#hellohumanrights

As you have probably heard, Target recently updated their company policy on bathroom usage to be trans-inclusive. To those promoting the social media campaign against this, I say:

If you don’t like Target’s bathroom policy, then don’t use their bathroom.
No one is trying to make you!

But, don’t try to restrict other people’s right to use a bathroom where they feel comfortable.

You are overly privileged to live in a country and world that has considered it a right for you to be comfortable. This socio-cultural phenomenon is called heteronormativity.

When you experience a tiny discomfort you expect the rest of the world to fight for what is your gendered privilege.

What if you were on the other side?

What if society existed in such a way where you were never comfortable to use a public restroom because of your gender identity. Stop being so selfish!

Don’t say ‪#‎byetarget‬ or ‪#‎boycotttarget‬ Say ‪#‎HelloHumanRights‬

Relieve Finals Week Stress…

So, it’s finals week.

If you are anything like me, you are driving yourself crazy; finishing up stuff that you know you shouldn’t have put off; eating poorly; and avoiding sleep.

There are a variety of different stress relief methods which I have found to be effective to varying degrees. While some have been much less helpful to me, one has been exceedingly beneficial in helping me maintain my sanity during this high stress time of year.

I thought that this would be a prime opportunity for me to share one of the stress relievers that has been most helpful, in my experience…

Meditation.

The Mayo Clinic has published this guide to meditation on their website which clearly and succinctly explains what meditation is, several different types of meditation, and a step by step guide to the process and improving meditation skills. Follow these helpful tips and remember, we will get through this and be better equipped for it.

I hope that you find it useful.

What do you think?
Tell me in the comments section below.

Protect Your Data!

We  increasingly hear stories about government agencies falling prey to cyber (or direct) attacks and our data unintentionally getting into the hands of those willing to steal our identity or money for their own benefit.

It is also a prevalent trend in the political sphere that the government wishes to reel in our cyber freedoms. This seems to be mostly based in fear and a sense of being out of control.

I value my cyber freedoms and I believe that I am best suited to ensure them.

However, I would argue that the government shouldn’t even consider expanding the collection of our data or attempt to control our online interactions until they figure out how to protect the data they collect. The role of government ought to be to protect the constituency. Unfortunately, this hasn’t been happening. Rather, politicians have seemed, in recent years, more concerned with holding their seat from election cycle to election cycle.

If you care about this issue you should contact your policy makers to tell them about it.

In Minnesota you can find out who your representatives are by conducting a search on the state’s legislative website.

What do you think?
Tall me in the comment section below.

LGBT Internment Camps in Our Future?

On April 28^th, 2016 The Washington Times posted an article on their website entitled “Gay Census a mixed bag for LGBT people”.

First of all, in regard to the title, I take issue with the differentiation between gay people and frankly… people. It is easy to differentiate ourselves based on labels and while fighting for a cause, one can also easily envelop themselves in that differentiation. This is an inherent flaw in our (English) lingual system. This discussion on labels, however, is for another post, on another day.

The first sentence of this post reads: “Lawmakers want the U.S. Census Bureau to start counting gay people — but not all gay people are convinced they want to be counted”.

Why might that be? Perhaps history tells us that this is dangerous territory. Predominantly White led America has historically and continues to segregate Aboriginal Tribes people for their land and other resources; during World War Two America placed over 127 thousand people of Japanese descent into internment camps; after kidnapping them from their homes in Africa, taking them across the world to unknown land, and enslaving them for years, America proceeded to develop a transit infrastructure system that was and is racially segregating America. These are only a few of the blatant segregating acts of the U.S. government.

All this is to say, that these fears of registering as gay, are founded!

What assurances do people have that this won’t happen to them?

I further take issue with current policy of the census. What business does the census bureau have knowing what your genitalia is? I personally don’t think what you have in your pants is any of their business. But, the government wants to take it a step further. They also wish to know what genitalia you prefer. This is an issue of rights to privacy.

On the one hand, I think that America is obsessive in its over sexualization of nudity. On the other hand, it is also each person’s right to choose who knows about their genitals.

This movement is being “touted … as a way to address more effectively the needs of the LGBT community” by proponents. While I can see ways that this could benefit the public, I also recognize that once people give this information up they lose all control over how it is used. In the era we live with widespread concerns over data privacy and constant attack of those systems, anyone with Malevolent intentions could access those data. This poses a concern for all Americans.

Another valid point is that, those who come out as LGB and/or T are a self-selecting group. Many people simply will not come out, even in the face of a government mandate. Expecting them to do so is not only inconsiderate and unfair, it’s flat foolish and ignorant.

This article did mention some possible positive outcomes that could come of this in the forms of legitimization and inclusion. While important, it seems that the overarching issues of government meddling; propensity for inaccuracy in the data; and security risks shadow any potential benefits and do not create a justified foundation for this movement.

What do you think?
Tell me in the comment section below.

Cyborg Nation

For some time, the focus of education has been squarely on collecting the skills required to obtain a job. I think that this lacks vision and is dismally underserving society. How can we expect our education system to be effective, when that system cannot agree on what the purpose is?

Yes, it is important for students to have core skills. It makes sense to have a focus on STEM education (science, technology, engineering, and math). Especially, when that is where we predict the greatest growth potential for future jobs exists. We do want students to get and retain quality jobs. But, I would argue that if the purpose of education is only to get a job, then we end up with members of society who settle for the standard set for them.

What is the true purpose of education?

This has changed over time.

It is my opinion that education is a civic duty.

We need societal members who challenge the status quo, who think critically about our world’s problems, and are equipped to solve them. Not people who can just work a job.

Every person in an institution ought to be well versed in ethics and their individual responsibility. Each should question what they are told and understand the implications of the choices they make. If the purpose of education were only to get a job, it would seem that all that society wants us to be is cyborgs. Human, but just robotic enough to not cause trouble. But, trouble (something that instigates change) is what we need! We need people who are willing to challenge the way that things are in an effort to make them better for
everyone.

Because the way that things are isn’t sustainable!

Education develops individuals into contributing members of society who are equipped with the tools necessary to make life better for themselves and others. Ultimately, those who are educated can give back.

Educated individuals should give back through payment of taxes, contributing to lawmaking and the legislative processes, and returning to the education system as teachers, and as mentors to those newly entering the work force. This is how societies progress… But, it can happen outside of the institution(s).

While jobs are a necessary component of this process – without which the process fails – acquisition of the job is not the end of one’s line.

We learn… We grow… We progress… We give back.

This ought to be considered in the pedagogical and andragogical models of education.

To those who have received, it is your duty to society to give back.

This passing on of knowledge to future generations is what will cause us to progress forward or fall behind as a society. It is each of our responsibilities to learn as much as we can, so that we are well equipped to give back.

What do you think?
Tell me in the comment section below.

Taking Charge of YOUR Education!

As Students of Metropolitan State University, we share a common interest in our educational goals. MnSCU (Minnesota State Colleges & Universities) is the State organization which assesses and allocates funds to each Minnesota college and university. They also oversee the policy and operations of the public four-year and two-year higher education institutions in Minnesota.

The good news is that as students we have advocates working on our behalf to encourage policy makers – at both the state and federal level – to improve legislation and funds allocations to benefit students and lower the costs of attendance and associated living expenses. This advocacy influences the operations of MnSCU; therefore, each individual institution of higher learning; and subsequently you!

Students attending one of the twenty-four public two-year colleges in Minnesota are represented by MSCSA – the Minnesota State College Student Association.

At the four-year public Universities in Minnesota, students are represented by MSUSA – the Minnesota State University Student Association.

Both of these groups are non-profits who by law are entitled to collect a fee from all students to fund their advocacy work. MSCSA collects $0.35 per credit hour. MSUSA collects $0.43 per credit hour.

These fees are automatically calculated into our costs of attendance paid to the school. Therefore, it is critical that we utilize the resources that we are paying for.

Now, I know as students we typically hate paying for anything additional that we can imagine doing without. These fees are worth every penny! They are directly related to the tuition freeze that we currently have in Minnesota. As an alumnus of MSCSA, I can speak to the hard work and dedicated effort with which numerous students volunteer and the time and dedication the staff apply to train students in leadership and advocacy. I worked first hand as the elected platform representative of the seven colleges in North Western Minnesota to develop a platform for the association which represented the views and needs of that demographic.

Only you can ensure that you are represented well.

Each college and university sends delegates from each institution through their student government organization, to represent their school. Here at Metro State, we are represented by a diverse group of students who should be working to represent you. You have the right to attend the public meetings and speak to your student representatives about the issues that are important to you and your experience as a student at Metro.

I encourage you to do so!

Here is how:
You can contact Metro State’s Student Senate Here.
You can also find out when to attend Student Senate meetings Here.

 

What do you think?
Tell me in the comment section below.

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