Ritersblok's Weblog

Week 15: Beliefs

ritersblok — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 20:10:09 +0000

I have let go many many beliefs from my influences. For starters I was raised in a strict Army and Christian household. I was raised thinking in order to be sucessful you have to go to college. On my own I found other talents that I could fall back on if college doesn’t work. I was raised thinking people who got in trouble with the law are the worst to be around. But today many people I know have gotten involved in criminal acts. Instead of judging people I try to understand why my friends had to do what theyhad to. As far as the media goes I don’t watch any videos or new shows. I feel the media will try to rip out all self esteem by telling me what I should look, dress, and act like. I refuse to process any of it. My own process of inquiring ideologies is to ask God for guidance and see what interests me. I love to look different by not matching clothes. I love to watch different movies than the youth. I would prefer to watch Betty Davis than Hancock. I prefer Gladys Knight over Soulja Boy. I choose to be different becaise I feel trends and even mindsets will keep changing over period of times. I don’t think it’s fair ot adjust each time.

Week 14: Black Identity

ritersblok — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 19:42:20 +0000

I think Black Identiy is learned. There are certain things I learned growing up about expectations of a black person. Black people are expected to do certain things like be good dancers, athletes, and enjoy chicken. I don’t feel anything is innate as far as ethnicity goes. I read about the Tower of Bable in the Bible. I honestly think we are all the same. How can we be born differently because of our ethnic backgrounds?? I’m black I was born black and I was born not knowing my race. Therefor I don’t think we knew by instinct what our race was and what we should be. It is all learned behavior passed down from ages ago and stereotypes.

Week 13: Child Washing Hands

ritersblok — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 18:12:49 +0000

At first I did not understand this quote but I took it to mean that there is no significant difference between children and kings. Maybe this quote is saying how smart children actually are. Or it could be saying how ignorant kings are. If a child washes their hands they can eat with the kings. When a child washes his hands it implies that they have been getting dirty or playing as little boys do. I also noticed the quote is masculine. Perhaps they are saying at any time in a boy’s life is he is ready to mature then he can become a king.

Week 12: What energizes me

ritersblok — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 17:44:32 +0000

I am mostly energized my going home to see freinds and family. It reminds me of why I went away to college in the first place. My family is very affectionate and they tell me how they are happy with my decisions. That motivates me to continue or to either do better. I love my family but that is not the only thing that motivates me. At church I have time to get away from the campus area and be around my church family. At church I frequently hear other people’s testimonies or sad stories. I listen to them and realize my stress is much more unimportant. I become grateful because things could be much worse for me. This motivates to show God I appreciate him and I keep doing good.

Week 11: Adults

ritersblok — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 17:35:49 +0000

What makes someone an adult is not there age. What makes someone an adult is how responsible they are. I am legally an adult but I don’t support myself. In my mind I don’t feel like I am an adult. An adult is someone who has self control, some sort of income, their own home, and transportation. If someone is in their mid 30′s and is still working to achieve things, then they are on the same level as a 18 year old college student. I know many “adults” who are still in high school. Unitl you have reached your goal in life you’re not an adult because society won’t respect you.

Week 10: Advise and Counsel

ritersblok — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 17:24:43 +0000

This quote means to me that in helping other people there are limits. My mother always said you can only help someone who wants help. If the person doesn’t adhere to advice and counsel then that person is hard headed and has to learn it for themselves. Adversity is anything that makes something harder, any strife. For example my parents advised me to not overload myself as a First Year Student. During my first few weeks I exceeded my credit hours. I couldln’t handle the hours while still trying to enjoy my first year. That was my adversity because I did not listen.

Week 9: Power

ritersblok — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 01:50:58 +0000

In my opinion power is when you have earned the right to be looked up to. Ever since I was younger I have carried alot of power. I’m not sure if I always deserved or even if I was mature enough to handle it. One way or another when you get power whether you are ready or not you have to get on that level or else you’ll be a bad leader. I would say my high school days had a lot of power. I was the school president. It was so difficult to reach out to so many different types of people. I had to make sure the students had fun while staying focused. I had to always implement new activities to keep them interested in school. And I took my job quite seriously. The hardest part was my time management. I also was a student trying to graduate and come to Spelman. Mnay times I wish I hadn’t the power and to just drop down to where all the other students were. But then I remember things happen for a reason and I would see how the students depended on me. Being in power means you have some sort of obligation to fill. If you do not handle your obligation then I feel you lack leadership.

Week 8: Black Identity

ritersblok — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 01:43:55 +0000

I feel black identity is becoming more inclusive. It is becoming more and more popular. Black identity is so popular that even other ethnicities imitate it. In the Atlanta area Blacks are a huge population so the “ways” are more prominent. I am not sure if it is positive. I think by people representing blacks is always a good thing. It brings more supporters to the cause. But the problem is some people misrepresenting black culture. I think another problem with black inclusiveness is when one black person does something bad the whole race has to suffer. One example the mayor of DC has relations outside of his marriage. It reflects upon the race as a whole. On the other hand when something goes well such as Barack Obama running for President, we all look glorious. I suppose you will always have fanaticism and that is where alot of the issues also come from. Some people over do the race card to the extent where no one else can use it. For example a bad student gets suspended from school and blames it on race multiple times. When a good student gets suspended and it is actually because of race, no one listens. I think being black is a gift and a curse.

Week 7: Goals

ritersblok — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 18:48:00 +0000

The goal that I may never accomplish would be to be wealthy and independent. I don’t have any intention of getting married. I have always been told to make a way on my own. I am afraid that something will happen to me perhaps after my undergrad years. I am struggling now financially and I don’t see it getting any better because I am still under my parents. If I do make it to Law School then I know I will be fnancially able. But as for the transition to Law School I am concerned that Imay have to take a break in between. Yes,many people do take breaks in between and go back to grad school but everyone I know never returns and ends up regretting it. My major is Political Science so it is fairly easy for me to seek guidance from the advisors here at Spelman and Lord willing all goes well.

Week 6: Oprah vs Tyra

ritersblok — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 18:21:15 +0000

Oprah Winfrey and Tyra Banks are both extremely successful black women in the media. In many ways now that I think about it Tyra Banks emulates Oprah Winfrey as far as acting and being a talk show host. Oprah had more of an effect on our race because she started earlier as the first black woman. She produces movies. Tyra acted in movies. Oprah is more of an owner. She is more respected than Tyra. Tyra is respected for her beauty like Top Model. Tyra is the spokesperson for alot of high fashion especailly for taller of african american woman. However Oprah is respected by all different people. The older crowd loves Oprah just as the younger crowd loves Tyra. Both women do alot for the community and to fight poverty and disease in third world countries. I have no doubt in my mind that in a couple of years Tyra will be the new Oprah.