Embrace Yourself!

Media has helped people in many ways but has media helped our soul? Self esteem, is influenced by everything that matters to us for example our parents, teachers, and media.. yes media too! theres been studies that have shown that media influences a child just as much as parents do. Believe it or not, media has an important role in developing a child's self esteem. As i've interviewed people for my creative project, I've come to realize that this is true most of the people that I've interviewed have said that media has impacted the way they think about themselves and the way they viewed things.  

Taking Action

                                                               Girls Inc. of Lynn 
As part of my self esteem project, I have decided to volunteer at the Girls Inc. of Lynn. Today was my first  interview with the volunteer coordinator, and within the next week I'll be able to start my volunteer work. I'll be participating on mondays from 4pm to 6pm by helping the girls out, with their homework. I'll also be volunteering in a workshop that is dedicated to helping girls build self confidence, and set their own identity apart from the messages that media creates. The girls get the message program a media literacy program which teaches girls to analyze the media and its effect on girls and women so they can resist the pressure to live up to unrealistic and some times unhealthy expectations put on girls.  

Preparing our Kids for a Better World

     Self-esteem is the development of a sense of self. It is one’s physical, emotional, social, intellectual and educational traits. It is said that self-esteem is one of the most important development task of adolescence. It helps kids understand who they are, and sculpts them into confident individuals. Over the years self-esteem among youth has dropped, making low self-esteem a very common issue within today’s youth. The youth are our future; they are the foundation to a better world, in ordered to live in a better world we must educate kids and help sculpt them into strong and confident individuals. By ignoring this issue we are not only affecting kids, but we are also harming ourselves.

      Media has had a lot to do with this drastic change. Although media has had a positive outcome with society it has been proven that media has effected society by projecting a stereotype for both men and women in appearance as well as, body weight. This causes, kids to become ashamed of themselves which, ultimately leads to change in personality, just to fit in it with the crowd. Two other contributing factors to this social problem are, Mental, or physical abuse, such as taunting or bullying. Kids who are victims of bullying in younger years repeat the cycle of bullying, usually because they are trying to make themselves feel better by belittling others. However, this does not help boost their self-esteem, if anything it only makes them lonelier by estranging others from them. Also lack of relationships with peers, and traumatic childhood memories play a role in developing low self-esteem. For example, during a traumatic divorce, an adolescent may experience hurt from the inflicted on either parent causing the child’s self-esteem to go down and be an impediment to a future intimate relationship. Lack of affection from parents or family members also lowers children’s self-esteem. Kids tend to believe if their parents are not able to love them, than who will.  

    Ultimately, bullying, lack of affection, and media will trigger many negative and unhealthy behaviors in youth because, a child with low self-esteem will usually suffer from depression. Making the child’s feelings of worthiness, failure, and shame intensify. As low confidence increases, the possibility of rebellious acts increases as well. Such as running away from home or talking about running away. Also, substance abuse is effect from low self-esteem, teens are mostly at risk in using drugs and alcohol as an attempt to “self medicate” their frustration, and depression. However, substance abuse weakens an individual, making them more vulnerable to end up in addiction. These are usually signs of cry for help.

      Low confidence can also cause a child to have low energy, and concentration difficulties, leading to poor attendance, grades, and behavior at school. Eating disorders are also generated by low self-esteem. Girls are typically the ones inflicted with eating disorders like, anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating but certainly not the only ones subject to these disorders. Most eating disorders start with appearance insecurities, which are usually due to stereotypes projected by media. Violence in kids is also another behavior that kids endure when, under low self-esteem. Self-injuries, such as cutting, burning, suicide and other kinds of self-mutilation are also associated with depression and some sort of low confidence.

     If this problem is not readdressed, the consequences will intensify, causing a weaker and less productive world. Self-esteem is the fundamental building block of an individual’s performance. In order, to potentially have successful doctors, scientists, and lawyers we need to make sure our kids are ready to take on that role by increasing their self-esteem.

    There are various ways to preventing the cycle of low self-esteem.  Although we’ll never be able to completely prevent media from projecting what they want, there are other ways to help avoid a child from viewing these images and shows. For example, limiting the amount of sexual content, and violence kid’s watch will help turn kids away from, the importance media tries to portray in certain stereotypes. This can be done by blocking, adult rated channels or, limiting the amount of time a child watches television. Increasing a child’s outdoor activities will make a child want to spend more time outside rather than indoors watching TV. Setting up a bedtime for kids will also prevent kids from watching adult shows that are given late at night.

     Setting up outside school programs will also help increase a child’s self-esteem. This will help children find comfort outside of their homes and schools, which will prepare them for the real world. Also by interacting with other kids, the will live a healthier social life and be less likely to feel lonely. Spending time and connecting with other adults will make kids feel secure, and loved. Children who tend to look up to a specific individual in their life will be less likely to develop rebellious behaviors because they want to be like their role models, or shine for their role models.

   Kids start to develop an understanding for who they are from k-6^th grade, if schools were to provide self-esteem or self-evaluation classes kids would be more likely to understand who they are at a younger age making them less vulnerable to the effects of media, bullying, and teasing. Classes could provide talks and speeches on confidence, and the effects that media could have on one if, followed. The class could also, provide show and tells, and talent shows which would, provide kids with a broad amount of  knowledge on things that matter to them the most, and it will also expose their hidden talents. Classes should set up different work stations with four or less different kids each day. This will allow kids to interact with other students aside from their groups of friends, and minimizing the amount of kids in each group will allow them to get to know one another more which, will mostly likely, make them gain mutual respect for one another. Class days with, parents involved should also be part of the school curriculum. Making parents a part of the kids education, will not only make a child closer to their parents but it will also give the child a sense of importance which, always tends to boost child self-esteem.

If these solutions are to be implanted within our society not only will we minimize the amount of kids with low self-esteem but increase the productiveness in society. Confident individuals will become leaders of a better and happier world, only if this issue is not ignored anymore.

Medias influence

Over years now, Media has had a great influence on youth. Media sends out a message of the stereotypical person were suppose to be. As, Critley Lynn King said in the Body image: questions, issues and answers article, this effects our youth with the way they respond to life and their confidence. I completely agree with what Lynn king, wrote in the article because I do feel like media has a way of portraying an image for people to follow or live up to.

Medias stereotypes has had a huge impact on the life's of the kids in America even though, Body image and low self esteem is a Worldwide issue, media in the  US has made much more harm to youth than anywhere else. With even, celebrities like for example, Britney Spears, or Miley Cirus, whom kids look up have set an example of sex and body image. Medias affects on kids and their body image has gotten way out of hand and has to be readdressed.   

Define Self confidence in your Own Style

                                                           Define Your Style

   Growing up I always dreamt of one day being able to fill my closet with designer clothing, Dolce, Gucci, Prada, Versace etc., but who hasn’t dreamed of designer clothing? We’re all guilty of this. People always seem to forget what true style is, and misinterpret it with their designer wishes, or fashion dreams. Style isn’t about the amounts of money we spent on a dress, or on a pair of heels. Style is about our personality, comfort, and imagination all wrapped into one. Style is what defines us; it’s our personality and confidence shining through our appearance. It’s a form of expressing our inner selves.

    Nowadays people get caught up with what media says we’re supposed to wearing. Today more often than ever, we’re told how to buy the right jeans, to diminish our lower back or, what shirt to wear to reduce our curves. Style is about Confidence, it’s being able to wear whatever you like without having to think if your bottom looks too big.

      We’ve all heard it “the top ten latest fashionable trends”. People, Vanity Fair, Cosmopolitan etc. all these magazines, and other forms of media always lead people on to believe that the latest trend is style. It seems like the art of creating our own style has been forgotten and replaced with a dictatorship of fashionable trends but what does trendy clothes says about us? I have class, I have money, I only shop label clothing. Somewhere along the lines we’ve all followed the crowd because, we find it easy to fit in, or it makes it easier to pick out an outfit, but trendy clothing only makes people lose their true identity behind all the glam and designer clothing. On the other hand, Finding your own style and, projecting yourself through your clothes can be a lot more complicated, but when you create yourself without following guidelines that’s the moment you become stylish.

     Looking back, I was a lot more stylish then, than now. I would wear what I felt comfortable in. There was something in wearing the overly baggy sweatpants or my loose ripped jeans with my comfortable puma shoes that made me feel good about myself. It was my clothes that did the talking for me, they told the story of a young, carefree, full of life girl. Now as I look at myself, I see how much I’ve changed, but I also see how my style has been influenced by my past, present, and everything else that lies ahead of me. My style is embedded in every single little piece of thread of the clothing I own.

     The most important part about style is about being able to feel free and expressing who you are. Style is wearing what you want to wear. If mixing and matching a Prada jacket with Nike shoes is your style then wear it with no shame. There’s nothing more stylish than being yourself. Make an impression and, do it with style.

Problems Facing Todays Youth

Children are influenced by parents, and people whom they look up to and it is said that media influences kids just as much as parents, educators, and professionals do. Today’s youth face many problems, because of how media portrays sex, body image, and appearance. This causes children to hide their true personality and become ashamed of whom they are. This can ultimately lead to lack of confidence and, low self esteem in children.

     Low self esteem can affect a child from reaching their full potential and, affects their performance in school as well as, in social groups. Children k-6, are at risk the most because it is through this age that kids start to build a healthy and strong self esteem and, children throughout this age range are also a lot more vulnerable to judgment. 

     Children are the foundation to a healthy and, happy environment. With strong and confident individuals, the world will be a better place. I believe good principals of confidence should be taught to children because, if the children of our nation are confident in themselves they’ll be able to reach their full potential, and they’ll also be able to confront and surpass the conflicts that life faces them with. Children should be our main concern when it comes to making a better world because, children are our future.
    

Being the change: Initiation

        Preparing our kids of Today for Tomorrow

Our world depends on our children and, its our responsibilities to help sculpt the youth into independent, confident, and strong individuals. The circumstances that life at times confronts children with, can lead to lack of confidence and, low self esteem in kids because of this, children do not always live up to their full potential. There are many ways to prevent these things from happening. I believe that with volunteering at different organizations that support kids, for example the Boys and Girls club or, the youth center it will help us understand where these kids are coming from. It will also, allow us to form a relationship with the kids and make it easier for kids to open up. Motivative speeches and conversations about embracing ourselves will help kids become more comfortable and confident in their own skin and, in who they are.

Voting!?

My Thoughts on Voting..

Voting is a disillusion. Voting is equivalent to renouncing to spiritual, mental, and emotional freedom. When people vote, they expect a change, they expect government to change it's ways for us and, they start to believe in these so called "better days to come". However years and years of proof have shown us that government and politics don't make much of a change. You see government is a big lie, they let us believe what we want to believe and, only let us see what they want us to see. People believe, that voting solves all the problems to government, but the truth is that voting has no influence on a changed government. When people vote the only thing that changes is the man who now gets to live in the big fancy white house. It does matter who we vote for, government is, was, and will always stay in power. They promise us jobs, tax cuts, better health care but what do they give us? Nothing. They promise us what they steal from us. So why vote, why fill ourself up with a false illusion of change, why should we support government when all they do is lie to our face?   

(Watch video below for a far better explanation of the false about voting)

True News 5: The Truth About Voting

Rights&Responsiblities

Elections!

Election day is one of the most anticipated day for people who are into presidential elections and are affiliated with politics, but do they know the different types of elections and the order in which they go in? There are two different types of elections the general and primary elections. The general election is an election to fill the public offices.  Generally the primary election, is the election in which voters get to choose the candidates for each party. However, the primary elections are broken down into four categories. The first primary election is, open primary, in this election voters can vote for the candidates of each party. Closed primary, is only for registered party members. The closed primary election is designed to avoided people of different parties to influence the nomination of an opposing partys candidate. Run-off primary election, takes place only if no candidate gets the majority of votes. Lastly, the most important and waited election, the presidential primary, helps to pick the nominated candidate for major parties.  

Being The Change

                                                                        Embrace Yourself!

Being the change, when I hear those words I believe anyone can make a change in their own life or in the life of others, but what always keeps us away from doing that is our self esteem, and lack of confidence. That's why something I would love to work on is to improve our world by helping people feel comfortable with who they are, whether thats embracing who you are, or changing something of yourslef that you dont like. I would mainly like to work with kids because I feel like media and society puts a lot of pressure on young kids, and the kids of today is what America depends on to make a better country.   

The Black Civil Rights Movement

Freedom Now Suite

Abbey Lincoln & Max Roach

     Music always seems to plays an important role in history and in 1960 during the civil rights movement musicians throughout the country wanted to add their voice to the movement. while rallies, protest, marches, and sit-ins were taking place by the common people, musicians were busy composing songs that voiced the demand of equality.

     Freedom Now Suite, by Max roach and Abbey Lincoln was one of the first jazz albums recorded during the Black Civil Rights Movement. In attempt to reach people through their music with a message of hope, equality, and unity. in their album, one song stands out the most,  Freedom Day. In the song, the beat of the percussion, and the soft notes of the piano draped with the sounds of the, trombone and saxophone gives the melody, Freedom Day, a tone of hope and happiness, but it's the powerful voice of Miss Abbey lincoln that sets a deep and meaningful message. That freedom day is near.

     Throughout the song Abbey sings "Whisper, listen, whisper, listen. Whispers say we're free. Rumors flyin', must be lyin'. Can it really be?" the rumor to which Lincoln is referring to is about African Americans gaining equality. then the song goes on to say "Freedom Day, it's Freedom Day. Throw those shackle n' chains away. Everybody that I see says it's really true, we're free." I believe Abbey Lincoln and Max Roach wrote this to make people believe in better days to come. It was a song that was meant to keep thousands of African Americans strong and fighting for what they believed in.

     Theres so much power in Music that allows us to reach others and, gives us the ability to change someones else's perception on different ideas. The power of meaningful songs helps us connect with others. As Max Roach and Abbey Lincoln did in their song Freedom Day, were I believe they reached many blacks, as well as whites, who probably did not agree with the message being sent across.  

Click here to listen to song --->> Freedom Now Suite

In Response to SantaisaNinja "Middle class" Blog

Santaisa, I understand where John Schnieder is getting this idea from, with todays economy and recession we have nothing to think but the worst. However, if you don't remember in 1929 the United States hit the great depression and thousands of families were affected, by having no jobs and, being homeless. Although those were hard times, the United States always seems to surpass everything. With that lesson America has learned to always be prepared for the worst. I'm pretty sure that the Goverment has many programs set up, just incase if we ever get to that point. So Santaisa, is the economy something to worry about, yes, but I don't think it will get that bad even in a very long time.

To view click here - - - ->>  view Santaisa blog    

The Woman's Movement

                                                "theres a young woman who swallowed a lie"                              
                                          "There was a young Woman who swallowed a lie"
                                                                       by Tax Meridith.

Woman have always been told to be the best they can be, that is, the best wife and mother. It seems like from the moment were born our life's are already planned out for us. Although woman have overcome many obstacles overtime and have left their marks on history. It seems like people just can't get over the stereotype of the perfect wife and mother.

 Tax Meridith, a member of the Woman's Liberation Movement, does a great job at interpreting the lie that woman live in an illustrated satirical poem, "There was a young Woman who swallowed a lie". In this poem, Meridith starts out by showing how woman are brainwashed and taught at a young age to serve and take care of others. As the poem progresses the girl gets married and has kids. Later on, does she realize that she is miserable and has kept living a lie so, she decides to leave it all and go live her life.

Throughout the poem, the idea of woman having to look and be a certain way is repeatedly shown. The poem sends out a message to show women how they are viewed more of an object than a human being. As Meridith wrote "there's a young woman who swallowed a ring, looked like a princess but felt like a thing." Also on the fourth page theres an illustration of a guy who tells a girl "I like em' dumb babe, you suit me fine" and the girl responds "lucky me" and on the next page, the girl appears to be taking a birth control pill instead of not having sex with the guy. These illustration show how easily woman are manipulated.

As a woman, I believe this poem tells us the truth of how sometimes men might view us as object. Sometimes I don't think men truly value us for what we are. Yes some women do get married and have kids but our life has so much more of a purpose then to be a breeder and a cooking and cleaning machine. However, I don't think woman are taught to serve and take care of others. The women of today are a lot stronger and out spoken than before and don't only live for others, unless if thats what they want. Women were once girls that had hopes and dreams that didn't settled on getting married and having kids.

Speaking Freely to Make America

"If the Mosque isn't built, this isn't America" posted, the Oscar and Emmy-winning director, Michael Moore on huffingtonpost.com on September 11, 2010. Over the last few months there has been several debates on wether or not there should be a Mosque built in Manhattan two blocks away from ground zero. For those of you that don't know what Ground Zero is, it's a monument to remember those who were a victim of the tragic 9/11. On the other hand, Michael Moore wants the Mosque to be built on ground Zero because he believes in a "America that protects those who are the victims of hate and prejudice."

 Michael Moore gives far more explanations of why the mosque should be built and I completely agree with him. America has always been seen as a free country, now wether the muslim community wants to build a Mosque two- hundred miles away from ground zero or two blocks away they should have all the right to do so. We all have to realize that the people who hijacked the planes on 9/11 were ignorant people, who used their religion as an excuse to act cowardly. That doesn't mean that we should punish the rest of the Muslim people for a certain group of them. Now, if the killers cared about their religion and their people, they probably wouldn't have killed nearly five dozen Muslims in the World Trade Center on 9/11. That just goes to show you that what happened on 9/11 had nothing to do with religion so, why should America hate the muslim religion.

It makes no sense to me how a country can call itself free if the people of it's own country cannot even practice their own religion. If America does not allow the construction of the Mosque in ground Zero not only is America depriving its people from their rights. This will also cause a division between the American people instead of bringing us closer together. The  Muslim people are not our enemies they are just as much of a victim as we are, probably even more so because their identity and religion was stolen from them.

click here to view article http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-moore/if-that-mosque-isnt-built_b_713127.html

Welcome to Generate Your Voice Blog spot!

                                      Speak up! Bring Your Voice into Existence!

Everyone has an opinion, an idea, a voice and, everyone has the right to speak up. Unfortunately not everyone stands up for what they believe in. It's society that sometimes shuts us down when we want or believe in something the most but the truth is, that no matter how much society tries to shut us down we should always stand firm. Generate your voice, bring it into existence, share your thoughts and views on political and, social issues because it's the everyday people who really count and make the difference. As you can all tell I'm a very open minded and outspoken person, who's trying to reach out to people and make a change. In Generate your voice blogspot, I will be sharing my thoughts and views on about just anything and everything that is going on today from political to social issues. You are all welcomed to share your thoughts and comments too.