aforementioned are social problems. Due to the manner in which Diane phrased a couple of the statements it didn't seem like it, however, each issue had some aspect relevant to society as a whole.

Cancer, sexual orientation, and wealth were a couple of ones that I noticed myself and others struggling to categorize. They are not as clear cut as say, domestic violence or child abuse which the majority of people agree are definite problems. Cancer, in my opinion, is a social problem; this is why I stayed in the left side of the room. Although cancer is often caused biological factors and not necessarily by society, the impact it has on people without healthcare is definitely one for us to think about. As an intern for the People's Community Clinic, I'm well aware of the recent budget cuts affecting the likes of PCC and Planned Parenthood. Physicals and breast exams for women will no longer be offered at the low cost rate at which they once were, thus putting multiple people at a higher risk for cervical and breast cancer. It's no secret that cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the country, and unfortunately, many of the people who die won't make it simply because of a lack of adequate healthcare.

Sexual orientation seemed to stump quite a few people. About half of the people moved to the left of the room and the other half to the far right. I initially went to the right, because the way I percieve it, sexual orientation definitely isn't a problem. It's simply a part of someone's biological make-up and he or she shouldn't be treated differently because of it. However, when I noticed there were quite a few people on the left, it occured to me: maybe they are on the other side because they believe that while sexual orientation itself isn't a problem, the inequalities that someone may face because of their orientation is? It then hit me that sexual orientation is in fact a social issue. The issue isn't with orientation itself but rather the discrimination certain people may face in a society.

Lastly, wealth was one that puzzled many of us. People moved to far ends of both sides of the room. I moved left, since I believe the issue of wealth is something affecting society in a large scale manner. Obviously, wealth in itself isn't a bad thing; we wouldn't have access to the numerous luxuries we have in this world without wealth. However, the problem is with the disparity in wealth around the world. There is definitely a problem when Kim Kardashian has millions of dollars to blow on a fairy tale wedding while a three month old boy dies of exposure to cold weather in a refugee camp in Afghanistan. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/09/world/asia/in-grip-of-cold-afghan-family-buries-8th-child.html?_r=1&hp It doesn't seem just that some people in this world are struggling to survive while others have more than they need. Lack of wealth is a social problem, and it is up to us as a society to propagate resources and education in areas of need.

I also enjoyed discussing our frustrations regarding disparities in society. I found Diane's example of the well-being of Austin's tree vs homeless people to be an interesting one, as well as Professor G's about Ben Rothliesberger being let off easier for a more serious crime than Michael Vick for his dog-fighting. As we were on this subject, I thought about an instance that I had actually written about. When I was in high school, I wrote an op-ed about the plight of the Jena Six in Louisiana. To this day, it really irks me how unjustly they were treated. Although the students involved should have recieved some kind of punishment for physically assaulting a classmate, this doesn't excuse the fact that they were given disproportionately harsh charges. It is astounding how the judicial system and school board of Jena seemed to almost overlook the racial tensions leading up to the attack. Administrators were so quick to criticize the students involved in the attack, yet they treated racism toward African-Americans in the school as a non-issue. I find it appalling how someone can be treated so differently simply because of the color of their skin.

Ghana Blog Three: Gender Empowerment

I'm excited to announce that I will be partaking in the Gender Empowerment Service Learning Project in Ghana this summer. I'm fully aware that this is an opportunity of a lifetime and I'm thrilled to bits that I will have a chance to experience Ghanian culture and interact with the Ghanian community in Accra. I'm trying to read as much as I can about the country before I leave in May. Here's a little bit about what I've learned so far about the status of women.

I recently came across an article discussing the Law and Women's Programme (LWP), founded by Ms Mary Ohenewaa Afful in Ghana http://www.modernghana.com/news/334884/1/law-women-programme-promotes-womens-rights.html. Afful initially worked with the Federation of International Women Lawyers where she supported grass roots causes. Her experiences working with underprivileged women inspired her efforts to end discrimination. LWP serves to give a voice to women who have been marginalized in addition to informing them of resources within and outside the government that can help them further their cause. Although there are multiple provisions within the nation's constitution that protect women and children, these laws are often overlooked due to economic barriers, illiteracy, and societal norms. LWP works to bring women together in order to share their struggles and find solutions to their oppression.

Nonetheless, Ghana isn't a society where women don't have any opportunities. As mentioned in the article, the constitution has provisions protecting women and there are women who hold respectable offices and positions. However, there are still many women who don't have access to adequate resources nor an education. I think it is very noble of Afful to recognize the disparity between men and women. Her organization has the potential to change the attitude of Ghanian society while helping women discover their personal worth. By addressing illiteracy as well as percieved gender roles, LWP can help women realize what they can make of themselves. I look to Afful as a role model and hope to emphasize the importance of self-sufficiency and education in the service learning project.

I also read an article about Global Mamas, a non-profit organization encouraging women entrepreneurs in Ghana http://www.modernghana.com/news/247417/1/empowering-women-entrepreneurs-in-ghana.html. This group was founded by two peace corps volunteers in 2003 aiming to help women achieve economic indepence at a grass roots level. Women working for Global Mamas gain an income by selling handicrafted goods, and by doing so, gain respect within their community. This organization encourages fair trade, where the artisans recieve full profit for their work. It also emphasizes sustainability, which benefits the women already working as well as women interested in working. All in all, Global Mamas does a thorough job of harnessing the skills and talents of multiple women while providing them with a sense of empowerment.

As I read about Global Mamas, it hit me that organization that I used to volunteer with actually had a connection with them. I used to be a marketing assistant at the fair trade non-profit Ten Thousand Villages of Austin, and I remember seeing products made by Global Mamas at the store. In fact, I think I actually bought my mom a skirt made by them for her birthday :). It was really interesting to read about the roots of this organization and the success it has achieved over time. The article notes that the Global Mamas network has made $500,000 in global sales throughout North America, Ghana, Europe, and Australia. This is highly beneficial for the women themselves as well as for their family members. By overcoming economic hardship, the women will quite likely attain sufficient funds to send their children to school. It is amazing the role that sustainable development efforts can have a domino effect on the lives of many people.

As I embark upon the Gender Empowerment Project, I hope to help the women learn valuable skills that can make them empowered and self-reliant. After reading about the likes of LWP and Global Mamas, I realize that it is important to emphasize the need for community as I work with the Ghanian women. It seems that by working together toward a cause, the women are able to commiserate as well as motivate one another. I'm looking forward to offering whatever skills I have in the project while learning from the women and seeing what they have to offer.

Social Justice Entry Three: Zinn, Native Americans, and Oppression in the Present

I found Zinn's chapter about early explorers and Native Americans to be fascinating and eye-opening. He is absolutely right when he states that history is taught from the perspective of conquerers, who are made out to be valiant and brave. The Native Americans, however, whether from North America, the Carribean, or South America, are all made out to be incompetent savages. Zinn provides a clear account of the magnitude of violence toward the indigenous groups of America and links it to oppression today. Nonetheless, it does make sense to me how the massacre and abuse of Native Americans is the foundation of subjugation in the United States today.

Coincidentally, I came across this article yesterday pertaining to the plight of people living on Indian reservations today http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/03/us/wind-river-indian-reservation-where-brutality-is-banal.html. As I read, it made very upset to think about how the effects of colonization and violence of Europeans hundreds of years ago continues to plague the remaining Native Americans today. I found some of the statistics I read to be shocking, namely the fact that the unemployment rate in the Wind River reservation in Wyoming is 80% and the average life expectancy is 49 years. Child abuse, teen pregnancy, low high school graduation rates, and infection through chemicals in the water are common problems faced by the 14,000 residents. To top it off, violence and brutal crimes are so rampant that President Obama actually had to end his two-year crime fighting initiative there.

Reading this article instantly made me think back to Zinn's chapter. At one point, he discusses how Columbus and his successors were not coming into an "empty wilderness," but into a well-adjusted society with an intricate culture and strong economy (Zinn, 21). Contrary to popular belief, the Native Americans actually had well-established systems to maintain their lifestyles which were only disrupted when the Europeans came. By taking advantage of their generosity and lack of adequate weaponry, the conquerors wiped out various Indian societies. It is this past exploitation that is contributing to the existence of crime-ridden and economically backward places like Wind River in the present day.

When we discuss marginalized groups, we, as a society, often skip over Native Americans. As a woman of color, I often believe that many ethnic groups deserve more recognition and support, however, my experience of being a "minority" isn't even comparable to those of indigenous Americans. At least people acknowledge the existence of my ethnic group and I have the resources to make something of myself. Imagine living in a society where virtually no one has an education and people are spending their time gambling, drinking, or trying to avoid getting killed. Imagine growing up knowing that your family has lived in poverty for generations and knowing that the situation may never change for you. Zinn's chapter as well as the New York Times article really made me think about the importance of lobbying for marginalized ethnic groups and advocating for their well-being.

Zinn discusses how in a world of victims and executioners, it is the job of the "thinking people" to not be on the side of executioners (Zinn, 10). This doesn't necessarily mean to constantly bemoan the plight of victims but rather to consider the thoughts and feelings of populations we don't hear much about. He provides multiple examples as he talks about wanting to tell stories from the perspective of the Arawaks, southern farmers, blacks in Harlem, etc in order to provide the whole story. History is often told from the perspective of the oppressors, and Zinn offers an alternative as he speaks from the viewpoint of minority groups.

Columbus's statement,"They would make fine servants...With fifty men we could subjugate them and make them do whatever we want," (Zinn,1) reflects an attitude that we have seen among dominant groups around the world for centuries. Whether it is Native Americans, blacks during the time of slavery, the Hutus in Rwanda, Jews during the time of the Holocaust, or the "untouchable" caste in India, oppressed people of different backgrounds are subjugated by a common mentality. The dominant group often prevails for generations, leaving countless minority groups to continue bearing the effects of oppression for years. It makes perfect sense to me why, especially in the case of America, why minorities often have a more difficult time progressing. The further a group has been set back, the harder it is for its members to move forward.

The first step to alleviating the status of marginalized groups is to acknowledge that there is a disparity in the first place. Zinn pinpoints how historian Samuel Morison only briefly acknowledges Columbus's treatment of the Native Americans and then moves on to other issues. He does use the word genocide, however, the fact that he provides a chunk of other information gives the reader the impression that the mass murder of indigenous people wasn't a big deal. I personally agree with Zinn that it is important to provide both sides of history in order to give people an accurate account of what really happened. Maybe if people were to have a genuine understanding of how oppressed groups have been treated they would be able to empathize with them. I truly believe in the saying that knowledge is power, and in order for society to work towards the empowerment of subjugated peoples, it is vital that we are all given the full story.

Ghana Blong Entry Two: Who Am I And Why Do I Want To Go To Ghana?

Merriam-Webster defines culture as "the characteristic features of everyday existence shared by people in a place or time." It's a bit of a struggle for me to define what exactly my personal culture consists of because I consider myself to be a fusion of many different culture groups. I'm an Indian-American with strong ties to India, I'm also a typical American youth, and I have a very diverse group of friends whom I identify with. However, I can pinpoint a few things that represent who I am including my values, what I eat, what I like to do for recreation, the languages I speak, and my belief system.

1) When it comes to values, I'm a person who believes in the importance of caring for others, giving back to society, and striving for equality. Hence, my decision to double major in Social Work was motivated by my passion for social welfare. I've volunteered and interned for a number of organizations whose causes I believe in. Refugees, battered women, rural children in India, and youth in the inner city are some of the populations I've worked with. Since I have a strong interest in empowering underserved communities, and I hope the Ghana Maymester will give me a chance to learn more about social justice. I hope to work in the non-profit sector in the future, particularly with developing nations, and I feel that this program will expose me to the realities of a career in that line of work.

2) In terms of food, let me just say I LOVE trying new cuisines. My favorite cuisines include Mexican, Indian, Asian, and Middle Eastern food. Whenever I travel to a new country, I like trying food that is native to the place. Whether it is crepes in France, paella in Spain, chana masala in India, or tamales in Mexico, I'll eat pretty much anything as long as it looks good and is vegetarian. I've heard that Ghanaian food is spicy, and since I love spicy food I'm looking forward to trying it!

3) I like doing a wide range of things for fun, including listening to music, dancing, going out to eat, shopping, reading, meeting new people, being outside and visiting museums. I'm looking forward to meeting my peers on this trip as well as interacting with the Ghanian people. I'm also looking forward to going to authentic markets in Ghana as well as attending cultural events. Since I have an interest in history and anthropology, I think it will be very interesting and a moving experience to vist Kwame Nkrumah's museum and the Cape Coast Castles. Lastly, I think it will be fascinating to experience the outdoors in Ghana, ranging from the beach and the forests to the different wildlife that inhabit the region.

4) Another important aspect of my personal culture is the languages I speak. In addition to English, I can read, write, and speak in two Indian languages: Hindi and Tamil. India has 26 national languages and hundreds of dialects, and my family speaks two of them. I also studied Spanish for six years and I reached the intermediate level of Arabic here at UT. I have a passion for languages and learning how different people communicate with one another. I understand that while Ghana's official language is French, there are many dialects spoken by people in different parts of the country. I'm interested in seeing how language plays a role in the lives of the Ghanian people and understanding language trends among different groups.

5) The last aspect of culture I will discuss is my belief system. I am a Hindu by birth, and while I believe in many aspects of Hinduism, I also incorporate aspects of Zen Buddhism into my life. Both Hinduism and Zen practice encourage taking care of oneself (hence my interest in yoga), respect for all living beings (reason for my being vegetarian), and acceptance of others. I've always been interested in world religions, as exemplified by the fact that I'm currently taking Religions of the Middle East and The Dead Sea Scrolls. Additionally, I have friends of many different religions, and it is interesting to me how religion plays a role in each person's life. Among other things, I'm interested to see the influence of religion on the lives of the Ghanian people. I learned in my Intro to Modern Africa class that there are a wide range of religions practiced in Ghana, including various sects of Christianity, Islam, and indigenous faiths. I'm looking forward to seeing how these different faiths coexist.

Ultimately, all the aspects of my personal culture influenced my desire to participate in the Ghana Maymester. Throughout my life, I have always been interested in learning about different cultures and analyzing how they are similar or different to my own. I feel that Ghana will have a lot to offer me in terms of personal growth, exposure to a new place, and knowledge of the country's history and background. From a historical and sociological stand point, this program will teach me a great deal.