Racial Tension

Unfortunately, honestly totally unfortunately, I was unable to see the racial panel because I was out of town. I was really looking forward to it. However, I really enjoyed the number of discussions we had about race last week. The video we watched on the case and riots were really eye opening. As we discussed in class, I found it really interesting to think about it from the rioter's perspective. I talked about it with my mom at home afterwards and it is so true, that although, as a white teenage girl living in an affluent area, I think what the black people did was crazy and uncalled for and so dangerously far. When I stop and think about what they were facing, it honestly makes sense. How else would they be able to progress forward and improve their situation. If they just spoke, there would be little to no action taken and their would still be policemen beating them up for no reason and judges and juries ruling against their favor. I think that race was a very interesting topic to study because it is something that we all deal with and experience everyday no matter our skin color, especially in the melting pot of the United States.

LGBTQ

A few weeks ago a panel of LGBTQ students came to speak with our class. I think that this panel was a really fabulous idea and I am sad I was unable to attend the race panel that occurred today. This was a really great idea to expose students to the thoughts, feelings, and experiences of different sexualities. As students at Stevenson High School, I think we are very comfortable in our own routine and very focused on ourselves and our academic lives, rarely taking the time to step outside of our own boundaries to consider the lives of people outside our friend group. Personally, I try to always be inclusive and kind, but I really didn't know much about this specific part of our population, nor do I come into contact with many of them. Hearing the events in their lives that have shaped them into who they are today was very touching, especially hearing the struggles they had to go through with their parents, family, and friends, as well as the everyday difficulties they have with bathrooms, locker rooms, etc. What was nice to hear, on the other hand, was the relief they felt when at Stevenson, with the exception of the bullies one might find in the hallway. Learning about their lives really taught me a lot more and increased the respect I have for these people. This really strengthened my perspective as a student from a very religious christian family, and living with my 90+ year old grandparents (who are very traditional and stuck in their ways and complete disdain all LGBTQ people). Living in a more liberal age and area, I think it is important for us to expand our horizons and step outside of our comfort zone.

The Mother's Trust Foundation

My mom has worked with the Mother's Trust Foundation for a long time. It is an organization out of Lake Forest that raises money and collects donations to give to underpriviledged families. A few years ago the organization opened up a teen section to contribute to donations and fundraisers. I began volunteering with them last year. Every year, the teen section runs a coat drive in December and a baby item drive in the Spring. As the only memer who lives in Long Grove, I opened up my own sector of the teen drive. Last Saturday I completed the spring drive, dropping off a toyota highlander full of items collected from various locations around Long Grove and Buffalo Grove, including St. Mary's Church, Reverie Dance Academy, and the Peppermint Stick. The items collected for this drive were donated to mothers in Lake and Cook County who had children between teh ages of 0-2 years old who are unable to provide for their children. Although I wasn't able to meet the mothers and children receiving this aid, the amazing thing about our coat drive is that I am able to meet the families receiving the winter apparrel items.
In the winter coat drive, what really was amazing to me was the gratitude I saw from people of all ages. I witnessed young girls jump with excitement when they saw a dirty, old pair of boots and warm, dry socks. Although I am not in a great inancial situation, especially compared to the majority of Stevenson, I was really able to gain a new perspective overwhat I do have. Most of the people there were people of color and the teenagers I saw probably went to a bad high school. Unlike me, who has the opportunity, drive, and support to work hard in my jobs and in school, they have very different support systems and role models. I really, really enjoyed this experience, meeting people of all different ages, races, ethnicities, and religions. People of all different walks of life who ended up in the same situation. It is really worth the hard hours and multiple phone calls to find places that will hold change and collection jars.

Sunday School

This Sunday I volunteered at my church, leading a youth group of ages 4-5. Every Sunday I volunteer with these children, teaching them about the Bible and the Lord, watching them grow. Because it is at a church the people, both young and old, are all Christian. It is, however, a nondenominational church, so the people are off all different sects of Christianity: Catholic, Protestant, Lutheran, etc. As a Youth leader I work with children and other adults. The people I work with are of all races and ethnicities. I ignore all of the skin colors and unique features that surround me, trying to include everyone whether they are in my group or not. Before church actually stops there is about 30 minutes where all the children have a time to play and interact with eachother. This is a really nice time for the children to meet others and to get to know other children from different areas and of different races. As a chaperone/facilitator/leader, I try to look for the kids that are playing alone or isolating themselves from others. If I see any children alone, I invite them to play with me and a few other children. The most rewarding part is as the children begin to play and interact in depth I am able to back away from them and watch as they form new friendships and strenghen bonds.
I volunteer as a church leader for 2 hours, and the drive one way is 30 minutes. That makes my voluneer service 3 hours every sunday. I don't mind this time spent in church because, first I don't mind being in church, but also because I truly love the relationships I have developed with the children I teach. I love working with children, all 5 of my paying jobs are doing something with children, but doing this on my own time and really having the ability to get to knonw the children all around, not just through their school work or in dance class, is a real treat. It is a really wonderful experience to get to know them in a peaceful atmosphere.