Community

Community: ___________________________________________________________

To begin visualizing this group of people as a particular shape with particular functions and characteristics, Pre-write about this community. If you get stuck or aren’t sure what to write, answer some of the questions below and see where they take you:

· Who are the members of the community? How do they interact? What is central to their membership? Do members choose to be a part of this community or are they members because of other reasons (geography, ethnicity, religion, etc.)

· What are the community’s characteristics? Its benefits? Its disadvantages? Its successes? Its problems?

· What do you enjoy about the community? What do you dislike about it?

I am a part of a community called Umoja, (a Kiswahili word meaning unity). Our mission is that we are a community and critical resource dedicated to enhancing the cultural and educational experiences of African American and other students. We believe that when the voices and histories of students are deliberately and intentionally recognized, the opportunity for self-efficacy emerges and a foundation is formed for academic success. Umoja actively serves and promotes student success for all students through a curriculum and pedagogy responsive to the legacy of the African and African American Diasporas. I however Am I member through the Napa Valley College program in with we had to participate in four classes so that we would build our community on and off campus. We host events, dinner, plays and much more. We go out to inform others about us and what we represent as well and team up city, state and national. Umoja goes on yearly camping trips and run meetings so that we all stay o the same page. I no longer attend Napa Valley College but I am still a part of the community. I took all four classes which does mean that I have graduated the educational aspect and now I shadow the new members at events and functions. I enjoy every part of what we do and will continue to support my community.

Module one, in closing.

What are some of the things you learned about yourself as a student or a professional in Module I? Did you surprise yourself in any way? Were you proud of yourself? Were you at all disappointed in yourself? Why?

In module one in felt like things were sort of dragging just because it was the beginning and it disappoint me. I like to get in and get things rolling, challenge me. It seemed like we were taking baby steps for no reason. I was slacking on doing some assignments. I’ve only ever missed one assignment and it was in Business Communication but overall I was slacking because I wasn’t being challenged. I am disappointed in myself though, because my internship may be slow or boring but I’m going to have to find a way to get through it and get through it happily. I did surprise myself in the end of the 7 weeks when I received the core values award. I didn’t see it coming. I knew that every day I was here on time and participating as much as I could but, I suppose I wasn’t aware to the fact that I was doing more than just that in the eyes of my instructors and other staff. That right there was a proud moment and I plan to do it again. What I learned about my professional skills in module one was that I do them well. I have not received much feedback about my pro-skills and will continue to keep it that way.

Who Am I? Why, I am a Bay Area Girl Of Course!

To what extent does a person’s neighborhood shape who she or he is?

Write a post on your blog- 300-350 words- in which you talk about your surroundings and how this environment has affected you as a person:
Briefly describe your neighborhood.
Which statement best fits you and why?
I am who I am because of the neighborhood I live(d) in.
I am who I am despite the neighborhood I live(d) in.

I believe that we are all a product of our environment. It amuses me how people like to pretend that they are too good to be from what they were born. I know a lot of people that are brought up in a hostile environment who soon grow up to become the same way. If you just take a look around your neighborhood you will see that everyone either dresses’ the same, acts the same or speaks the same and it is purely environmental. It all stems from people being around for so long picking up each other’s habits and it's like a cycle, everyday all day. I've witnessed it in my old neighborhood and I am now witnessing it in my current neighborhood. A lot of individuals do the same things and it's because they are constantly seeing these actions so they unconsciously copy them. I am trying not to do this myself, be a part of my already stereotyped environment. Some neighborhoods and environments are branded negatively and it shames you to be a part of it. However, I am satisfied with my neighborhood but I refuse to join the propaganda because I act completely opposite from everyone I live around and I'm proud to be different.

To answer the question at the top of the page, I am who I am because my previous neighborhood taught me how to be original. I pride myself on being different and somewhat weird. I love every part of my awkwardness. It defines who I am. I am a Bay Area girl, born and raised.

In my opinion most of the companies and corporations around today are doing nothing but exacerbating the opportunity divide. They are under the impression that it is okay to treat people, citizens of the United States this way. Mothers and father without homes and their children without food, what are they to do? They are not helping but hurting our society. So many people in the United States alone are struggling to make ends meet every month and on top of debt they may already have these companies are just adding to their bills and depression. Not enough people in the corporate world today do their research when it comes to who can handle what's being given to them, and most do not even care. Car companies will drive bills down your throat and not think twice about whether or not you can even pay them or how mentally prepared you even are to handle such a huge load like that, especially for teenagers.

I find that in my opinion I hold the government accountable for never stepping up and defending the down and outs. No one ever looks out for the individuals who don't have the resources to do better than circumstances. Too many young adults and even elders are being duped and bamboozled because they are not being taught about their finances or the things they should look out for when shopping for major things like cars and houses. It is nothing but a shame, the world we live in now and I have no faith in the system that things will get better. Nor do I hold faith for our government to succeed in stopping the opportunity divide. It is up to us as the new generation to fulfill our duties and recreate the society we want to live in.

Just Enough

I am African American, Creole, Barbadian and whatever else runs between the veins of my family tree. I am 19 years young and I reside in San Francisco, California, Bernal Heights district. I am proud of who I am because I know who I am but I am also proud because I am not sure exactly who I want to be yet. I know I want to inspire people. I want people to feel what I'm feeling when they hear me speak or when they view my movements. I am an Artist. I write, play, read and sing music. I am music. From the sway of my hips to the wave of my hand I am original. I do not seem nor do I wish to be anyone I am not. I am mysterious. So in college I am a double major in music and criminal justice. I love the suspense and mystery of being a crime scene investigator. I can not stomach death nor am I one to attend funerals. So seeing empty faces and soulless bodies on my job my frighten me but I will work at it because I want that. I believe in defining my own success. I Will not let anyone do that for me. I am a leader because I choose to be. I Was once in band and a Cheerleader in which I stood up and exceeded expectations in both. I became captain of the Cheerleading team after making varsity my freshman year, not too many can do that. And I was also the first girl, colored at that, to be on the high school percussion line my freshman year also. So I strive. Period. And will continue to do so until my heart stops. I hope that gives you enough or at least a little about me.