The Gift of Kindness

The news has always been filled with negative critiques and basically any story that can catch publicity. Lately, the news has been filled with stories about Michael Brown, Sydney Siege and other devastating events. Although these happenings are important and bring up many subjects, sometimes all we need on the news is a story which can bring a smile on our face, to brighten our day and the world while we go through this rough time.

On December 6, an Alabama woman was caught shoplifting eggs for her hungry family. They had not eaten for two days and were financially troubled. The women was short fifty cents and ended up stealing eggs due to desperation and need. When Officer Stacey was called in, he did not arrest the women but bought her a carton of eggs. Although shoplifting is a crime no one should commit, the officer understood the woman`s situation and left her handcuffed free. However, she did promise not to commit the crime again.

 From this heart-warming story, we can learn many lessons. First of all, it reveals the poverty and desperation not only this woman has but a majority of our population, including other guardians and even college graduate students. Either an immigrant or citizen, America needs to create more jobs for their own people or else future generations could see a bumpy road ahead of them. This story also shows that not all cops are bad and/or racist. Due to harsh actions taken by police in Ferguson and New York City, toward the black community specifically, people all over the country have been protesting about their actions and assume that most police officers are similar. Adding on, the police was white. The police officers who took actions which brought turmoil to the public were also white so there has been more anger on the white police officers. The woman who the police officer let go was actually black. This story proves that beliefs of racism and discrimination in the police force is false. Even though there are some officers who do not make the right decisions, does not mean every police does the sane. Every person is different, resulting to different mistakes and actions. Perhaps there are more individuals who do similar acts of kindness that never, but should, be publicized.

This is a kind of story that I would want to read on the news. The media should realize that not everything on the news has to be negative. They might think that they can get loads of cash for it, but a genuine story such as this one can do the same. Our generation must change the way the media is for the better. 

The Negative Effects of Black Friday

As Christmas approaches, everyone wants to find the best deals out there for gifts to save money and time. However, is cutting down family time on Thanksgiving Day, getting no sleep and waiting in line for hours worth it? Black Friday isn`t really the best day to grab bargains but a day which society has been brainwashed to think as. First of all, Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving. These two occasions happening around the same time don`t mix well together. Thanksgiving is a day to be thankful for what you have while Black Friday is a day, or several days long event, to fight over a "great bargain". The idea that people are thankful one day and greedy the next is like breaking a promise and not sticking up to your belief. Over the past years, Black Friday has crept into our Thanksgiving Dinner time which shouldn`t. This day of the year is possibly the only time families  and/or friends have time to spend together and socialize about anything without any worries and intervening obstacles such as school, work, television, etc. Not only are you cutting time you have with spending with your family but also the workers in the stores time.

As a bargainer myself, I know that Black Friday isn`t the best day to buy necessities and gifts. Stores may say that it will be "The Biggest Sale of the Year" but it isn`t. What I have noticed is that you can actually get better deals when it`s not Black Friday. Not only can you beat the crowds but save more money and time. I have also noticed that they advertise things which are bad quality. If stores really gave those deals, they could end up bankrupt and demolished. For example, Best Buy has a deal on a 200 dollar TV. People will instantly get excited and want the TV but do they ever question themselves if it is really worth it? The brand, the quality, reviews, other features? Some do but most don`t until they find out themselves. Stores also maximize sizes of numbers (prices, percentages, etc) on flyers and minimize the words which make the most difference such as "up to". Although stores do this all the time, it is less noticeable when it is Black Friday because you think that there are suppose to be great deals. Also, the Black Friday deals are usually the same deals you will find on their online websites, plus free shipping. With the same sales and no shipping cost, this allows you to get the same things you want without wasting gas, getting trampled, and standing in line. Adding on to online deals, usually the same deals continue to go on for the whole weekend and Cyber Monday, the Black Friday for online.

People should realize the negative affects Black Friday has. The crowds of people going to malls and stores reveals our greediness and selfishness as individuals. You may experience it once or twice but after that, you should notice the patterns of what is going on. Society shouldn`t praise this day so greatly because it is worthless. Spending more time with family and getting more sleep, is the greatest bargain you could get.

http://www.cnn.com/2012/11/21/living/secret-of-black-friday/

Daylight Savings

When I was younger, my parents would tell me that we would lose an hour or gain one but I never understood what they meant and why it happened. As Daylight Savings Time approaches, I thought that it would be the perfect topic to talk about in my blog.

Daylight Savings is a yearly tradition when our clock settings move ahead one hour in the summer and then back again in the fall.  Since World War 1, Daylight Savings had come in effect not only in the United States but everywhere around the world. Germany and Austria were actually the first countries to adopt this idea because they needed to find a way to conserve fuel. Throughout the years, other countries also adopted this act, including the United States. One of the few individuals who sparked the idea was Benjamin Franklin. He thought that it would be an efficient way to limit the use of candles.

Daylight Savings hasn`t always been a tradition in the United States. In 1918, it was established but later repealed. From 1942 to 1945, the United States attempted this action again to conserve energy during World War II. After many attempts, the United States made Daylight Savings an official action in 1966, under the Uniform Time Act. This act stated that Daylight Savings would happen on the last Sunday of April and end on the last Sunday in October. Nothing had changed about Daylight Savings again until 2005. Under the Energy Policy Act, Daylight Savings time would begin at 2 A.M. on the second Sunday of March and ends at 2 a.m. on the first Sunday in November. This act also gave each state the option of taking this act in effect or not. Some states who don`t do Daylight Savings time include Hawaii and Arizona

So, what are the benefits of Daylight Savings? Back in the day, many people believed that it was beneficial for farmers since it gave them more time to work on the fields. However, others don`t think it was that beneficial. Another benefit is that it influences people to enjoy the outdoors more which includes shopping, exercising and much more since there was more time of daylight. Today, Daylight Savings Time is done for one simple reason, energy conversation.

I believe that Daylight Savings Time was a beneficial action back in the day but not today.
As advancements in our technological and other fields continue to grow, so should our options on how to save energy.

 

http://www.webexhibits.org/daylightsaving/e.html 

http://www.gizmag.com/daylight-savings-is-found-to-waste-energy/8933/

Ebola Crisis

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/17/world/africa/because-of-ebola-ambulance-work-in-liberia-is-a-busy-and-lonely-business.html?ref=world 

After watching this video on the New York Times, it really hit me that Ebola is horrifying and that we can be the next victims of this outbreak.  Some people might think that this is just a disease that will eventually have a cure and others might be clueless on what this truly is. Not everyone knows that this is reality and the truth.

What I have noticed while watching this video is the lack of protection gear helpers have. Yes, they are wearing protective wear and making sure to cleanse themselves and around but is it enough? I feel like the gear protection that they wear is too little for them to not get sick. They should wear much thicker and sturdier gear so that it is less likely for them to get contained. This does not only imply to practices in Liberia but also around the world. Wearing plastic all over your body doesn`t necessarily protect you. It may be a bit pricey to buy suitable gear but it can be worth it in the end.

I also realized that Liberia can not handle this themselves. For this virus to not spread all over the world,  countries should help out. The United States has been sending out military troops to help out but I believe that it would be more effective if they sent doctors with the right technologic devices and aid for help. It may be a risk, but you never know until you try right? If countries don`t want their own residents and citizens to get sick from Ebola, they should be helping around areas most affected, where this all began.

The fact that Liberia cannot handle this alone connects to the idea that education is important. Malala Yousafzai claims that education is first and the only key to justice and I believe that she is right. Although she was directing this claim to the idea of human rights, I think that this also implies to the spread of Ebola. If less developed countries, such as Liberia and other countries infected with Ebola, had better education opportunities, it wouldn`t have spread this dramatically. If they had more educated citizens, they possibly would have found treatments and cures by themselves. They also would have more doctors and health officials who are professionally trained and prepared. Though, it has already spread, it is never too late for leaders to take action for education opportunities in these less fortunate countries.

Community Post #1 Response: "Exposing Hidden Biases at Google to Improve Diversity"

In the article,"Exposing Hidden Biases at Google to Improve Diversity," recent studies and statistics reveal where Google stands in the topic of gender and diversity. These studies prove the gender imbalance and lack of diversity not only in Google but the majority of the big-branded companies dominating the business world. 

According to the article, seven out of ten who work at Google are male. With men taking up large percentages of these jobs, women are left with limited spots in the industry. These types of statistics probably cause women, who have the same capabilities as men, to have second thoughts about applying. Other women might feel offended and less worthy. As a female myself, I find it unfair that men are getting most of the jobs. It makes me feel like I have less chances of getting a stable job. Perhaps some men  are more advanced and skillful than I am but companies should give everyone a chance and not only base employees by their intelligence but also other factors, like "googliness".

Google is also having a problem with their underrepresentation of different races. With majority of the working force being immigrants from different places around the world, the fact that they aren`t diverse sets out a bad image of the company and signal to workers seeking employment. The question is why do they have an underrepresentation of different races? Does it just happen to be so that other races apply for these kind of jobs or an on purpose act? Whatever the reason is, in the end, companies should know that jobs aren`t favored by race but by how cooperative and well individuals do their work.

 Just like any work place, there will be obstacles to overcome and for Google it`s gender equality in their work force and diversity. In the New York Times Article, it states that Google is making attempts to fix these problems.  Stating that they are doing something to prevent these problems to occur does not cut it. Yes, they are taking workshops and other programs to increase gender and race diversity but is it really taking an effect? Statistics, opinions of workers, and other evidence could be helpful and greatly appreciated by the public but unfortunately there seems to be no outcome besides statements. 

People don`t realize it but sexism, racism, and other forms of discrimination have been occuring since the beginning. It just so happens that it increases popularity and notice throughout time. Hopefully, at one point, these problems will come to an end or the future will continue to go through complications we started.

http://www.texasenterprise.utexas.edu/2014/02/11/leadership/gender-diversity-mindset