Lab 13: Global Warming Tickets

SUVs have long been known for their gas-guzzling quality, but unfortunately, this characteristic does not seem to have done anything to discourage consumers from buying them. In the United States, SUVs can be found everywhere, and quite often, I get the feeling that American consumers purchase cars with the "bigger the better" mindset. In this lab, we printed out "Global Warming Violation" tickets and placed them on the windshields of SUVs. The tickets display facts about SUVs' contributions to global warming, and efforts that SUV owners should make to help solve the problem. The purpose of the tickets was to make the SUV owners think about the environment and their contribution to its deterioration. Hopefully the tickets have encouraged the owners to choose a more environmentally friendly car the next time the purchase a vehicle. -Michele

Lab 20: Words of a Different Language

The Crisis in Kenya, and most of Africa for that matter, has been overlooked by most of the world. Its as if the international community is purposely ignoring Africa's many, complex issues for the sake of keeping their "hands" clean. Apathy. Is. Murder. The nation of Kenya is teetering on the brink of a civil war, and the world refuses to take action.

The current president, President Kibaki, allegedly rigged Kenya's 2007 election in favor of his party, and opposition leader, Raila Odinga, claims the victory for himself. Kibaki and Odinga represent the dominant Kikuyu ethnic group and the Luo ethnic group (respectively), so the election issue is much more than a political debate, it is an ethnic conflict as well.

Violence on behalf of the fudged election erupted December 30, 2007 and 1000 people have already been killed. Violent mobs, opposition militia and other forces are wreaking destruction and death that may only contribute to the onset of an official war.

So why hasn't the American public heard about this? Yes, I'll admit it has come up randomly in the news, but I had to do some intense research to back up my own spotty knowledge of the situation.

To open up my eyes and the eyes of others to the troubles going on overlooked in Africa, I decided to learn some words in the Kenyan language of Swahili:


To open our eyes:

Peace= salaam, amani, suluhu, salama

War= kita

Love=penzi

I love you= nimekunoki

Hatred= chuki

Faith= tumaini

Loyalty= bidii

Friendship=urafiki

Diplomacy=hekima

Health=afya

~Chloe

Lab 19 Things that history will show were bad ideas

It is my belief that there are several things in society today that will be regarded as awful parts of the history of our country. It amazes me that people can't see the mistakes of the past and make different choices. An old saying comes to mind "Those who do not know history are doomed to repeat it." Our media is only helping us forget the lessons we have learned form the past, and also they are pushing more and more images in our heads that promotes stereotype and judgment.

For instance, Television has practically produced the image of the "screaming queen" with shows like Queer eye for the straight guy and will and grace. Because of this the homosexual stereotype, people don't take homosexuals seriously anymore. I understand the value of entertainment (I am an actor after all) but at what cost?

Another target of their entertainment industry is the Muslim population. Terrorists running around with machine guns and bombs strapped to their chest screaming "ALALALALALALALALLAAA" are all we think about when we think muslim. We think it's okay just because we are at war with someone (war: another bad idea) that we can disregard their humanity. No. Whether they are muslim, homosexual, Christian, or Hari Krishna they are all humans and we need to understand that we are not the only ones on this planet.

These are the kinds of things that will be regarded as heinous 100 years from now. Look back, the most despicable crimes are the ones the ones that involve making judgments on other people, and oppressing them.

All you need to do is think for yourself and don't let the stereotypes of the media get in your head. We can do it, if only we make the effort. Let's re-write history for the better

-Wells Albritton

Lab 10: No cell phone for 24 hours

I chose to sacrifice my cellphone for 24 hours last week Friday, and it was an enlightening experience. For the whole day I was constantly worried that my parents would try to call me with some emergency, and would be unable to contact me. This caused me a great deal of anxiety and distress. Also, it was a bit of an inconvenience not being able to call my friends before meals. I had to plan my entire day ahead of schedule. Although having to plan ahead wasn't a enormous tragedy, it did shed a great deal of light on the fact that I depend on instant communication way too much. It's pretty pathetic that it causes me anxiety when the possiblity of having to go to meals alone arises.


-Michele

Lab 5: Photo with J-gal aka Jocelyn!

Jocelyn and I have several things in common such as:

-We really enjoy rap and hip-hop, especially Lil Wayne

We hated our junior math class

We were both in the school chorus

We grew up in Boston. I grew up in Southie (South Boston) and she grew up in the Dot (Dorchester)

Public Transportation (Lab 16)

This is my friend Liz and I taking the MBTA (Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority) We are on a double decker train, yay!

I have taken public transportation all my life and have always seen a wide variety of people on the T. It tends to break down like this: The commuter rail is for the rich, white business men/women and teens who live in the suburbs. The T (not the subway, thats a sandwich shop) is for the more lower class to middle class men/women as well as elderly and kids/teens. Really, everyone rides the T if you want to get around Boston. The T bus travels both the outskirts of Boston, as well as the surrounding towns, meaning the bus travels through the rough parts and the wealthy.

In Boston, taking public transportation really isnt a sign of wealth or the lack there of. However, when riding, dont communicate or look at anyone. If someone smiles at you, they want something or they are trying to pick you up.