When do words become an insult?
Last week I was waiting for the bus at the school bus station and heard someone say, "He was wearing mascara. He must be gay." The phrase was filled with hatred and ignorance. What if it was because he had a costume party the night before? The person might have said it subconsciously, but how would you feel if someone talked about you in a stereotypical terminology?
Another comment that made me uneasy was when I was watching a program hosted by an African-American man with my friend. Since I found him attractive, I said, "He's somewhat attractive." Then my friend said, "He's too black for you." So I immediately responded, "I didn't know that you are a racist." He replied, "I'm not." I was angry; and I was in complete shock at a loss for words. Because I'm of mixed heritage myself being Indian and Japanese, comments like these cut me like a knife. What's more unfortunate is that he himself didn't recognize his racial comments.
Regardless of what comes to our mind, we should think twice before we speak. Because even if there are no intention to harm others, words or comments can be hurtful and unpleasant. Having a poor impression on others happens to anyone, but there needs to be a courtesy among people. With the rise of negative perception about Islam and Muslims in the United States, the ignorance has overwhelmingly distorting the image of them and has become widespread.
I met a student from Afghanistan who received an aggravating expression at school in Portland. One day while he was praying in class, his female classmate talked to him, but he couldn't talk back to her. Later he apologized her for not responding. Then she asked him why, so he explained to her that he was a Muslim and was praying for God. Her initial reaction was, "Muslim? Oh, terrorists!"
Similarly, I was talking to my friend who is from Pakistan, and he shared a story about his racial experience when he first moved to Corvallis. A man who my friend didn't know, asked him where he was from curiously. After my friend answered the man, he said, "Oh, so are you a terrorist?" in a serious tone of voice. I was surprised by the fact that even in diversified city Corvallis, there are people like this man. (Perhaps the man was from a different city.) I didn't want to believe that this happened in Corvallis, but regrettably, this kind of incident happens anywhere.
Even so why don't we once again put ourselves into other's shoes and think about what it's like to be misunderstood, pre-judged and classified from those who don't know you well? How ignorant would it be to categorize someone at first sight? Words like gay, stupid and retarded may be used casually and without no intention to offend others. However, once those words leave your mouth, they'll remain in others' minds and hearts eternally.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Friday, October 29, 2010
Diversity is Unity
The speaker was in full of enthusiasm and motivation. Toni Klohk, the Diversity Achievement Center Coordinator gave a speech about her job description as well as how the organization works.
"It's about dialogue and diversity." Its objectives are to help students meet each other, promote understanding on campus and provide students to experience diversity that will broaden their mind, perspectives and horizons. The DAC as she calls set up events that are involved with social and cultural issues such as bullying, and LGBT to raise awareness of students. "It's a safe place to dialogue. We talk about race, politics and gender. The point of matter is to agree to disagree and open the dialogue." Toni enjoys learning from students every day by interacting. She repeatedly said words such as dialogue, accepting, embrace and experience. She emphasized that students are important to connect with each other identifying themselves. She also hopes to get as many students as possible getting involved at the DAC.
The DAC also is responsible for Student life leadership program. Currently, 6 students are working at the DAC with no faculty. Toni wishes students to organize driven programming and wishes for their participation. She says that all the students and all student leaders are important.
The upcoming events will be on Nov. 9 teaching the difference between the UK and America. The other event will be Flutes workshop sponsored by Native American Student Union on the second week of November. The importance of Native American culture will be focused in tribute to National Heritage Month.
The organization is located on the second floor of Forum building F-220 which is next to the Commuter, open Monday through Friday from 9 am to 3 pm. The place welcomes any students providing couches, lunch, computers, music and games.
What: Diversity Achievement Center
Where: Forum building F-220
Hours: Monday-Friday 9am-3pm
Contact: Toni Klohk DAC Coordinator
E-mail: dac@linbenton.edu
Office Number: 541-917-4461 (available everyday until 3pm)
DAC Website
DAC on Facebook
E-mail
"It's about dialogue and diversity." Its objectives are to help students meet each other, promote understanding on campus and provide students to experience diversity that will broaden their mind, perspectives and horizons. The DAC as she calls set up events that are involved with social and cultural issues such as bullying, and LGBT to raise awareness of students. "It's a safe place to dialogue. We talk about race, politics and gender. The point of matter is to agree to disagree and open the dialogue." Toni enjoys learning from students every day by interacting. She repeatedly said words such as dialogue, accepting, embrace and experience. She emphasized that students are important to connect with each other identifying themselves. She also hopes to get as many students as possible getting involved at the DAC.
The DAC also is responsible for Student life leadership program. Currently, 6 students are working at the DAC with no faculty. Toni wishes students to organize driven programming and wishes for their participation. She says that all the students and all student leaders are important.
The upcoming events will be on Nov. 9 teaching the difference between the UK and America. The other event will be Flutes workshop sponsored by Native American Student Union on the second week of November. The importance of Native American culture will be focused in tribute to National Heritage Month.
The organization is located on the second floor of Forum building F-220 which is next to the Commuter, open Monday through Friday from 9 am to 3 pm. The place welcomes any students providing couches, lunch, computers, music and games.
What: Diversity Achievement Center
Where: Forum building F-220
Hours: Monday-Friday 9am-3pm
Contact: Toni Klohk DAC Coordinator
E-mail: dac@linbenton.edu
Office Number: 541-917-4461 (available everyday until 3pm)
DAC Website
DAC on Facebook
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Japanese Students Association
The room was almost filled with Japanese students including a few American students who came to the second time of this year's JSA (Japanese Students Association) meeting.
JSA was formed a few years ago for Japanese students who study at OSU, and anyone who is interested in their activities. It sets up events that introduce Japanese culture and give an opportunity for students to meet with both American and non-American students. Since Japanese students have a tendency to surround themselves only with other Japanese, the association encourages them to connect with native speakers.
The meeting took place at the third floor of Memorial Union at OSU. About 35 participants were students at both OSU and LBCC."The main goal for us this year is to success in J-night and make it as close as Japanese festivals are." said Taro Nakano who's been the president of JSA since last month. The president, the vice president, the secretary, an accountant and the volunteer coordinator sat up front to lead the meeting. It started it with the president's greeting looking excited to see participants.
The president made an announcement of J-night which will take place in May of 2011. "This event is going to be the biggest event that JSA will set up", the president Taro Nakano stated enthusiastically. Then he explained a brief description of event and the future events in both Japanese and English. According to the president, J-night focuses on showing Japanese culture and tradition to people in Corvallis performing dance, food, art, music and teaching history. Since last year's J-night went successfully, members hope to launch another J-night that will inspire as many people as possible.
Subsequently, the vice president asked the members for any suggestions or ideas of events they want to plan. The members seemed to hesitate to speak up. After a few minutes of silence, one of the member suggested playing football, doing ice cream party and potluck. Meanwhile the president added that they will have a football game with the team of Korean students. Another accomplishment is to help students get involved with meeting each other including international students.
"We'll also make this club a sponsored organization." They also planned to make T-shirts for this year offering the design of T-shirts.The other member hopes to get involved with Japanese embassy in Portland so that students will have opportunities for possible employment.
The secretary Leesa Viveiros is also excited. She wants to spread Japanese culture to everyone in Corvallis and tries to help Japanese students experience diversity, meet other people and express who they are instead of being together only with other Japanese.
They have a conversation partner activity which students converse with American students who are learning Japanese. Meeting once a week with an hour practice is the expectation of activity. It benefits both students to improve language skills of their own.
There are 200 members including Hawaiians, and the meeting is every Monday from 5:30 p.m to 6:30p.m at Memorial Union at OSU. The place changes every week.
The first event for this year will be Pumpkin Carving this Thursday night.
What: The meeting for JSA (Japanese Students Association at OSU)
When: Every Monday from 5:30pm to 6:30 pm
Where: Memorial Union at OSU ( The room depends)
Contact: President Taro Nakano
E-mail: japanesestudentassociation@oregonstate.edu
JSA Official Website
OSU website
Facebook
J-Night
J-Night 2008
JSA was formed a few years ago for Japanese students who study at OSU, and anyone who is interested in their activities. It sets up events that introduce Japanese culture and give an opportunity for students to meet with both American and non-American students. Since Japanese students have a tendency to surround themselves only with other Japanese, the association encourages them to connect with native speakers.
The meeting took place at the third floor of Memorial Union at OSU. About 35 participants were students at both OSU and LBCC."The main goal for us this year is to success in J-night and make it as close as Japanese festivals are." said Taro Nakano who's been the president of JSA since last month. The president, the vice president, the secretary, an accountant and the volunteer coordinator sat up front to lead the meeting. It started it with the president's greeting looking excited to see participants.
The president made an announcement of J-night which will take place in May of 2011. "This event is going to be the biggest event that JSA will set up", the president Taro Nakano stated enthusiastically. Then he explained a brief description of event and the future events in both Japanese and English. According to the president, J-night focuses on showing Japanese culture and tradition to people in Corvallis performing dance, food, art, music and teaching history. Since last year's J-night went successfully, members hope to launch another J-night that will inspire as many people as possible.
Subsequently, the vice president asked the members for any suggestions or ideas of events they want to plan. The members seemed to hesitate to speak up. After a few minutes of silence, one of the member suggested playing football, doing ice cream party and potluck. Meanwhile the president added that they will have a football game with the team of Korean students. Another accomplishment is to help students get involved with meeting each other including international students.
"We'll also make this club a sponsored organization." They also planned to make T-shirts for this year offering the design of T-shirts.The other member hopes to get involved with Japanese embassy in Portland so that students will have opportunities for possible employment.
The secretary Leesa Viveiros is also excited. She wants to spread Japanese culture to everyone in Corvallis and tries to help Japanese students experience diversity, meet other people and express who they are instead of being together only with other Japanese.
They have a conversation partner activity which students converse with American students who are learning Japanese. Meeting once a week with an hour practice is the expectation of activity. It benefits both students to improve language skills of their own.
There are 200 members including Hawaiians, and the meeting is every Monday from 5:30 p.m to 6:30p.m at Memorial Union at OSU. The place changes every week.
The first event for this year will be Pumpkin Carving this Thursday night.
What: The meeting for JSA (Japanese Students Association at OSU)
When: Every Monday from 5:30pm to 6:30 pm
Where: Memorial Union at OSU ( The room depends)
Contact: President Taro Nakano
E-mail: japanesestudentassociation@oregonstate.edu
JSA Official Website
OSU website
J-Night
J-Night 2008
Friday, October 22, 2010
DAC
The Diversity Achievement Center provides a place where anyone feels comfortable regardless of their social and cultural backgrounds.
"DAC is my second home. I always go there even if it's not my shift. I just go there to meet friends and relax." says Verna Raymundo, who is currently a student and also a worker at the DAC.
. Their main goal is to engage students to diversity by providing resources, linking students to college resources, to community and campus resources. Students can borrow DVD and books, play games, use computers, sleep on couches, bring their lunch and hang out with other students. Anyone is welcome especially if they are interested in learning diversity.
Toni Klohk, the coordinator of DAC feels strongly about educating diversity to students. She also hopes the DAC to be a place where students can come in to connect with stuff members and students. "I talked to students and ask them how they are doing." Tony enjoys interacting with students and makes sure there is always inclusiveness.
Another appealing characteristic of the DAC is the Student Leadership Program that they actively promote. When the DAC was used to be the Multicultural Center a few years ago, students worked only as receptionists, but students are now getting involved as leaders and present awareness on campus taking initiative actions. The learning outcome for the students' leadership is to prepare them to live and work in the diverse world. Also this intention is for students to take initiative to create and coordinate diversity awareness events such as social justice events involved with racism, sexism, immigration and generic issues.
Tony wishes the DAC to be well known, well organized and connect with students to be a leader bringing the meaning of diversity. As Tony says, "Educating diversity is about opening people's mind and expanding their experiences."
What: Diversity Acheivement Center (DAC)
When: Monday-Friday 9-3pm
Where: F-220 (Forum building)
Contact: Toni Klohk (DAC Coordinator)
DAC Website
Facebook
E-mail
"DAC is my second home. I always go there even if it's not my shift. I just go there to meet friends and relax." says Verna Raymundo, who is currently a student and also a worker at the DAC.
. Their main goal is to engage students to diversity by providing resources, linking students to college resources, to community and campus resources. Students can borrow DVD and books, play games, use computers, sleep on couches, bring their lunch and hang out with other students. Anyone is welcome especially if they are interested in learning diversity.
Toni Klohk, the coordinator of DAC feels strongly about educating diversity to students. She also hopes the DAC to be a place where students can come in to connect with stuff members and students. "I talked to students and ask them how they are doing." Tony enjoys interacting with students and makes sure there is always inclusiveness.
Another appealing characteristic of the DAC is the Student Leadership Program that they actively promote. When the DAC was used to be the Multicultural Center a few years ago, students worked only as receptionists, but students are now getting involved as leaders and present awareness on campus taking initiative actions. The learning outcome for the students' leadership is to prepare them to live and work in the diverse world. Also this intention is for students to take initiative to create and coordinate diversity awareness events such as social justice events involved with racism, sexism, immigration and generic issues.
Tony wishes the DAC to be well known, well organized and connect with students to be a leader bringing the meaning of diversity. As Tony says, "Educating diversity is about opening people's mind and expanding their experiences."
What: Diversity Acheivement Center (DAC)
When: Monday-Friday 9-3pm
Where: F-220 (Forum building)
Contact: Toni Klohk (DAC Coordinator)
DAC Website
Friday, October 15, 2010
Things that journalists should never do
First of all, journalist should be skeptical but not cynical. Keep asking questions so that it gives us the motivation to look further into the story. Relationship should be based on trust, but in terms of journalism, skepticism is the core of investigating stories and is the basis for interrogating.
As a journalist, everyone is a source and is where the ideas for the stories come from. However, don't focus on single person but multiples. To obtain juicy details, we should ask as many people as possible. Moreover, always be willing to listen and stay open minded. We are not in a position to manipulate the story, but to report as accurately as we can.
Last of all, even if the story once gets published, don't let it be the end. It's never done. Ask the readers about the story. Getting some feedback can brush up writing skills and can be good tips to wirte the next story.
http://www.poynter.org/column.asp?id=101&aid=173225
http://www.nytco.com/press/ethics.html
As a journalist, everyone is a source and is where the ideas for the stories come from. However, don't focus on single person but multiples. To obtain juicy details, we should ask as many people as possible. Moreover, always be willing to listen and stay open minded. We are not in a position to manipulate the story, but to report as accurately as we can.
Last of all, even if the story once gets published, don't let it be the end. It's never done. Ask the readers about the story. Getting some feedback can brush up writing skills and can be good tips to wirte the next story.
http://www.poynter.org/column.asp?id=101&aid=173225
http://www.nytco.com/press/ethics.html
Monday, October 11, 2010
The next story
I'd like to write a story about Gay/Lesbian alliance club since I couldn't choose it for the first story and I'm interested in their activities and want to give both myself and others awareness of sexuality issues.
3 questions I want to ask are below.
1. What are the club's aims and what the club want others to acknowledge about sexuality?
2. What is the most fascinating about the club?
3. What is the most successful event they held recently?
Following are 3 sources I'd like to use.
1. The club adviser
2. The club member
3. The club member's friend (or the club website)
3 questions I want to ask are below.
1. What are the club's aims and what the club want others to acknowledge about sexuality?
2. What is the most fascinating about the club?
3. What is the most successful event they held recently?
Following are 3 sources I'd like to use.
1. The club adviser
2. The club member
3. The club member's friend (or the club website)
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Democracy in Action
Although the phrase "Democracy" automatically brings us a notion of democrats, the club Democracy in Action is not only for democrats.
The club welcomes both parties of either republicans or democrats, and the purpose is to get as many political views as they can. Instead of taking sides, they share their views on certain issues and discuss their own perspectives about political and historical subjects. "It's about getting students politically involved and having them to be registered to vote.", says Dr. Robert Harrison, who started the club in 2007. Another goal is to make students be aware of the global political issues. There are 7-8 members who are currently students; however, the club welcomes anyone besides students.
The club also provides engaging events that are open to any students. The most successful event was the trip to the President Barack Obama's inauguration in 2008. 3 members participated having been inspired by the newly elected President's speech. They were as excited as other audience. "It was the coldest trip we've ever had, but the most crowded trip."
This year's annual trip will take place in Egypt. It is offered to anyone who is interested. As Dr. Robert Harrison said, “Traveling is important to learn more about politics and democracy. Democracy is about traveling and studying about the past."It won't be just a vacation but also will be the trip of a lifetime exploring the beauty of civilization as well as the history of ancient country.
Other events are hosting guest speakers and fund raising. Liberty Tree Fair in May of 2011 which will have political parties and activists sharing the thoughts with students. It will be the 4th one to be held on.
The first club meeting of this year was conducted on October. 6th, at 4 p.m. at the Library Conference Room. There is no official club meeting; however, club members are considering weekly meeting on Thursday this term.
Democracy in Action
What: Open to all students including non-students having registered to vote and getting involved politically.
When: Thursday at 4 pm(not every week)
Where: Library conference room
Contact: Dr. Robert Harrison
E-mail: harrisr@linnbenton.edu
Office Phone Number: 541-917-4517
Club website
Advisor's website
Advisor's e-mail address
The club welcomes both parties of either republicans or democrats, and the purpose is to get as many political views as they can. Instead of taking sides, they share their views on certain issues and discuss their own perspectives about political and historical subjects. "It's about getting students politically involved and having them to be registered to vote.", says Dr. Robert Harrison, who started the club in 2007. Another goal is to make students be aware of the global political issues. There are 7-8 members who are currently students; however, the club welcomes anyone besides students.
The club also provides engaging events that are open to any students. The most successful event was the trip to the President Barack Obama's inauguration in 2008. 3 members participated having been inspired by the newly elected President's speech. They were as excited as other audience. "It was the coldest trip we've ever had, but the most crowded trip."
This year's annual trip will take place in Egypt. It is offered to anyone who is interested. As Dr. Robert Harrison said, “Traveling is important to learn more about politics and democracy. Democracy is about traveling and studying about the past."It won't be just a vacation but also will be the trip of a lifetime exploring the beauty of civilization as well as the history of ancient country.
Other events are hosting guest speakers and fund raising. Liberty Tree Fair in May of 2011 which will have political parties and activists sharing the thoughts with students. It will be the 4th one to be held on.
The first club meeting of this year was conducted on October. 6th, at 4 p.m. at the Library Conference Room. There is no official club meeting; however, club members are considering weekly meeting on Thursday this term.
Democracy in Action
What: Open to all students including non-students having registered to vote and getting involved politically.
When: Thursday at 4 pm(not every week)
Where: Library conference room
Contact: Dr. Robert Harrison
E-mail: harrisr@linnbenton.edu
Office Phone Number: 541-917-4517
Club website
Advisor's website
Advisor's e-mail address
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