Is Race Really An Issue?

That is what I asked my students. I asked them, "Is Race Really An Issue?" Most of them said not as much as years ago. Things are looking better, they insist. Sure there might be occasional incidents, but overall racial issues have improved. I have noticed more students tend not to dwell on controversial issues or topics. It makes them uncomfortable.

We need discussions because this will help reduce problems. We need ideas because this will be applied towards solutions.

5K Walk/Run Hospital Event

I just wanted to post that several colleagues and myself completed the 5K event. It was an awesome experience. I love trying something new because it can be a new activity that I may like and continue to do.

For those of you don't know, 5K comes out to about 3.1 miles.

The event took place last Sunday at 8 a.m. It was a nice, breezy and sunny morning. Over 100 people should up for the first annual 5K Walk/Run Hospital event.

I learned several things in doing this:

• Since I like to write, doing this event reminded me of writing. You need to stay focus and concentrate on what you are doing now.
• It helps to walk or run with a buddy to help get over the miles or kilometers. You can talk about stuff. Next thing you know, the walk/run is over.
• You also need discipline. It is easy to quit in the middle of the even, if you are not used to exercising.

After I finished (by the way I placed third in my age category), I felt really energized--I wanted to do it again! I mentioned this to my colleagues. They said it was what runners had a "high", an addiction. That is one of the reasons why some keep doing these types of events and marathons.

This was my first time doing something like this, and it will not be my last time. Not only did I do this for a good cause, I also did it for myself. I gave myself a challenge, and I was able to do it. This will motivate me to stay in better shape (which is necessary for a long and healthy life).

I am truly addicted with the walk/run events. The cool thing about this was medals were given to different age groups. I saw kids as young as 10 and adults as "young" in their 70s. How awesome is that?

Let the debates begin!

Starting tomorrow and for a couple of more weeks, my students and I will be discussing stereotypes of minorities. It should be really interesting because many students do not like to talk about this in a formal setting, like an institution. I always manage to have a healthy debate on these issues. I want students to know that it is important NOT to ignore sensitive or controversial issues, but instead engage in a healthy, yet democratic discussion/debate.

First we will discuss gender issues, what are they and some stereotypes, etc, followed by race and ethnic issues, and multiculturalism education.

So for now, adios, ciao, stay tuned, shalom, salaam, aurevoir.

Oppression of the Races

Why is it that humanity doesn't learn from the past? Why is it that a group of people have face discrimination or some other form of oppression? It sickens me to see that some humans have no feeling for others. As I have stated in an earlier posts, we are afraid of the unknown, and we need feel how the "others" feel.

Here is a list of different ethnic groups that faced some kind of mass oppression in the past and present. This is not an alphabetical order. Just a list running through my head.

• African slavery in the west
• Holocaust
• Palestinian uprisings/Intifada
• Bosnia genocide
• Rwanda genocide
• Kosova genocide
• Iraqi civilians
• Afghanistan's civilians

I am sure this is not a complete list. If you know of any more, comment and I can update this post. I will be glad to do this, so that maybe, just maybe we will take our role as humans seriously.