Items

• 
  2022-07-01

  Delay to The Bay

  My plans to visit San Francisco in 2020 came to a halt with the outbreak of the Coronavirus. As a high school teacher, I was looking forward to my long awaited-spring break. It had been quite some years since my last visit to the San Francisco, and I knew a trip to ‘The Bay’ was long overdue. I booked a flight, hotel, and waited patiently as the weeks went by. Spring was coming up and there were heavy concerns about COVID 19 spreading into North America. I was slightly concerned but figured I would be safe to make this trip. As news broke out about cases emerging in San Francisco, the nation went into hysteria. I was not skeptic about the hazard of Coronavirus, but selfishly planned to proceed with the trip. Then my father called me. My parents, both in their seventies were definitely at risk, especially my mother who struggled with health since my childhood. My father asked me kindly not to go to San Francisco. Without hesitation, I canceled my flight and hotel. I had booked everything online through a third party and was unable to receive any refund. Bummed out, I knew it was the right thing to do. Coronavirus spread, schools shut down and my spring break prolonged. At first I was spending time kayaking, but the weather in Phoenix got so hot I had to stay inside. The Phoenix summer of 2020 had record breaking heat with 55 consecutive days of 115 degrees plus Fahrenheit temperatures. I was miserable. With concerns of my mom’s health, social distancing, living alone and bored, I was very unhappy. The unjustifiable killing of George Floyd caused anger, and rightfully so, across the nation which contributed to more hysteria. The only positive that came from that hot summer were my experiments in the kitchen. I would then deliver tasty meals for my parents. This was the one thing that made me happy. Unfortunately, my mother did not survive past the summer of 2020. She passed away in her sleep peacefully due to an unrelated COVID cause. I was on an all time low. Sad, empty, missing my students, and missing normal daily life. We had no idea how many people would die and when things would normalize. It was truly scary. Fast forward to 2022 and things were much better. I figured surviving 2020 made me stronger and much happier. Vaccinated and boosted, I decided to pursue my trip to San Francisco. I made the best of this short trip. I went to a party outside the Chase Center for the NBA Finals, in which the Golden State Warriors played against the Boston Celtics. For the first time, I took a ferry to Alcatraz. In China Town, I saw locals dance with dragons, in which one bopped me in the face while I was taking photos! Caught by surprise, I did not take offense to this. Observing how the dragons behaved with mischief, I knew it was all for fun. This made me laugh. This was a much-needed trip indeed. 2020 affected everyone around the world. With global hysteria, people getting sick, people dying, racial injustice, everyone except pandemic deniers and those oblivious to political issues resonated with fear. Passing through time, my 2022 trip to San Francisco was a rebirth. A rebirth to normalization. A rebirth to my passion of exploring culture. A rebirth of sanity, and a rebirth of controlling fear. A rebirth to laughter. With dragons, noodles, basketball, and Ghirardelli, the delay to ‘The Bay’ will forever be a golden memory.
• 
  2022-04-27

  Minorities & Covid-19

  This text is about the BLM movement & how I believe Covid-19 aided the movement.
• 
  2022-02-05

  The Bittersweet Impact of the Pandemic

  March 13, 2020 was my last day as a student at Fairport High School in Rochester, NY, although I didn’t know it yet. I remember that day at school being filled with joking remarks, especially “Happy last day of school!” We discussed whether or not we thought school would close in economics class, and if it did, we came to the conclusion that it would only be a couple of weeks. The next day, I was in the car with my mom when I heard that school was to be closed indefinitely and that my dance studio, which I had been dancing at since I was three, also canceled classes. I started crying and got mad at myself that I took all those moments in the halls and with my teachers and friends for granted, as well as dance competitions and practice. But, I calmed myself down by reassuring myself that it would only be a couple weeks. My mom and I then went to Wegmans to see how empty the aisles were, and I was surprised to find that the cheese aisle was basically empty, and that there was no more toilet paper nor paper towels available. It’s weird looking back on how we weren’t wearing masks yet. The two weeks turned into months and on May 1st, school and dance stated that they were closed for the remainder of the year. I missed out on ball, my last dance competitions, my last dance recital, senior bash, and my graduation. We graduated by watching a poorly put-together slideshow of everyone’s pictures and pre-recorded speeches. Teachers came by and handed us our diplomas. We all drove by the dance studio the day that recital was supposed to be. However, despite these setbacks, I was able to learn more about myself and become closer to my family. My life that was previously extremely busy was put on pause, and sometimes I miss that. I started to paint, I watched a ton of movies that I had always wanted to see, I had time to spend with my dogs and cat, I got closer with my siblings, and I started to become an activist after the death of George Floyd and educate myself on racial inequalities and police brutality. The scariest part of quarantine was when my mother was redeployed to the COVID unit at RGH. She was only there for a couple weeks, but she saw how hectic and scary COVID truly was. She saw people die and not be able to say goodbye to their loved ones. Whenever she returned from work, I would have the front door propped open and the shower running so she could just jump right in the shower, and then I would spray everything with Lysol. Although I became majorly depressed in September of 2020 and I still dwell on the moments that I have missed, the pandemic was able to put my priorities into perspective. The pandemic was able to teach me not to take things for granted, to pay attention to the world around me, to try to make a difference in the world, and to make more time for the things and people that I love. May all those who have passed from COVID rest in peace and my heart goes out to all those impacted.
• 
  2021-10-04

  Neglect of Prisoners

  One of the examples of bigger issues coming to light during the pandemic. Not only were people in prisons fighting covid, but they're also continually dealing with a lack of resources such as basic air conditioning/ heat.
• 
  2021-10-07

  Exposing Systemic Racism in all Areas

  While some believed the pandemic aid solved food insecurity, that couldn't be further from the truth in black neighborhoods.
• 
  2020-06-01

  June 1st 2020 Chicago Lincoln Park Protest

  This was during the middle of the pandemic and I took a picture showing how not even a pandemic could stop people from uniting to protest against injustices. People can be seen wearing masks and keeping a bit of distance from one another considering.
• 
  2021-05-18

  BLM movement during COVID

  The horrific and inhumane death of George Floyd was the absolute last straw for many people. His death caused such an uprising that no one was prepared for. Floyd’s death caused thousands of people across the country to protest and literally fight for their lives. Citizens began a peaceful protest which turned into violent protests which resulted in the burning and looting of the city of Minneapolis. This protest turned violent because even after the negative image the police had in the country’s eyes, they still proceeded to injure Americans, using rubber bullets and tear gas during these protests. I chose this picture because it is very impactful to me as a Black man in America it is terrifying and sad. The way police treat Black men such as myself is beyond scary and traumatizing. There are no words to describe how it feels to walk around as a man with brown skin. In the photo I selected, there are two police officers beating on a Black man while he is down on the ground. It baffles my mind how even after an individual is down, disarmed, and disables, police officers will continue to apply unnecessary force to the individual. The death of George Floyd and the events that took place after is a monumental event in history. People need to know how America, came together despite race and differences and protested to enforce the Black Lives Matter Movement. So many different groups of people put their differences aside and came together to protest the safety of Black people. It is important that police violence is captured not only for the justice of the individual who was hurt, but as a part of history. The police brutality and Black Lives Matter movement is very important part of history. This is a movement that brought together many individuals of different race, class, and beliefs to support the end the abuse of Black citizens of America. I chose this picture which occurred in Buffalo NY, officer decided to beat down a 75 year old man who was peacefully protesting. The idea of police who are supposed to serve and protect are beating an elderly man, imagine what they would do to a young man as myself. I’m glad these cruel acts of violence are now being captured and people are receiving the justice they deserve. It is also important for people to see these events as a part of history.
• 
  2020-06-02

  Mayhem at Fordham Road

  A video of the riots that took place in Fordham Road during summer of 2020.
• 
  2021-04-21

  COVID-19, Religion, and Public Life Reflection

  Throughout this past year, COVID-19 has affected each and every person, whether emotionally or physically, but I believe that it also has taught us so much about ourselves and allowed us to empathize with those around us who may be struggling in similar ways. The object I submitted is a photograph of my best friend and myself at a Black Lives Matter protest in Downtown Phoenix on June 3rd, 2020. As the pandemic has forced us to remain at home, it has given me the time to not only focus on personal growth, but also learn more about groups of people that are being oppressed around the world. I have become a more active member in society this past year listening to Black voices by furthering my knowledge on the discriminations they continue to face, and how their experiences of COVID-19 are different from white Americans. This has really opened my eyes to see how many different races are being oppressed, either by being blamed for the occurrence of the pandemic, or by how decisions are made surrounding who deserves priority treatment over another patient on the bias of race, ethnicity, or wealth status. I am grateful to have learned so much about these topics and for being able to attend numerous Black Lives Matter protests, and wish to continue to stand up for what I believe in as an active member in my community. Throughout the pandemic, I believe that relationships within religious communities have strengthened because individuals are looking for even more hope that their loved ones will survive and that everything will be over soon. Religion has played an important role in helping many throughout this difficult time by letting people know they are not alone and have an entire community to support them. Upon working hard to become the best version of myself and really see the world in a more positive manner, I have learned so much about the need for spreading positive energy and support especially to those whose voices were particularly oppressed during this time, or to those who were directly affected by COVID-19. In the midst of this, we must look past our differences and help each other out, because violence and disagreement will not further our progress.
• 2021-03-26

  My Post-Covid Hopes and Dreams

  I dream of a world with no restraint. A world where everyone may be free. A world freed from the burden of masks and complaints. A world where we all agree. I wish for a world with no injustice. A world where everyone is equal. A world freed from the burden of hatred and those who despise justice. A world where there are none who are unequal. I hope for a world with the healthy at ease. A world where we aren’t isolated or destitute of friends. A world freed from the uncouth disease. A world where we don’t constantly need to cleanse. COVID-19 has been a mess, but we will stay hopeful nonetheless.
• 
  03/14/2021

  Trisha Vaughn Oral History, 2021/03/18

  Trisha Vaughn is the CPT Supervisor for a large Bay Area community hospital. In her spare time, Trisha hosts a podcast with her daughter, is an avid writer, and she is starting a small apothecary business to sell her skin care creations. In the oral history interview, Trisha shares how she has navigated through Covid-19 in both her personal life, and as an essential worker. She reflects on staying motivated and helping the people in her life stay motivated thought these hard times. Trisha describes how the social injustices and civil unrest in response to police brutality during the pandemic has affected her and those around her and about how the urgency of the pandemic has overshadowed the injustices faced by people of color across the nation.
• 
  2020-07-21

  Photos from Remembrance of Philando Castile rally

  Hindsight is 20/20. Unless you're Jeff Bezos, this year has likely been really difficult (and it might get worse). I'm trying to challenge myself to look back at 2020, not only remembering the injustice, corruptness, and trauma of it - but all the friends made, hugs shared, and inspiring moments I got to witness. ⁣ ⁣ Lots of love to everyone who has been cheering me on locally and beyond. It's made this year a bit easier. That being said, call your mom. Embrace seeing a therapist. Hit up that friend you've been meaning to catch up with. ⁣ ⁣Photos from Remembrance of Philando Castile rally, July 6, 2020
• 
  2021-02-22

  Black history and the COVID-19 pandemic

  This post shared on social media talks about how environmental, economic and political factors play key roles in the pandemic spread. Interestingly this article talks about the county Milwaukee, in which simply being black puts the life expectency down by 14 years. Dr. Camara Jones states in this article that "COVID is just unmasking the deep disinvestment in our communities, the historical injustices and the impact of residential segregation,”. As stated in the article, when mojority of black people in Milwaukee county went to near by hospitals when they felt they were in contact with the virus, they were sent home and died before the confirmation of the test came back. This shows how the pandemic is effecting black people.
• 
  2021-01-29

  Dear Future Generations

  This story tells about the experience of one young person during the pandemic, and their perspective on the future. I wanted to include this to highlight the perspective of young people, and especially to highlight how I am not satisfied with just going back to normal.
• 
  2020-10-11

  In California’s prison factories, inmates worked for pennies an hour as COVID-19 spread

  This article highlights the changes that have been made inside US correctional facilities during the Covid-19 pandemic. While visitation, religious services, rehab and educational programs, phone usage, and even showers have been cut down or completely eliminated, prison labor continues. Incarcerated people are also not able to refuse to work. Doing so can result in loosing privileges time added onto a sentence, or loss of parole or release. In this particular article when the prison was confronted with the worry over the virus being spread through work they defended their position saying they only continued work in places that produced items necessary to fight the pandemic such as soap, hand sanitizer, and masks. While much of the spread of Covid-19 in correctional facilities has been linked to the transfer of inmates this article highlights another avenue for spread, the movement of materials to make things such as masks. The women in one prison were making masks using fabric produced by the men's prison next door. The driver that delivered the fabric from the men's prison was not wearing a mask or taking other precautions.
• 
  2020-06-02

  Picking up the pieces

  The coronavirus and the Black Lives Matter movement are two of the most important things in the US right now. This photo represents both of those things and it's important to me because I'm a young black kid who wants to live safely in a community where I feel comfortable. I, just like many others, have learned a lot about the history of injustice in America towards black people.
• 
  2020-06-06

  COVID Cant Stop Us

  COVID-19 has affected the entire world and continues to create a separation between humanity as we are confined into our homes and spaces the exist 6ft away from human contact. But this pandemic did not bring the demise to the inhumane, inequal, racist treatment that people face daily. You would think that in a time of need that people would band together and rise above such actions. But, the pandemic did not stop us from using our voices to fight for Black lives and justice for all people in America. As people pooled together to rise above racism and inequality. The collection of pictures, in this post, is so intriguing as you can still see everyone at these protests maintaining a distance of 6 feet and wearing masks to protect others. It seems so powerful that through all the hate and social injustice that everyone could mass together to show care and love back into the world. These images are so important to the history of COVID as it shows how much it impacted the people in these images, but didn't stop an even GREATER movement in history.
• 
  2020-04

  Tweets from Inside a Prison 4/12-4/18/2020 by Railroaded Underground

  These tweets are from an incarcerated person using a contraband cell phone to let the world know about the conditions inside the prison. This week he is talking about choosing between a shower and exposure because their showers are communal with over fifty people. He also mentions the prison employee that brought him his meals and lead him around has tested positive and that the first inmate is positive and has been sent to solitary confinement for quarantine. He mentions a lack of soap, receiving fruit snacks with his lunch because they contain vitamin C, injustice, #clemancynow, and inmates at other facilities being retaliated against for speaking out.
• 
  2020-06-02

  You Cannot Teach Black Children and Be Silent About the Injustices Against them

  As an educator this quite hit me hard. The image is a protester wearing a blue mask holding a large white sign that reads, “ You Cannot Teach Black Children and Be Silent About the Injustices Against Them.”
• 
  2020-06-02

  United South and Eastern Tribes Issue Statement on Unrest in the U.S.

  “America is suffering and her people are hurting, angry, and concerned about our fragility and our collective future as a nation. We have reached a tipping point that has long been bubbling under the surface. For the last several days, we have watched the explosion of centuries-old frustrations and tensions, rooted in injustice, erupt in protest and chaos in communities across this country. Unbelievably, this current crisis is unfolding on top of the months-long stress resulting from a once-in-a-generation worldwide pandemic. This pandemic has challenged us all both personally and professionally, taxed us to the point of physical and mental exhaustion, and has exposed disparities and inequities that have long existed within this country.
• 
  2020-05-29

  Why welcoming cannot thrive as long as racism persists

  This statement from Welcoming America unites a response to the Black Lives Matter protests in response to the deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd with the larger injustices and disparities based on race and immigrant status made more visible because of the pandemic.
• 
  2020-06-01

  Social Issues

  Public figure Trevor Noah compares the difference between breaking the law for people who look different by comparing a woman who continued to operate her salon during the shutdown. People praised her for her actions by calling her a "Freedom-loving American". But Trevor Noah is saying that if she had looked different she would have been called a criminal. Currently there is much social focus on the injustices within the legal, criminal and justice systems within America. There is an ongoing debate on what it means to have white-privilege, and what it means to be black in America.
• 
  2020-06-06

  Protestors Block Golden Gate Bridge Traffic

  The Golden Gate Bridge is perhaps the most iconic architectural landmark in the San Francisco Bay Area. As a resident of the area for the last 16 years, the Golden Gate Bridge holds a special place in my heart. On June 6, 2020, it was incredible to watch thousands of protesters fill the bridge to protest police brutality and racial injustices across the United States as a part of the larger protest movement that swept America in the aftermath of George Floyd's death. The crowd was so large they completely blocked traffic on one side of the bridge. The many images and videos taken of this moment beautifully preserve this historic moment. Many protesters marched masked as the protest occurred during strict COVID-19 shelter-in-place orders, however, many others chose not to do so.
• 2020-05-29

  What's on my mind?

  What’s on your mind? Honestly always my homework and everything going on that's on social media. I'm always thinking “did I do this?, did I do that?” and always stressing about getting my homework handed in on time. I feel like school has been harder lately. I feel like I'm not really learning anything and I feel like everyone's more concerned about passing their classes than actually learning what's going on in the lesson. We’ve been getting a lot more homework then we usually do in my opinion. It's a little hard to keep up with all of the work but it's ok we have two weeks left until school is over so we won't be getting any work after these two weeks and we won't be getting too much since we are finishing up all of the lessons we’ve done. Moving on to social media. Everyone is talking about George floyed, a black man killed by a white cop by not being able to breathe because of the cop and saying he couldn't breathe numerous times and with people trying to help and say something about it the cop didn't listen. A few weeks ago before this event a man named Ahmaud Arbery was shot and killed by two white men for absolutely nothing that was that serious for him to have his life taken away. These two events make me feel absolutely disgusted and even feel embarrassed to be white. These events force other cultures to talk about how white people do this and that and it makes the white people who aren't racist feel embarrassed and disgusted and uncomfortable in their own skin. Racism in this world needs to be stopped. It's 2020! Why are we STILL being racist? Towards a human being who has a family and a life. We are being racist and treating them like crap for what? Their skin color? That's disgusting. Black people are now being ashamed to be who they are because of white people constantly hating and doing horrible things to them. Cops need to have boundaries. If the person they are trying to arrest is already handcuffed what are they holding him down for? Why did they have to stop his breathing? He was already handcuffed. The cops take advantage of their jobs and should have their limits as well as we do. I'm not saying every cop is like this but there's a lot that are racist and use their advantage of being a cop. That’s all.
• 
  2020-03-22

  Graffitti on MBTA fence, Jamaica Plain neighborhood, Boston, MA

  Poor people, Black people, and Latinx people are suffering and dying during the pandemic more than others. Most frontline workers in Jamaica Plain-- from the cashiers and stockers at Whole Foods and Stop & Shop grocery stores, to the pharmacy's staff, to the aids at Brookside Community Health and Spaulding Rehab, are mostly low wage workers, many of them immigrants and/or people of color. The pandemic is forcing people to address longstanding social inequities, and the White House is failing to gain any trust that it will help those suffering. As recently as the day before I'm writing this, Donald Trump was pushing for all states to begin re-opening businesses that are not necessary at this time, largely staffed by people who are financially and socially vulnerable. Someone is taking out their frustrations by graffito-ing walls around JP; this is but one sample.
• 
  2020-04-23

  Pope Francis's Twitter Message

  • This tweet is from Pope Francis on April 23, 2020. His message sums up the importance of unity in our world during critical times like this. In the midst of a pandemic, we need to be reminded that all lives matter, despite our differences. We must come together as one and help each other. #CSUS #HIST15H