Problem Solving on the Rez

Featured Podcast by Mahalia Damm. Photo courtesy of NativeAmericanRights.wordpress.com.

The Disappearing Culture

Featured Podcast by Iain Demay. Photo courtesy of Cultures Insider

Nate Stephensons' Reservation Plan

Featured Podcast by Nations Stephensons. Photo courtesy of NewsforNatives.com.

Culture

Featured Podcast TBA. Photo courtesy of PV Magazine.

Social Justice

Featured Podcast TBA. Photo courtesy of Care2 News Network.

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Social Justice Final prooject poem

Abuse

I sit here alone
Surrounded by walls
No where to go
Nobody to call

Daddy is angry
He yells at me
Says means words and it really hurts.
He saids its my fault.
"I'm sorry",  I shout
But it is no help
Daddy hits and hits, he's trying to knock me out.
There is no mercy
He strikes again and agian
Am I really to blame for it all?

Grandma asks about my bruises
The Truth is unspoken, its the Lies I tell
I wouldn't dare say about the abuses
Daddy say's he'll kill me if I tell

Dad leaves to the bar
I thought one day it will stop
But I realize it has only begun
and that's when I run
I'm done, Im done !
Daddy doesn't love me
It's easy to tell

Why cant he just let me be
I've had enough its time for me to say farewell
I run to grandmas
and now I've gotten the courage to tell.
I tell grandma everything and she saids it'll be okay
I'm safe now and Daddy was sent away.
My grandma loves me I can tell.
No more abuse
No more fear
The awful words, I don't have to hear.
I feel free.

-Tenzin Jampa





 

Equal Schools Issue Essay/Spoken Word

Some kids in mpls live within a few minutes driving distance, but live drastically different lives. Many suburban schools are mistaken for private schools by students for the schools' sheer size and wealth. Some suburban schools I have visited have been described as looking like an art museum by other visiting students. While all the public inner city schools simply struggle to make ends meet. This disparity is caused by the fact that schools acquire more money if they are in a richer neighborhoods. This system needs to be changed. Kids shouldn't have fewer opportunities because of where they live. I propose first that all public schools should have a minimum amount of money that is given to them regardless of any other factors if this doesn't already exist. Second schools should be given more money the more students the schools have. This will encourage the schools to improve and to use the same amount of money per student as other schools. This change will also get rid of the drastic disparities of public schools today. In order to make real change in this problem people need to make this a common topic and more of an issue. Another thing you can do to help it to write MN's politicians in mass quantities in order to get attention. Hopefully this change will happen one day and works so that kids can go to equal schools all throughout the state.

Pine Ridge Reservation's Alcohol Problem

Some may say that America is out of the recession. Some may also say that America’s turning into a third world country. To confirm both of these fears, you can look to Pine Ridge Reservation. Pine Ridge Reservation has two major problems: alcoholism and poverty. These two go hand in hand. If Pine Ridge’s residents weren’t drowning in poverty, and if they had jobs, you could lower the poverty level and number of alcoholics.

Pine Ridge’s widespread poverty and alcohol abuse doesn’t just affect immediate impoverished families or alcoholics. It affects everyone on the reservation. Whether it’s family outside the reservation, or the people living on and near the reservation.

The biggest challenges people on the reservation face is the fact that many live in poverty and have no job. So, they really don’t have an incentive to do anything productive with their life. Plus, alcohol, a way to get away momentarily from their problems, is readily accessible.

 
However, all hope is not lost. There is the chance to create jobs for people, and to provide them with job training. By providing jobs and job training, you can give the people the incentive to work as well as well as lowering the poverty level. Thus, you’re in a sense killing two birds with one stone.

Monday, June 4, 2012

SJ     The search for equality in today's society goes on and on, but it'll never get solved. People get pushed, pulled, and shoved, but for what? Because one of your fingers is shorter than mine, Everybody has different traits, and things, so people should stop hatin because of 1 or 2 different traits. Town it down, to the point where you don't even cause the tiniest frown. You don't have to be friends. You don't have to be friends. Everyone should feel cleansed of all need to push, pull, and shove.                                                                                                  -Neal Delau

Homophobia

Love is love is love,
regardless of what type of love it is. 
Unfortunately homophobic bigots can't see this.

With being bullied day by day,
thrown out by families like trash, 
and having government take your rights away,
It's no wonder why people give up.

Without a support system,
where do you go?
Without acceptance,
how do you fix the problem?

To fix the problem,
we have to rise up.
Fight for our rights to marriage. 

Educate the public about homophobia,
why it's wrong and unjustified,
and show the consequences of using the government
and religion to bully and take away the rights of homosexuals
or their supporters.

Once this all happens,
hopefully homosexuals will enjoy the same rights
their heterosexual counterparts enjoy.

War by Gabe Markworth



Podcast: A social justice poem about war.

Cruel World by Cameron Tripp

“Cruel World”
One day I was walkin down the street, mindin my own business, then outta nowhere I saw a man dazed and confused stumblin on the side of the street in the Bronx. I came up to im’and there he was as stiff as a board.
I asked him “What the hell happened to you?”
He just looked at me and this is what he said,
“Oh lord, Ain’t no rest for the wicked, got me spendin money, threw it all to hell. But, I got bills to pay, I got mouths to feed. And ain’t nothin in this world for free.”

Just a few hours later I was gettin outta the bank. Money in my pocket, filled with lovely dollar bills.
A strange man walks up to me demandin my money armed to the teeth. Man oh man what a buzz kill. The expression on his face said it all, “Give me all you’re money, if you make a move I won’t think twice!”
But I had ta ask...
“What made you want to live this kind of life?”
He took off his mask and this is what he said.
“Ain’t no rest for the wicked, money don’t grow on trees, I got bills to pay, I got mouths to feed and Ain’t nothin in this world for free yo.” Scared and beggin for my life “Why me?” I says.
“Defensless makes a vulnerable victim”
“Keep yourself packed with heat, I don’t need to be discrete.” Just as I was bout’ to hand im the cash he took off without a sound!”

A couple hours later when the day was winding down and comin to an end. I’m sittin in my chair at home turned on the T.V still dazed n’ confused and what I saw I almost couldn’t comprehend.

You see, the governor lookin black n’ blue with his hands in cuffs with a coat over his head. Caught stashin his bag with righteous dollar bills... Doin so, made the people wonder why he seeks such unsatisfatory thrills. The reporter on scene kept ramblin about.

And at that time the governor’s just cleared out his bank account.

“Ain’t no rest for the wicked,
No money don’t grow on trees I’ve got bills to pay, I got mouths to feed and ain’t nothin in this world for free. No I can’t give up I can’t back down although you know I wish I could. No ain’t no rest for the wicked. Until we close our eyes for good...”

Social Justice Poem on Hunger: Siri Neseth

Hunger is fear, Like the monster under your bed, Like the pitch black darkness, Like the begining of a storm, Like the depths of the ocean, Hunger is pain, Like the sharp point of a thorn, Like the tears that fall from death, Like the break of a bone, Hunger is struggle, Like the fight to cure cancer, Like the day you learn to ride a bike, Like the pressure to run a household, Like the fight to win, Hunger is unbelieveable, Like the thought of space, Like the unsolved mistery, If you havent experienced the fear, pain, and struggle, of hunger, You will never imagine the feeling. Hunger can be awareness, Spreading the word, Informing people, Showing them how they can help.

Final blog project: poem about marijuana criminalzation

If you're in a great deal of pain or need why should you refrain from weed because within the law there is a flaw that says possessing dope is a big huge nope cancer patients have no way to cope some people cant get there own appetite some people just don't feel right others can't fall asleep insomnia, or terrors about a creep is there a way this could all be solved one quick healthy way to make it all resolve with no side effects or artificial feelings we should legalize marijuana dealings for all the people there's an easy way to make them feel happy, so I gotta say to all politicians, just legalize pot and America's problems will be forgot

The Gap, of Achievement

The Achievement Gap By Niklas Curle Within the schools there is a gap the gap is large, the gap is evident, and the gap is all-affecting Climbers of these gaps, the students, vary in their successes some start at the bottom, others begin part of the way up many struggle with large burdens they must carry on their journey weighed down by the stress of tests, bad teachers, lack of funding, and a lack of a Head Start inevitably, these climbers fall behind along with curriculum that simply is out of their grasp, a disconnect forms between the climbers and their teachers, a flat portion of the gap impossible to pass But then the other character of climber The one that has uncovered his or her interests and uses them As a tool to scale the wall with ease, with the support of a thousand Quiet voices, silent but cheering, cheering them on until the top Through the power of political clout and hope These climbers make it These determined scalers see their struggling sidekicks and offer them advice Stay true to your closest interests, form handholds on the rock Get teachers to develop interesting curricula, one that interests all Tell your supporters to channel their passion into lobbying and supporting the schools that follow the climbers suggestions It is a hard journey, but somebody has to fix it

Cycles of Poverty by Shira Breen

The cycle of discriminatin
is taking over the nation.
Red-lining, homelessness, hunger, and pain,
Is there really anything to gain?
A sense of security, the pursuit of happiness,
The country is losing of its classiness.
Unjust systems closing doors
To the weak, the different, the unknown, and the poor.
Laws washing away the dreams of tomorrow,
There is no more money to borrow.
As hunger and poverty spread everywhere,
The rich drink champagne and put gel in their hair.
Wealthy children flunk their classes
While those without options see through different glasses
Depression, alcoholism, and suicide rates grow,
And the country’s education levels begin to slow
The cycle continues to affect us all,
Will we let it make us fall?
Stop, look up from the tears on your face
There’s hope, you haven’t yet lost the race.
Motivation and perspiration are key to success,
Wake up from your sleep filled with uselessness.
Stand up for your voice and your thoughts and your rights,
Soon you will begin to see the lights.
You can do it, you have the power,
And don’t forget to smell the flowers.

Social Justice Poem by Tessa Belo

Ozone layer depleting
Animal species quickly fleeting,
Islands of trash forming,
Smog confuses night and morning.
This problem truly affects us all
So let’s stand tall
To treat mother nature right!
Global warming is on the rise, and no solution in sight!
Pollution from factories,
Hydrofracking and cars.
Soon our problems
Will be as big as mars.
I say something can be done,
So grab your father, mother, and son.
Go pick up some trash,
Compost and save some cash!
This problem truly affects us all
So let’s stand tall
To treat mother nature right!
Global warming is on the rise, and no solution in sight!
Quit driving your hummer,
To the environment it is a bummer,
Trade it in for something smart!
It will be quick as a dart!
Reduce, reuse, recycle!
Follow the 3 R’s,
And maybe our problems
Will stay smaller than mars!
This problem truly affects us all
So let’s stand tall
To treat mother nature right!
Global warming is on the rise, and no solution in sight!
Spread the news
Let the awareness blossom,
If we join forces we can save the earth,
The trees, and the opossum.

Stateless

Stateless,
Forced to live a fate much worse,
Than to obtain the rights ordained.
A cause where race is diverse,
Desirable citizenship to be attained.
This cause unnoticed, shall traverse,
and kill the dreams, a child once hoped.
Save their lives, and speak, converse,
Bring to light this, shadowed slope.
Without, a child may lead no life,
For future holds none but strife.
Maury Dyer.

blog gabriel neuville

Hello im gabriel and im going to talk about alcahol issuses on a reservation.

There are alot of Native Americans drinking to no money on a reservation and depression becuase of it.

The victims are Native Americans on and off the reservation victimizers are the goverment and big coperations members the community are schools, tachers, and the people the live there.

Mostley everyday in the comunity is affected by this and the victimizers get money for selling alcohol, cigarets, and drugs.

For bringing money on the reservation stradigy is apllying for low intrest loan charities to help the reservation.

The solution is investing the loan into a buisness like grocery stores, banks, and laundry mats.

Social Justice Poem

Cayla Roberts

lost souls
fingers move as we stand still
pulling us backwards
we're devolving into a species
of solitude
surrounded by electrical ghosts
we are translucent
illuminated only by
the soft glow of an LCD screen
so
TURN DOWN
TUNE OUT
UNPLUG!
live deliberately
find yourself
stop hiding behind
profile pictures
and cyber facades
kill the false being
cut the power
be free

Social Justice Poem--bullying, teen suicide, GLBTTQA rights

The Only Option
Grace Chadwick

Your lips taste like words that you never said
But I'm already dead, I'm already dead
Rings smashed on the ground 'cause we couldn't be wed
And I'm already dead, I'm already dead
Punches that land on the back of my head
I'm already dead, I'm already dead
Sobs caught in my throat as I drift to my bed
I was never alive; I'm already dead.

Life For A Black Person

Every where I go I'm being judged. Is it because the color of my skin or is it the way I talk or walk. The government always trying to bring us down or take our life away. Why they think we less then them as people? Every race has a set of bad apples. Just because i'm black doesn't mean i'm less smarter or more dumber than a white person. The police want us bad , the judge hate us more, the jury think we guilty before we come through the door. Every law that's pass is designed to sank us more. Every store I walk in i'm getting stared down, " Because i'm black , don't mean I steal". Just because I might be from the ghetto doesn't mean i'm dumb, i'm just as smart as yall, but yall don't want the world to know. Every time I buy a lot of food doesn't mean i'm paying for it with food stamps. The sterotypes the government or any other race hear about us are not what it really is. Why black people had to be the race that were slaves? All I ask myself is why us. What made them so better? If a black person and white person committed the same crime, who would get the longest sentencing? When we call a police they take forever but if we were in a white neighborhood, they would be there no longer than one hundred and sixty seconds. The problem is Poverty, Law , and justice not getting treated fair and equally. Solutions are a better government, help for needed people, come together as one, and sterotyping. I understand you see black people taking out each other's lives. I know you think if we don't care about each, so why should y'all care. Well, all black people not like that. Stop sterotyping and let us be us and stop trying to take our lives away.

War. How we change.



there was a decorated general with
a heart of gold, that likened him to
all the stories he told
of past battles, won and lost, and
legends of old a seasoned veteran in
his own time

on the battlefield, he gained
respectful fame with many medals
of bravery and stripes to his name
he grew a beard as soon as he could
to cover the scars on his face
and always urged his men on

Hirsi's Persuasive Essay

Taking Action On Child Abuse: Step 1: As many years went by there was a huge amount of increase of child abuse going on all around the world.. The conflict is Child Abuse and what we can do to stop that. Step 2: The possible victims of child abuse are those who are doing this child abuse towards young and innocent children's. (Parents, sibling, babysitter and so on) the victimizers are the little kids that are being abused. the members of community could be neighbours, the parents, The School's that the children's attend. There are people who could be touched by this that does not support child abuse and that will think that it is a very wrong thing to do. This will affect everyone that has a very good relationships with kids and to see them suffer like that will impact them in a huge way. Step 3: POSSIBLE VICTIMS: challenges: Getting the kids attention and treating them right instead of abusing them. Opportunities: They get to abuse the child and to do whatever they want. VICTIMIZERS: Challenges: holding there composure while they are being abused, having hard times communication with other, standing up for themselves (and many more) Opportunities: To stand up for themselves and to get some help before its too late and things start to get worse. COMMUNITY MEMBERS: Challenges: Standing up for those innocent kids, being calm if they seen a child being abuse. Opportunities: Being brave, doing what is right, making sure that kid does not have to go through with that ever again. OTHERS DIRECTLY/INDIRECTLY AFFECTED: Challenges: Not being brave enough to help the child, not caring about the situation. Opportunities: Standing up for you and that kid, Starting a new chapter in that little kid's life, STEP 4: STRATEGIES: Be aware of child abuse and to not ignore the situation because it might just get worse until something goes wrong. Standing up for that kid to show that you care for he/she and that what he/she is going through will come to a stop, so that they could for once begin to live there life the way they are suppose to. STEP 5: SOLUTIONS: STEP 1 of my action plan is for everyone to be aware of child abuse going around you and to take action right away. STEP 2 of my action plan is to help out any kid that I see being abused or being mistreated in any way. STEP 3 of my action plan is the world to come together and to put child abuse to an end once and for all. STEP 4 of my action plan is that if you can not take action of a child being abused the least you can do is to report it to someone so that the young child can get some help that it needs. STEP 6: EXPECTED OUTCOMES: The outcomes I hope to see is for child abuse to come to an end so that every kid deserves a chance in life. Just think about if you were the one being abused I believe that you would not be to fond of that would you? So all I have to say is... "Treat others the way you want to be treated"

Sunday, June 3, 2012

They, us, and we.

The two men looked ever onward.
Forward.
In their hands
Lay their baby.
Not theirs.
But theirs.
They fought for their child.
They fought for the love between them.
And this left them weak.
But
Strong
The two men look onward.
Past those who said no and cant.
The two men look ever onward.
Ever ever on.

Save the Earth

What we have...
Forests.
Waterfalls.
Mountains and Lakes.
Coral Reefs.
Wetlands.
Plains.
Rainforests.
Tundras. What's happening...
Forest Fires.
Waste.
Oil Spills.
Global Warming.
Deforestation.
Air Pollution.
Water Pollution
Energy Waste. What we can do about it...
Solar Energy.
Wind Harvesting.
Electric Vehicles.
Prevention and Awareness.
Clean Up.
Plant.
Conserve and use alternative energy sources.
Clean up and save the environment.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
We can save the earth that we've broken.

Peace Not War by Adbilatif Hassen



Podcast: Very powerful commentary about war and hate.

Luc Janssen's Politics poem from 6th hour

Politics
by Luc Janssen

Make a law for personal gain
Push it on through, hope no one complains
Everyone is playing, no good remains
Partisan politics leaves deep, dark stains
Man in the street takes to his feet and then he repeats
The sidewalk under me has been stolen
Woman in a house says to her spouse while eating their grouse
That if Bush becomes president they're moving
Listen to your forefathers, listen to yourself
Learn from your neighbor, take a book from your shelf
Go on journey in your mind
Seek and you will find
Some original thought
That nobody bought
And that's worth a lot
Priceless

Should you deregulate?
Renovate?
Speculate?
All things you should investigate.
Stop accepting the information that gets put in your trough
For too long our brains have been turned off
And it doesn't take much to make that stop
But it also doesn't take a lot for us to flop
So if we really want to race to the top
Pick up a mop
And fix the mess we've dropped
 Whether you're a business man or a traffic cop
America is thoroughly lost
Americans are thoroughly lost
You are thoroughly lost
And nobody knows it

Find what you believe
Because your party probably has a trick up its sleeve
And someday you too will grieve
The loss of control
Of our collective soul
Christmas full of coal
And no cash in our bowl
And you will ask yourself why?
Now is the time to open up your eye.
Reject.
Accept.
Neglect.
Make your own flawed team all by yourself.
And at least it will be yours.

Khalil Ross - Jinkins

Social Justice Poem Margot Franchett Hour 6

Drip Drip 
The need of every drop
Overtakes communities.
Companies monopolize the business,
Thirst of what is abundance for some
Never to be quenched.

In countries of little wealth
The dry and infertile land becomes hazard.
If only people would know the thirst
That the children, families and individuals face.

When more people know,
More people help.
Clean water can be shared.


Social Justice Issue Prezi

Saturday, June 2, 2012

Unlike being an aerobe, we were not obligated to write a poem

Every subject in school suffers from the need to make learning fun, rather than for its own sake. Even though teachers will say that they are trying to get students to learn for its own sake by making it “fun” they are cheapening the knowledge, giving only the most limpid parts. Leading students to believe they are experts, that their opinion is just as important on a given subject as fact, or as that of someone for whom this is their life’s work. If learning isn’t “fun” then it is obviously busy work, the most odious phrase to student and teacher alike. However all that is boring is not necessarily busy work after all Repititio est mater studiorem (repetition is the mother of learning). But there comes a point when, yes, it is busy work.

However now with this focus on “fun”, to keep kids in school because we want every child to be their best, and the only way to do that is through pushing every child through college, obviously. We have a conflict of interests. There are still students who would learn for its own sake, who would prefer teachers to be teachers instead of guides and friends. “There are three classes of people: those who see. Those who see when they are shown. Those who do not see.” ~Leonardo de Vinci Is it better to pour our focus into those who will not see, or those who are able? Perhaps it is most just to still pour the resources of those who see and use their sights for the betterment of themselves and their families into the eyes of those who will not behold on their own, even when shown. But is that fair? Of Course Life isn’t fair, hasn’t been for a very long time, and frankly won’t be till the end of ages.

But that is what our school (and I am sure other’s as well) tries to do. And when it can’t it just lowers the standards, or in a truly radical proposition eliminates them. The justification? Grades (based upon standards) are in direct opposition to fostering a love of learning. So how do teachers intend to prepare students to live in the world? Or even in college?

Most students don’t intend to be unemployed. And many do not really have what it takes to be self employed, they haven’t learned the skills. Teachers are trying to be friends, which diminishes the respect for them. Friends don’t tend to give much work to friends. They would rather have fun together. But a teacher had obligations as well. And it is possible to be a liked teacher by just doing the job. The shift towards teachers being guides on the side, takes from their value.

Boost Up (a program to help students stay in school) claims one reason kids drop out is because they are bored. Yes they are bored, but making all the lessons into games which then must be discussed. While enforcing teamwork, it brings the caliper of the classroom experience down to the middle of the room, in theory neutralizing the lack of understanding of these who don’t get it (for whatever reason, be it valid or not) with those who do.

But it leaves the kids who get it bored. And lead the majority down the false idea that they are somehow experts on a subject. Which is dangerous.

There are programs in place for struggling students, or those who are statistically more likely to struggle. AVID is one such program, it states(I have no idea how well they uphold this as I am not qualified for the program) that they get students college ready by raising the bar.
We would have a better world if the bar was set high, and the push to be the best one can be was just directed to the underachievers. The way to push those that know how to do well in school is not to give them more work because they got done quickly. Nor is it to ignore them, It is better to stop trying to make classes “fun” and make them actually enjoyable instead. By making them challenging for all students, fascinating, and covering the basics first.


(a few other notes on the importance of math and where frustration comes from: Frustration : the students here : HTTP://IMGS.XKCD.COM/COMICS/FORGOT_ALGEBRA.PNG WHY MATH IS IMPORTANT: Because “anyone who cannot cope with mathematics is not fully human. At best he is a tolerable sub-human who has learned to wear shoes, bathe, and not make messes in the house” ~ Lazarus Long

Friday, June 1, 2012

EP By: Angelo Kelvakis 2nd hour



This is my social justice project. It addresses the issues of Poverty and Environmental problems. The issue of leaving Earth because its ruined. The person in the song try's to find an alternative source of fuel. The classes are separated and only the ones who can pay for one can get a ticket and leave. The person in the song stays behind so that he can try and save the earth with a new type of fuel. It was poorly recorded on garage band with Charlie Lincoln and seamus hawley, some musican-friends.

Here are the lyrics:

Issue Poem by Halen Sidla

Equal Alice McBride 6th hour

Equal

Skin color
black white blue green pink orange
just colors
injustice they say
rasist towards one another
not equal

equal
skin is nothing but race
a differnt tone
i should not be judged
you should not be judged
equal

Grades

Grades Grades must be good. Grades must be great. If Grades are bad no food on your plate. To Make Grades good, or To Make Grades Great No exceptions to get Grades, you must never be late Good Grades get you into college Good Grades show you have knoledge For good Grades you must make a sacrafise Give up what you love for Grades and roll the dice Do you measure your success with Grades Or do you measure success with Grades memories you have made

Social Justice Poem

Social Justice Poem

By: Harris Bernstein


They see us walk out
we’re having a good time

They see us talk and laugh
yeah, it’s all sublime

They stop it all with
a beckoning motion

Those dips pull us over
(that’s right they have that notion)

That we’re not innocent, that we're just a scum bunch of teens
We drink and steal yeah, (we’re so unclean)

They checked our bags and looked through every personal pocket
Were so helpless what can we do (just mock it)

We (teens that is) are so helpless
we’re like tiny ants

The police, the neighbors, our parents don’t trust us
just give us another chance.

Fiona Carson's Podcast on Health Care in America

Bullying Slena Kibira 6th hour

Bullying
Selena Kibira
6th hour

Bullying hurts
Bullying is everywhere
Bullying affects everyone
Let's fix it
Can it be fixed?
We need your help
We need everyone
Lets make a difference
Lets make it stop

Naomi's social justice poem on homelessness

Smile Shes damp, wet from the rain that just fell, Standing under the bus stop theres few ways to tell, That shes hurt, No one to turn to, no where to go, As she walks to the store her feet drag slow. Up in the sky the moon shines bright, But all that she sees is white covering the night, Her feet go numb with her hairs on end, Three cold coins in her pocket are nothing to spend. Her stomach is empty, Theres a hole in her shoe, Keeps walking through the dark, That shes gotta push through. A warm yellow light floods her heart with grief, A cozy looking house sitting right across the street. They got food on their table, nice neighbours next door, The kids have opportunities that they can hope for. They walk into the room with dad being a clown, Mom kisses their heads, now its time to sit down. Does this family understand how much they got? Probably not, cause they've never been in her spot. By the freeway, in the day, she stands with her sign, People look right through her, push her away, aside. Mom pulls the kid in close, to keep him safe from harm, As if shes a freak to just disregard. They stare right through her as if shes a ghost, Ignored and shunned by more than most. Except the one girl who passed her by, Who gave her a smile and a look in the eye. A smile worth more than one thousand words, After that moment her heart was spurred, A sliver of hope was freshly gained, A new sentiment had been retained. Wet shoes and cold fingers come too often, are too many, But a smile on the street can cause happiness in plenty.

Legalizing Love by Marie Nicholas

Legalizing Love By Marie Nicholas, period five You beat abuse and violate you speak only of anger and hate you break the body and abuse the soul and even if you can't i can see the toll And to think! you excuse it all You say its your religion, it calls for your twisted justice All over who someone chooses to kiss But I've read your bible, and what it says about matrimony all that "man and woman" baloney Yet it makes no restriction on love and it doesnt command you to push and shove I was taught that marriage is about love and commitment and about putting that into a legal print It is time to end the bigotry so gay people dont need to flee its time to start protesting, with unavoidable civil disobediance and get new ideas through heads so dense because people cant be disposed of so lets legalize gay marriage, and legalize love

You Can't Break Me



You told me you wanted to get to know me,
but you used your strengths against me. 
I said I wanted to take things slow,
but you insisted we jump to the next level. 
I wasn't ready for what happened next, 
I told myself I was going to be careful. 
I thought I could trust you, 
but instead you took me for granted. 
Things have changed since that very day, 
but I'm proud to say you made me stronger. 

Mohamed Mohamed (my race poem)

Rosa Parks mohamed mohamed Whites only ………………….. White entrance, Black entrance No black allowed Whites in the front, Blacks in the back A world of racism A world of segregation A world of Rosa parks got tired of Tired of being oppressed Tired of submitting Tired of giving in She refused to give her seat A small thing starting an avalache A simple “NO” leading to a yearlong boycott A movement supported by the community Watched and observed by the nation They fought for their rights After a long battle They refaced it Their liberty justice.

Social Justice, Down Syndrome in the Schools



A lot of kids in school have dissablities and are made fun of because of them. I dont think it is fair that they get made fun of because of something they are born with. The school that kids attend should be a safe environment and everyone should be accepted.

Comfortable in My Own Two Shoes

A Pretty Little Poem By Shana Crawford, Written in Third Hour English. Let The Reading Commence:





After Reading Notes:

This poem is essentially about being comfortable with who you are, no matter who that is. Its addressing the issue that in many places in this world, you are judged by what you look like, how you act, and what you do.  For many, the constant pressure causes them to be unhappy with who they are and they change to be like someone else. The message of this poem is to not change, that whoever you are, that person is beautiful, and deserves to be shown. Subliminally, it also informs you that you should wear comfortable shoes to improve your posture and erradicate uncomfortable shoes forever.

Love, The Author.

SocialJusticeplan

Government in the United States is not what it should be. It consists of two opposite parties arguing and coming to 'compromises' on issues that only satisfy one party or the other. Rarely is there bipartisan support with items concerning foreign policy, education, and religion. What people need to do is vote for the Independent and Libertarian candidates, as to eliminate the extreme polarity of today's political climate.


People I'm askin'
to do the right thing
to think about the issues

to vote

for the best choice

Like a forest-clearing monster
these teas* pave the way
for themselves, themselves, themselves
and call it 'God's wish'

But where is your evidence?

Your reason?

Your sense?

Come on, be real
don't follow those guys
They argue,
quarrel,
fight,
stumble,
stutter,

'God this' and 'God that'

We don't need these people
running our country
deciding whether to have
bibles in our schools

or 'Race to the Top'

What will happen if these opposites
continue to debate?

I know.

A demise of a country
unjust laws
standardized testing

who is affected?

I know.

students
teachers
adults
immigrants

other politicians.

This is the political climate
of the 21st century.

When I go to school (Social Justice Plan poem)

When I go to school
I expect to learn something
My teachers are expected to teach me
About the universe around me
When I go to school
I expect to be knowledgable about algebra
Music
English
The sciences of the world
When I go to school
I want to learn this
I want to know this
I want to remember this
When I go to school
I am prepared
I am ready to learn
I have an open heart
An open mind
When I go to school
If I go to school
And the teachers don't know what they're doing
I can't do what I want
To learn
To know
To remember
If I go to school
And teachers won't teach me
I am unable
To be ready to face the world
To go into life with a confident mind
To be prepared
When I go to school
And all year you don't know how to do your job
So that I can learn
So that I can know
So that I can remember
I will do anything in my power
To help myself
Help everyone else
So that you're not a problem anymore
When I go to school
I will make sure that I can learn
Everyone can learn
When I go to school
You will teach me
Or someone else will
When I go to school

Ignorence, Tyler Thomegreene

Ignorence


Look At The Ingorence
Directed Toward The Immagrants
Intended For The Idiots
But No,
It Spreads To The Intelligent
Leaving Nothing Left Of It
So What Is There To Do?
Educate The Kids Until Their Faces Turn Blue
Inform The World Until They Get AClue
Now We Have A Task To Do
So Im Directing This Toward You
Get Your Head Out Of The Sand
And Allow Yourself A helping Hand.

Government Spending Poem Hour 3 Maddi Kraft

GOVERNMENT SPENDING

Our education is
Fleeting
While the costant
Beatings
And Killing of the
Innocent people
Over seas
Is where our money bleeds
Where do Prioreties
Lie
When taxpayers money
Goes towards murder
Instead of the education of there
Children
Or the enviromnment of the world
We live in
Why are the words of
Protest
Not heard
By the shallow ears of the government
If we could split this money
Between
The importent things
That this country endures
Like the next generation
Of
Earth
Of people who will run it someday
This country will last
Away from our blood stained past

Environmental Issues by Tiba Navab

http://prezi.com/nifo5v5d-wbw/copy-of-social-justice-project-environmental-issues/

My social justice project is about the enviromental problems in Minnesota and how there are 1.4 million pounds dumped into Minnesota water ways and out its effecting our state. In my prezi you will learn about the problem and its effects it has and possible solutions and out come that can be presented.

Daddy's Little Girl

Daddy's Little Girl

There she stands
the picture of youthful innocence
half of her face bright with childish curiosity
but the other half is mangled
stained purple and black
red tears weeping from her cuts
behind her stand the mangled troops
using their broken arms to protect their battered
 faces
from their 'loving' parents
the air heavy with the weight despair
shattered hope littered across the ground like
broken glass
she whispers
please don't let him hit me
her voice a gunshot
in the silence of the subject

her little voice grows louder
ignoring the pain in her protesting lungs
and pushing past the fear
that lurks near her heart,
waiting to pounce

the chorus of tiny voices crests over the ears of the public
each terrified plea
condemning us for our laziness
our apathy
our hopelessness

I join her and the crowd
lifting each child above the black fog and hatred
pushing them toward the sun

No Money Mo' Problems by Meg Ruddy and Maya Sheikh

No Money ‘Mo Problems by Maya Sheikh and Meg Ruddy Why are people so poe? And the government don’t know That people need doe. Don’t give us money? Then you are a butt muncher Dude, come at me, bro. But we don’t make bank Minimum wage is a cage You know we gon’ rage. Jobs don’t pay enough Budget cuts suck major butt Unite and fight back! Ey, be attentive Politicians’ best listen We gon’ fix Wall Street Wow, so this is whack Let’s protest at cap So we can take back. We’re on a mission Finna start a petition To get a commision We be on welfare But those multimillionaires Be takin’ my share. Lend a helping hand, and get your Robin Hood on. Pressure on the man! So dear rich people quit being so damn stingy, Help a brother out!

Final Blog Post Poem

We are haunted by the past,
stuck by choices made before,
now the suppressed are suffering,
and are torn apart by war

These problems could be fixed,
if only the government could agree
not to build new stadiums,
but something to make the trapped people free

And all the while while people suffer
because of frightful history,
our water is being stolen,
a problem few people really see

Past pain present now,
evidence is clear,
must learn from mistakes forgotten,
and fix first issues near

Government buying stupid things,
selfish things no one needs,
must speak out against these outrages,
and prune away the weeds

Water is precious resource for all,
bought by greedy hands,
becomes unusable for public,
must give water back to land

racialy flawed sentencing peroid 2

Judge sits in thrown as if king
Regal white curls fall like snow globes
Never to see the light of day
Verdicts drop like atom bombs
To moms dreams
She crumples and screams
Her baby had the look of being alone lost at sea
His dark eyes raised, red and still cryin
But what was his crime?
Being out past nine?
Or was it the fact that he was in possession of dime
That’s only a misdemeanor
But his sentence was meaner
And even though his record was cleaner then household cleaners
He’s being charged with intention to sell
I mean what the hell
That little green bag
That he bought from a hag
To prove he had swag
Will land him in a cell
Does this ring a bell?
That this is not right
That we’ve got to fight
Because it seems like the thing he’s being charged for is not being white
But what do you think
Would he be better off if his skin tone was pink?
Or would his life to be washed down the sink

social justice poem

Sadness is like a deep dark cloud,
it has no shape,
no substance
but it looks like
 what is has to look like, to
keep you trapped inside your fear

close your eyes
let the sun come out
look around you
happiness is like a knight in shining armor
come to chase away the dark