Fwd: SOC 122 Karen Flores

OK, thanks for the clarification.  I'm forwarding this to the blog.  

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From: "Karen Flores" <karenflores001@mail.fresnostate.edu>
To: "Timothy Kubal" <tkubal@csufresno.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, March 15, 2016 5:44:01 PM
Subject: Re: SOC 122 Karen Flores

I did send them to the correct email address but you told me to forward them to you because the don't show up when I send. I have done 4 democracy now and the tabling paper and none show up on the blog. 

On Tuesday, March 15, 2016, Timothy Kubal <tkubal@csufresno.edu> wrote:

please see the syllabus for the correct address to send this assignment.
----- Original Message -----
From: Karen Flores <karenflores001@mail.fresnostate.edu>
To: Timothy Kubal <tkubal@csufresno.edu>
Sent: Mon, 14 Mar 2016 20:26:46 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: SOC 122 Karen Flores

Karen Flores SOC 122

http://www.democracynow.org/2016/3/11/as_trumps_rallies_become_racism_summits



Trump canceled the event after a protest was done on the speech he gave.
About 4 people got arrested. There was a guy that tried to harm him and
Trump says it had to do with Isaias. Thomas was trying to say in the speech
that trump was simply a racist. Many people were admired about the protest
that was done to stand for their beliefs. Trump said that Muslims hate us
meaning Americans. Trump believes that there are to much hate. Trump thinks
that there were many consequences because in the final debate before
Tuesday's primaries in Florida, Ohio, Illinois, North Carolina and
Missouri, the four remaining Republican candidates sparred on Thursday
night in a CNN debate in Miami. They discussed trade policy, immigration,
Cuba, Israel and Palestine and more. Front-runner Donald Trump, who has
called for a ban on Muslims from the United States, came under criticism
for his most recent comments about Muslims. Many believe he is talks
without knowing many and a president should never speak that way and hate
and be racist over another race. "Islam hates us,' trump said.  Did you
mean all 1.6 billion Muslims they asked him. His response was that  a lot
of them. I mean a lot of them. Trump said on February 23rd, "I'd like to
punch him in the face," referring to February 27th, "In the good days,
they'd have ripped him out of that seat so fast"; February 1st, "Knock the
crap out of him, would you? Seriously, OK, just knock the hell. I promise
you I will pay for the legal fees. I promise, I promise." punched an
African-American protester in the North Carolina rally, saying next time he
might kill him. This issue is a radical ratification as Trump is political
radicalism because the political spectrum people are more rational they are
extremely frustrated because of the critical think trump says.

Toms River

David Baltierra

3/12/16

w.democracynow.org/topics/new_jersey

 

 

Dan Fagin who is an Environmental reporter gives us a very good hypothesis of what has inspired at Toms River in regards of stricken children with the dumping by chemical giant Ciba-Geigy Corp. This clandestine disposal may be caused by abnormally high number of childhood cancer cases in the 1980s and 90s.

The residents at Toms River believed that their prayers had been answered to them by having the Swiss chemical company, Ciba relocate to Tom River.  Since the economy was somewhat stable they felt good about this move. Not knowing that the company has had a bad rap sheet, they continued on.  However during the course of time children and adults became sick with childhood cancer.  One of the resident linda Gillick became an out spoken person for her fight for your son who was one of the children who became ill with cancer.  In this article Dan says that he was very interested in hat that they're interested in is what I'm interested in to study on the simple concept of epidemiology. However Dan went to do some investigation and in his findings this is what he came up with. In his first findings was the misunderstanding was the nature of clustering itself.  In other words when things are just or people or rice thrown in the air and they just come down in clusters on the floor. As Berry knew, everything clustered to a degree, often for no reason other than chance. Nothing that was subject to the complexities of the natural world, whether birds in a flock or sick people in a city, was distributed evenly in space and time. Some clumping was inevitable. In cancer incidence studies, the challenge was not to find the clumps—that was usually pretty easy, thanks to the registry—but to identify which were likely to have an underlying cause other than randomness. Dan said "A more striking way to think about that was that an American man faced a 44 percent chance of getting cancer at some point during his life; for women, the lifetime risk was 38 percent ".  I am always glad that there are people like Linda to show up with so much care for her son to go out to fight this giant. It just shows that when people get together or active action takes place. With so many cases, it was inevitable that some neighborhoods would have surprisingly high concentrations of cancer—again, for no reason other than bad luck. "People just didn't realize how much cancer there is all over," Berry would later explain.

Finally in my conclusion many of the people who called Berry to report a possible cluster assumed that cancer was a single disease instead of a catchall term applied to more than 150 distinct conditions. With all theses cancers involved uncontrolled cell division triggered by genetic damage, but many had little else in common by the time Berry finished clearing up those misconceptions about cancer and then moved on to the deficiencies of the state registry, with its out-of-date and incomplete records, many callers were so discouraged that they dropped their request for a cluster investigation.

March on march 4th

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 March

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Soc3 Multi-issue event

Melissa Vidal

March 11, 2016

30

Sociology is in part, the study of human interaction that involves a very wide range of social issues. Today was the Multi-issue day of action that took place in the free speech area in Fresno State University. There were several organizations that were tabling throughout the day. I attended this event for quite a while and there were three different things I participated in throughout my time there. I started off by first taking the time to get information on the different organizations that were offering information and raising awareness, then to listen to the raging grannies and making my own sign, and lastly I participated in the march.

The first social organization group I went to was about a shelter place for animals that were abandoned or dropped off because owners could no longer provide for them. They wanted to spread awareness that this is a big issue and many do not really realize how many dogs are running the streets and end up dying or end up being put down because no one can take care of them. They wanted to spread awareness of this issue by saying, "don't delay, get your pets spayed." They mentioned that they are located in Selma and that it's a good idea to get their dogs spayed/neutered to prevent future animals from being brought into the world with no one to care for them. They mentioned the statistics of how many animals are put down to rest every hour. This was really sad and this organization indeed raised awareness to me because I never really thought about how many poor animals are sadly in a position where their life has to be taken away. Other organizations were the California Faculty Association, Men for Equality of Women, and an organization spreading awareness that slavery still exists in the 21st century.

The California Faculty association group was telling me that some of them are students and since the faculty at Fresno State stands with the students in opposing tuition increase, they will also stand with and support the faculty of fresno state on the issue of a 5% salary increase. They mentioned how the faculty gets a very small yearly salary, and has actually decreased since 2004 and has been steady flat compared to UC school, community college, and public k-12 systems. They also mentioned that the average salary for the professors is forty five thousand. This fact is overwhelming for the faculty because sometimes that salary does not cut it because many teachers have school loans that they're trying to pay off, as well as taking care of their family's monetary needs and of course, paying their bills.  This organization made me look at this social issue in a different perspective. I honestly had no idea why there was a possibility the faculty was going to be striking in April but i understand now. I related to the young female student in this organization because if the faculty supports us, students, I support the faculty as well. I also proudly took one of their pins that says, "I stand with faculty."

The Men for Equality of Women organization had a lot of interesting information as well as the organization raising awareness that human trafficking is still occurring and many young girls are being victimized. I was very surprised to find out that this was happening in Coalinga! Human trafficking was actually happening in a Coalinga "massage" place. This made me realize how human trafficking is occurring right beneath our noses and we are completely unaware of it. I always thought that human trafficking was something that was occurring in non developed countries and areas of substantial poverty such as in Africa and Thailand. I never imagined it occurring right in the state of California, and especially in a city so close to Fresno. This was very alarming to me so I decided to make my sign to raise awareness of this social issue and made my own sign that read, "Free all bodies, end human trafficking!"

While I was making my sign, the raging grannies were singing songs up on the free speech area. They were addressing various social issues and they were not embarrassed at all to speak their minds.

After the grannies had finished singing, many people from this event, including myself, went through with the march to raise awareness of all these social issues and to make sure our voices were heard. We marched from the free speech area to the back parking lots, close to the Peter's education center, on the sidewalk on Shaw avenue, and there were cars honking to show their support in our march. This was exciting and it was great to see how there were many people reading our signs and interested in what we were doing, which was to raise awareness. We proceeded by the kremen building and through the dormitories and back to the free speech area. The march was fun, and seemed to have happened so fast because of how much I enjoyed being a part of it.

This whole event was inspiring and very impactful. This is the first march I have ever been a part of and It felt great to raise awareness of social issues that most of the community doesn't pay much attention to. I was a part of those who didn't have the slightest clue on the different types of issues that were being presented, but after this event, I am aware of these current issues. I gained a lot of knowledge that I otherwise wouldn't have gotten, had I not participated in this event. I would definitely repeat this experience and participate in raising awareness of social issues that are being ignored to pave the road for the community to begin recognizing these issues and come to possible solutions.

Soc3-extra credit assignment

My name is Melissa Vidal and attached is the extra credit assignment I did for Soc3, Tuesdays at 12:30pm-1:45pm.

Extra Credit Soc 3, Alex Schwartz Th 12:30-1:45

Alex Schwartz

3-11-16

20

On Friday, March 4^th, I attended and participated in a march throughout campus where we walked and tried to bring awareness to social issues such as homelessness, hunger, gender, race, environment, and education. I very much enjoyed participating in the march and talking to many of the people about why they felt so strongly about the social issue for which they were marching.

Right before the march began, everyone was at the booths making posters or signs for their issue and conversing among themselves. They were also looking at all of the information being displayed by the different booths and hearing what issues they were there to represent. Then when the march began everyone proudly picked up and displayed their signs and began formally marching and sometimes chanting for their cause. We received mixed feelings among onlookers, some of whom agreed with one or more of the issues, and some who clearly did not and displayed their disapproval. The right of all in this country though is to proudly display your beliefs and ideas, even when some may disagree with those beliefs. As we marched I saw a great variety of different signs that raised many questions on different sociological issues such as free education, more jobs, animal rights, hunger, and a call for stopping euthenization.

While on the march, I began talking with a young man who was along for the march but not really carrying a sign. He and I struck up a conversation which began about school and then eventually went onto the march and some of the issues which were being displayed and our opinions on those issues. Our conversation eventually also made its way onto politics, and although he did not seem overly educated on the presidential race he was very curious about learning about it and asked me many questions on my views of who I thought would win the nominations. I very much enjoyed talking to him and exchanging views and ideas on many of the issues that face our society.

Overall I thought the march went very well and was very interesting and thought provoking. This was the first time I had ever marched or attempted to raise awareness to an issue which I felt strongly about. I think having a voice and making that voice heard when you feel strongly about an issue and that it will help your society is very important and something we need in our country. Younger generations should be involved in social issues, since it is today's issues that will affect them tomorrow and they need to have their voice heared so they can fight for what they feel will be best for them.

Kimberly Kipraseut

3/11/16

30

I attended the 12:20-1:50 time period, but the march ended later than expected. For the first hour that I attended, I asked the people at the booths some questions.  The first thing my eyes caught sight of was the pit bull from the Fresno Bully Rescue.  I decided to ask them questions, and record them using iCati.  Unfortunately, the recording of the interviews I did that day was horribly choppy.  I learned that the Fresno Bully Rescue is a non-profit shelter to rescuing bully breed dogs.  They host monthly volunteer orientations at their facility.  During the orientations volunteers first try bonding with the dogs to try to get to know them.  Later, the volunteer go on walks around town.  Fresno Bully Rescue promotes animal therapy.  They take qualified shelter dogs to nursing homes and host sufferers of Autism or those with limited mobility at their facility.  This booth interested me the most because I owned a pit bull mixed lab, but something went horribly wrong where he was taken away while I was in class.  I wanted to know why it all happened and if there was any way of me preventing it all to happen.  The woman that talked to me about it from the shelter said he was most likely traumatized as a puppy and whatever event happened triggered a bad memory that led him to attack.  I am thinking of doing their next orientation on Saturday, March 26.

The second booth I went to talk to was called, "Free the Slaves".  They gave me interesting information and statistics on modern day slavery that I didn't know at all.  Every 30 seconds someone is being sold into slavery.  Slavery generates about 150 billion dollars for traffickers each year and 78 percent of slavery victims are in labor slavery, the other 22 percent are in sex slavery.  A girl told me, she knew someone that seen a girl frail and in need of help on the streets.  She took her in, gave her shelter, and fed her.  She later found out that she was abducted as a child somewhere from the east coast, I think North Carolina.  She then contacted the organization and reunited the girl with her family.

The march was an entirely new experience for me.  I have never been part of one before.  The sign I was hold said, "Stop Animal Abuse!!", with a cute heart shaped paw print on it.  I could shout much because I was about to lose my voice.  As we walked along Shaw we received some support form people passing by in there cars honking for us.  The route of the march was further than I expected.  

Extra Credit Assignment

Maria Perez-Bravo

March 11, 2016

90

It was my very first time participating in an event a Fresno State which made me a little excited to attend this one. The first thing I did when I arrived was sign in and then I was a little confused of what to do next so I just continued down the row of tables and talked to different people about their feelings for certain matters. There were two tables that caught my attention the most, one because I agreed with and the other because I found it very interesting to learn something new. Those two tables were about feeding our community or the world for that matter and not let anyone be without food, the other was human trafficking. I knew what it was but never really looked into it or read about it until I was informed that day. It was sort of exciting to be surrounded by people that are so passionate about certain causes that are happening all around us.

After going down the line of tables I stopped and waiting for the Raging Grannies to perform. It was very interesting to watch. Although we all have our freedom of speech I felt a little uncomfortable listening to them because I didn't agree with all that they were saying but that was okay with me because I like to be open and let people speak their mind. As they were performing I looked around to see if people were into it or if people passing by would stop to listen, they did. I think what intrigued me that most was their outfits, they all had some sense of similarity but at the same time they all had their uniqueness as well, something that made them each stand out, just like us humans, I thought it was very cool.

The Raging Grannies then finished their performance and we got prepared to start the march. It took me a while to find a banner that I wanted to hold and march around with. Although I was just practice I didn't just want to walk around with anything that I wasn't going to be comfortable with or something I didn't agree with. I selected my banner and we then started to march. We marched more than I expected but it was okay. As we were walking down Shaw it was very neat to see some cars actually reading what we were holding up and people noticing us by honking. I don't think I would ever go on a strike unless it was something I was passionate about or agreed upon 100%. Over all I really enjoyed the experience of the march and it is pretty great that we are able to practice our rights of freedom of speech.

March Write-up

Fredrick Jacob Alvarado
March 11 2016
90

For me, protesting and marching has always been an interest of mine but I'm never really had the time or been persuaded to pursue a protest. In terms of protest energy levels, compared to what I've seen with videos on YouTube, this march was much more mild in nature, obviously, but what I learned is that it was a great springboard for future marching for myself. I've always followed politics, even since a younger ages and I've been fascinated with fighting for a better country for all of us but this was my first experience towards actually doing something about it instead of being a keyboard warrior sharing articles on social media.

            The first hour composed of me walking around tables, seeing what message everyone had to offer. The great thing is that everyone that was tabling was a student. They weren't paid to be there, there weren't forced to be there, but they chose to be there to represent an idea and stance on a social topic. It was great seeing Fresno State students stand up behind a social movement for something more than voting to have a Starbucks at state or wanting free Wi-Fi. Some issues were

 more important than others in my opinion, but many different social issues were represented. I talked with a few of the people and looked around at what the tabling had to offer. The tabling portion was all very mild and organic with a relaxed but important vibe to the session. It was great to see younger people actually care about something outside of their immediate reality.

            The Raging Grannies were hilarious. They had coherent messages, with coherent songs that were actually catchy. It was great seeing an older generation of people take a stance on women's rights when the Grannies have probably been doing for decades now. In one aspect of it, I felt proud that older people still supported the same issues that are being fought for today but at the same time, I felt really sad that the grannies were still fighting. Even in one of their songs they tell people to more or less start fighting for equal rights so they can retire. It was a call to action to motivate people to actually care about politics and social issues but sadly, I feel like it fell on deaf ears with people just laughing the message off. Now, that's my assumption of course, maybe the message got through to some people but to me at the time, it seemed like people just laughed with it and didn't give it serious thought. The type of thought their message deserved.

            The Raging Grannies also were very lively, sang with energy and included lots of political humor in to their songs which I thought was great. It was kind of like seeing Flight of The Concords but older, and talking about social issues. It was a real sight to see these ladies still putting up the fight. I do hope that they can retire one day and my generation actually gets off their damn phone to do something about real change. The show showed me that the grannies really deserve to retire and my generation deserves to grant them that right. Even though the singing was comical, I did also feel a sense of urgency behind their music which was really great.

            The march itself was something else. I can't really explain it but I will try to as best as I can. So some context, obviously the march was on campus and that lended itself to be light or lighter in nature, but the ideas expressed in the march were definitely apparent and real. The march was a mix of many social and political issues but what excited me the most about the march was that fellow students, people my age and younger were actually doing something about their views and not just sitting around complaining. I'm guilty myself for doing that at times, complaining about how things are corrupt and not really finding a way to make it better, but at least with this march, I felt like it was an opportunity to start something really important in my life. The start to attend more marches, more protests, to phone bank for political candidates, to become PHYSICALLY involved in the change I want to happen. It's easy to go online and complain or share articles but the real change is on the ground. In the future I hope to have more time with me being done with school to make a real change.

            The march itself was a nice walk around the campus but everyone had a voice in their march. My goal during the march was to attract watchers of our march or everyday students and verbally address each person to grab their attention to our many causes. Calling out to people on hoverboards, pointing them out by what they were wearing, whatever it took to draw their eyes to our signs that was my goal of the march. I think providing an outlook to free speech and giving students this opportunity to march by persuading them with extra credit was a genius idea but to me, it really changed how I will interact with future political issues. My goal is I just hope I don't get arrested by doing it.          

March 4th - Ruth Haan Soc 3

Ruth Haan

3/11/2016

20 

March Fourth Protest

Karla's March Experience

Karla Rios

3/11/2016

20

On March 4 we marched for many different social issues. Throughout the walk we fought for many different things big topics that are very controversial topics. For example animal rights, human trafficking and world hunger. One that really struck me was animal rights. Up until now I didn't realize that it was even being debated on.

Walking to the save mart center holding my sign, what amazed me most was people actually stopped and took time to read my sign. At one point a girl stopped me and said what are you guys marching about? What is all this about? As I walked, I explained to her we are marching to inform. I explained to her that not many people know the importance of animal rights. I personally hold that near and dear close to my heart because animals may not have a voice so we have to be there voices. She agreed that we are there voices and it's an amazing thing that we are informing people about not only animal rights but many of the other issues.  

Throughout the experience, I noticed everyone's engagement to the different social issues. I loved the fact that we could be there educating people our age on the topics. My partners and I marched with had the same beliefs and opinions. I know not a lot of people will agree with you but some reason we all did. Not only that but I was able to take with me so much knowledge and information.  I love that we attend a university were we may voice our opinions and concerns to the whole university in the free speech area. 

Extra Credit March

Eduardo Herrera

March 11, 2016

20

Raging Grannies/ March

During the time I participated in watching the raging grannies perform and marching I noticed a lot of different things.  The performance that started the event was interesting because the grannies were really into their songs and felt strongly about the messages being conveyed. They even went as far as cussing and flipping people off to try and prove their point. All of the grannies were dressed similar wearing bonnets and typical clothing you would see on a grandmother from the 80's.

            What really stood out to me however was when we did the march around campus. There were many different signs being held by participants ranging from animal abuse to human trafficking and supporting the professor strike. While we walked people were chanting and trying to get their message heard by those on campus and the street. Cars would honk in support of the march and it would really rally up those who were marching. I didn't really think the march would have that much of an effect on those watching but everyone was supporting when they saw us walk by. It was also funny to see that everyone who participated was being led by a guy who was wearing a banana costume which certainly attracted attention.

            During the march I started to think about everyone back in the 70's and 80's who would be doing this kind of thing in order to fight for their rights.  I started wondering how it must have felt to march for miles holding signs trying to get everyone's attention to help make a change. After participating in this event I came to realize how effective it really is and why all the people who did it before got what they wanted. I would definitely participate in something like this again because it really did help raise awareness for the issues at hand. Overall I believe the march was a success and those who did it had a good time.

Patricia Cortez 

March 11, 2014

40

                                                   March on March 4th

    Social issues surround us and who best to represent those social issues then Fresno State students. We walk oblivious to what is going on everyday as some of us adopt that "if it does not affect me I don't care" attitude. It was very refreshing to see students actively participate and be activist to what they feel passionate about. Professor Kubal was also a great influence in this event. As his student this semester, I can see his passion for sociology and bringing awareness to social issues. As I arrived I realized I may have been a little early or the event was behind. There was a table with picket signs ready to go for the scheduled marched. The posters varied on social issues such as animal cruelty, political issues, and  homelessness. I watched many students wisely choose their picket sign ready to join the march and be an activist. A few students made their poster of choice. The many tablings available at the event were all great topics of choice. The first I paid a visit to was the one I was most interested in and that was the "I stand with Faculty" table. There has been a lot of buzz on this topic. I did not know too much on it other than students hoping that we would possibly not be attending class a few days in April because professors were going to protest. Of course most of the information I receive is often distorted. So I spent lots of time at this table talking to the students representing this issue. It was very alarming to learn how much professors get paid. I respect the work professors have done to get to their position and I feel it is unjust that their pay says otherwise. So I definitely stand with faculty and feel they deserve a 5% raise without a doubt. 

    One of the biggest businesses nowadays is human trafficking. This social issue did not come as a surprise to me. It was an issue I was well aware of after I did an internship in South Carolina in 2014. My work with farmworkers brought me face to face with this issue. I heard many stories of promised work, housing, and food in the United States. These people weren't greeted with this dream instead they were forced into selling their bodies. Such a sad time for me to know it existed here. I feel it is a very important social issue as did other students who gathered to hear what is really going on not only here in our backyards but around the world. A topic that i see too often is animal cruelty. These students took the time to talk about the issue and how many animals suffer at the hands of their owners or others. I think about the innocence of these animals and wonder how someone can be so cruel. This has to be an issue that has to be pushed more and more. As a society we can not just accept that it happens, we can change it.  

      I was also very surprised that we have a pit bull rescue shelter. These dogs unfortunately have been bred by some to be aggressive. It was very nice to know of a no kill shelter for these dogs. They did such a great job representing their organization. Of all the tablings I am highly considering volunteering at this shelter. The highlight of the event and who drew in the crowd were the Raging Grannies. These grannies were the best. The many political issues they addressed with humor was a reminder that aside from all the other social issues the political issues are the ones that affect us most. Political leaders represent our country and as citizens and with a right to free speech we should stand up for issues whether they affect us directly or indirectly. 

Angelica Baca Soc 111 Extra Credit

Angelica Baca

March 11, 2016

60

My experience at the Multi-Issue Day of Action on March 4, 2016 at California State University, Fresno was a great one. I had made it in time to start the march. I unfortunately wasn't able to make a sign but I did admire the ones I saw and even supported some. There were numerous issues that were brought up that included drought, world hunger, education, women's rights, gender equality, injustice in the criminal system, politics, animal rights etc. During the march there was a little bit of chanting. We did get the attention of passersby's during the march. I met a really awesome woman who is a double major and mentioned how women studies have changed her life and how she was born to be an activist. After the march I browsed around the booths and got distracted by the adorable pit bull that was there with the Fresno Bully Rescue. I had to leave shortly after. If I had a sign I would have made it in regards to gender equality, pro public breastfeeding, or animal rights. It was really fascinating listening to a fellow student talk about finding their passion. I have never been in a march like that and I found it very empowering.

Anne Cortinas ,3/11/2016, 90

 Anne Cortinas, 3/11/2016, 90 MW SOC 111

 The event I attended was very eye opening and fun. When I first arrived I found you to sign in and then I was around to see what each organization was about and how their booths their booth was contributing to the day. One of the first booths I attended was the homelessness; I went to be very interesting. I participated in a few activities they had going on, my favorite activity was the "Are you hungry?" the students gave me $7.50 to go grocery shopping unfortunately all I could afford was $2 loaf of bread and $5 whole fried chicken, I was a quarter short of being able to buy water. This activity was meant to show realities family face by having to purchase unhealthy food to feed their family because it's affordable each fruit and vegetable they tried to sell me was $1 each. I also learned that funds have been cut in California for WIC, there is limited assistance for breastfeeding/pregnant women for children up to 5 years of age. I also took a quiz to test my knowledge of homelessness in Fresno I was not truly aware of the statistics, I did learn 46% of homeless women have been abused, 20-25% of homeless have mental issue problems, and 49,933 homeless veterans. The status a for homeless better a women is very shocking because 70% are affected by substance abuse issues and 40% are assaulted in the military. On the bright-side, 100% of Fresno Unified Students are eligible for the free school lunch program. A few other booths that I really liked was the animal rights because I am a stronger believer that animals should not be used as a testing subject for makeup.  They especially should not be  in any way mistreated because they don't know any better. We need to be guardians to them and treat them right.  Another booth that I found interesting was students supporting teachers to get a raise. Many of the students handed out booklets that gave us information on where's the money from tuition going if we don't see teachers getting a raise, but yet their are new monuments going up around the school, but what's happening to the rest of the funding. It really made me think as to what is happening to all the money, I mean not only does the school get tuition paid, but parking passes are 93 dollar a student (and we have a commuter school).

Another thing that impacted me was a group of old women called "The Raging Grannies" who have been protesting against the government for women's rights singing songs. I felt super empowered listening to the passion and word choice for those songs since I am a woman, I couldn't believe that they have been protesting since the 60s. My favorite song was uterus because no one should be afraid to call their body parts the proper name.  I noticed they was people of all ages involved in this activity as well as a lot of different ethnic groups, who also participated in the march. Mainly it was composed of college students and senior citizens(raging grannies).  

First I began, making myself a sign for the march, my sign focused on animal rights I had so much fun making it. On the back, it said no animal testing and on the front it said Cruelty-Free with a bunny on the top. During the march, we walked from the free speech area all around towards university high to shaw and back past the door and again to the free speech area.  The march was my favorite part of this activity because I wasn't embarrassed to speak my mind and shout things. Everyone in the crowd was having fun and laughing we all marched there were many shouts and then there was silence at times. It was a really great overall experience because people were honking at us. At one point we tried to get this random girl to join, but she said she was going to get food. I feel everyone felt comfortable to be who they were no one was judging anyone and it felt great to be apart of a group who was open minded.  The march itself made me feel so liberated from the world it allowed me to see a different perspective because I've seen marches happen, but I've never participated in one. For me, this experience was one of the best I've had at Fresno state since I don't really have time to participate in activities.

 

 

Protest/March

Cherihan Jaber

March 11, 2016

20

            Attending the protest that began in March 4, 2016 was a great experience. There I saw people gathered together, finishing their signs as the protest was about to begin. I did not arrive to the free speech area until it was about 12:45. Although I was not able to make it in time to make my own sign, luckily extras were made for those who did not make their own. People were protesting about different topics, such as: homelessness, animal abuse, human trafficking, education, gender equality, the environment, and world hunger. Basically, we were protesting about the suffering majority of the world are encountering. Some of the things the signs discussed was, say no to human trafficking, end world hunger, feeding the United States, rescue equals animal adoption, I'm not for sale, help me, and animal adoption etc. The sign I was protesting about was animal abuse should not be allowed.

            As people were making and finishing their signs, there was a form of entertainment that the crowd enjoyed. There was a group of about 10 elderly ladies, who call themselves the Raging Grannies who basically sang about the challenging problems people face with till this day. They sang about homelessness, how people are shamed if they have an unwanted pregnancy, and about words people are embarrassed to talk about in public, like the word uterus. I remember as they were done singing about people who were homeless, one of the elderly ladies made a funny remark saying we are to be blamed for not helping them out. Though she was joking and people were laughing, in a way she was right. How hard can it be lend a few change to those in need?  When the Raging Grannies were singing about Uterus, they were encouraging people to sing the word Uterus. They sang "So when is it wrong to say uterus, there is not a shame to say this word, then kept repeating the word uterus. But only a few out of the crowd sang with them uterus. 

            Once the Raging Grannies finished singing their songs, the walking of the protest began at one o'clock to be exact. All the students that chose to walk were assembled together and headed passed the satellite union, towards the joyal administration building to walk on Maple Street. Each of us protesters were shouting facts about our signs. One girl who was walking right beside me shouted, "One in every five animals are abused". There we had a lot of attention from passing cars and others who were walking on campus. There we received many honks from ongoing cars and many people recording and taking pictures of us.  

            This march was important to me because I feel that people will neglect all conflicts unless somehow they themselves will be effected. I felt that I played a major role in this walk because I was able to help spread the word and message that needs to be heard. I do not think it is fair that people would avoid these tragic issues so they do not have to help out. People need to put themselves in other people's shoes to understand the burden they are suffering from. I feel that if more people were involved and supported everything we were protesting, the world would be a better place to live. It takes so little to show some love and support to an important cause.

I felt the protest of these causes were a huge success. We had a lot of people who helped make signs and walk during the march. We had food, drinks, and several tables in the free speech area. I think what could have made this protest more significant is if we had a few homeless people or people who were shamed for abortion join us in the walk and give a speech of their own personal experience. I think that people would be more sympathetic and we would have a bigger crowd because people love a story that can relate to them.

Soc 3

Lourdes Orozco

March 11, 2016

30

Going into the multi-issue day of action, I truly did not know what to expect. There were several tables set up and lots of people gathered around them. Walking around campus from day to day, I had usually seen other speakers or people taking action for some cause, but I had never participated or listened to them. When I got to the free speech area, I signed in and grabbed a sign that was already made. It was supporting the cause for the university strike and it said "Fight for Five" with the hashtag "I stand with faculty." However, there were so many other signs to choose from that were for awareness of issues such as animal abuse, human trafficking, and food insecurity. I would have held a sign for all of the issues if I could, but I feel strongly about the topic that I chose. My professors have informed me about how they are frustrated about not having had an increase in pay for a long time, and five percent is not too much to ask for. In fact, there is a huge possibility that they are going to go on strike for a week in April because of it. Aside from that, the first thing that happened when I arrived at the free speech area was I listened to a few songs that were sung by the Raging Grannies. The Raging Grannies surprised me because when they were standing by the tent prior to performing, I had thought that they were quiet and soft-spoken ladies. However, they proved me wrong when they sang their songs that were in response to things that have been said by people, politicians, or other things that they disagree with. They are fun to listen to because they feel strongly for what they believe, they are passionate and also hilarious. After they finished singing, the march led by Doctor Kubal began. This had to be my favorite part as there was a huge sense of unity amongst the participants, even though I had never met any of them before that event. We walked around campus for about 45 minutes and one of the places we marched was on the sidewalk along Shaw, where some cars honked to show their support. We also went by the dorms and over by the South gym and then ended back where we started at the free speech area. This was such a great and fun experience! The participants were chanting and holding their signs and those who supported the "Fight for Five" just like me were chanting, "when do we want it?" and we all yelled in response, "now!" It was also great how everyone had so much energy and they were all helping each other's chants regardless of the sign that they were holding up. This was just an awesome experience that I was even able to make new friends out of, and I will without a doubt participate in another event or march like this one.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weekly Discussion Paper (3)

Lana Silva

SOC 122 MW  5:30

11 March 2016

 

http://www.democracynow.org/2016/3/4/remembering_berta_caceres_assassinated_honduras_indigenous

Last Thursday, environmental activist and leader Berta Cáceres was assassinated in her home. Cáceres is known for her grassroots mobilization of protesters in indigenous communities to challenge, among other things, a hydro damn that had the potential to destroy their water supply. Although protesters had suffered consistent "harassment and violent attacks," it wasn't until after a community leader was shot by the Honduran military during a peaceful protest that the activists became even angrier with the company, demanding them to leave. This shows evidence of political opportunity theory because after something bad, such as a murder, happens, then it gives the movement more leverage for demands, and it becomes a good time to bring attention to the cause. Similarly, after Cáceres's assassination, more attention is being brought to the causes she fought and died for. There are also activists that are, now more than ever, riled up and fighting for change. Even though murders of environmental activists are relatively common in Honduras, with 116 last year, according to political opportunity theory, these deaths are ultimately good for the movement. It seems that because this time it was a well-known leader who was assassinated, like it was in the hydro dam protest, it may have more of a significant impact for the movement.

 

 

www.democracynow.org/2016/3/8/honduran_activist_berta_caceres_died_in

Another well-known environmental activist, Gustavo Castro Soto, is at risk of being assassinated. Soto both witnessed Cáceres's assassination and was targeted at the time, getting shot twice. After the attack, Soto attempted to return to his home country of Mexico with the Mexican ambassador by his side, but at the airport was taken against his will by "Honduran authority thugs" and has been imprisoned in torturous conditions for questioning ever since. Beverly Bell, a fellow activist and longtime friend of Cáceres and Soto, effectively communicates to the public using framing by first diagnosing this problem while simultaneously getting people motivated and emotional with her language. Next, she gives them a prognosis where she clearly lists exactly what her and fellow activists want. Interestingly, previous speeches given by Soto and Cáceres that are featured in this story use framing as well to reach the public and communicate their message effectively.