Hunger Issues

Alaina Woods

Hunger Issues

ENC 1102

March 19, 2013           

 

“A country like America has twice as much food on its shop shelves and in its restaurants than is actually required to feed the American people.”- Tristram Stuart: The Global Food Waste Scandal

            When thinking about the amount of food wasted in America, it’s actually possible to become scared. What’s scarier than that is reflecting upon the many people that could be fed with the food that America wastes as a country. World hunger is a major issue, whether it’s political, economic, or social. It’s actually sad that America contributes to World Hunger with the large amount of food wasted.

            Even though World Hunger is included in all issues, it’s especially major in politics. This is not the major cause of hunger, but it is a huge cause of it. Experts state that countries are “destined to be hungry”, for reasons such as civil war, bad politics, or corruption. There are also allegations that nations aren’t able to afford food, due to the prices which they are sold at. It’s true that America has plenty of food, and manufactures plenty on a regular basis, but it’s not a reasonable price for the targeted countries. Even though it seems as if money is the issue, it doesn’t have anything to do with the economy, but mostly politics. Even though people are hungry because their poor, politics could address poverty and change the current state of world hunger.

            We all know that nothing in life is free, nevertheless the food we eat to nourish our bodies. That’s where the economy comes in when it comes to world hunger. There’s no doubt that America’s economic system is not one to brag about, and the economy is a major blame of world hunger. However, the money Americans spend could feed a whole village, and more. Impoverished countries “ravaged by economic policies” are at risk for food deprivation. Global warming also has a major effect on the economy, and contributes to world hunger as well. In addition, weather conditions cause the prices of certain food items to skyrockets. Oil prices have increased as well, and that puts a sore on a third-world country’s economy. That’s the major reason why there is such a decrease in the food available, which causes an increase in world hunger.

            The last major contribution to world hunger is the damaging effect of social structures. Not only does this have an effect on third world countries, it often affects industrialized countries, such as the US. The mixture of failed policies and biased social structure will result in food insecurity of countless numbers of people. World hunger is usually based upon social class, and more than often the poor are included in the statistics of world hunger. The outrageous statistics of world hunger could only be decreased by more people who control their own economic destiny, and don’t have the government choose it for them. Another major contribution to the social cause of world hunger would be small amounts of people actually willing to give to those who are hungry and not sure where their next meal will come from. It’s extremely possible to partner with charities to support the cause. If one was to partner with Gleaners Food Bank, 100,000 families worldwide would be brought of hunger. (Fighting World Hunger)

            World hunger has rapidly increased, and will continue to increase as time goes on. There are many different causes of world hunger, and there are also roots to these causes. As mentioned before, politics has a major impact on world hunger. Politics don’t strive to improve world hunger, and address poverty. Also, economics contribute to world hunger because the economy rises and don’t use the money they have to support those in poverty. Lastly, social issues increase the statistics on world hunger. World hunger is defined by social class, which basically consists of economic status. Biased social structure results in food insecurity, and the numbers continue to rise. America wastes allot of food and money, and don’t seem to realize the change that could be made if we all stood together to make a change, and feed others.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Works Cited

Kenny, Zoe. “The Economic Causes of World Hunger”.  Share The World’s Resources. October 24, 2007. Web. March 17, 2013

Porus Olpadwala. “Social Causes of Hunger” Economic and Political Weekly. Volume 28. July 3-10, 1991. March 17, 2013

“Charting A Path From Hungry To Healthy For Millions of People Worldwide”. March 17, 2013

Anup Shah. “Causes of Hunger Are Related To Poverty.” Global Issues. October 3, 2010. March 17, 2013

 

 

American Dream

Alaina Woods

ENC 1102

Social Media

March 5, 2013 

Our Own American Dream

To begin with, the American Dream speaks for itself. It’s something that all Americans dream about, and people from different cultures as well. Specifically, a dream is more than often a great experience, and something someone wants to come true. The term American Dream justifies how Americans should live, and how beautiful their lives should be. According to James Adams’ book “The Epic of America” it was stated that “life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone”(214). Many people followed this quote up, in politics, civil rights, and even in everyday life.

            To begin with, the American Dream played a big part in civil rights and activists’ belief on it. There was a black quest for the American Dream around 1963, when the famous Dr. Martin Luther King was fighting for our rights. In his “Letter from A Birmingham Jail” he expressed how African Americans should be exposed to the American Dream as well as others. He stated that when (Freedom Riders) sat down at those lunch counters “they were standing up for what was best in the American Dream and for the most sacred values in our Judeo-Christian heritage.” An imprisoned King was responding to a statement by eight Atlanta clergymen, and he was fed up with the way African-Americans were treated. It’s granted that blacks deserve to experience the American Dream, and King was a firm believer in equality.

            I believe that the American Dream played a huge part in the Civil Rights. When the American Dream was brought about in 1931, it was referring to all Americans. Whether their color is black, white, or anything else this declaration referred to us all as equals. I think around the time Civil Rights movement came about, African-Americans were just fed up with the unfair way they were treated, and they never got to see the American Dream. Colored people don’t have equal opportunity, and there have been “dramatic shifts in social welfare”(Leadership Conference) which cause African Americans to “realize civil rights”(Leadership Conference). This is not deemed as the American Dream, and Human Rights have to been brought to the courts to enable blacks to live the American Dream as well.

            As mentioned before, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a prominent figure in the civil rights movement. He fought for equality across the nation, and was very brave in everything he accomplished. Dr. King understood everyone’s beliefs, and dreams. He was a big believer in dreams, and is well known from his “I Have a Dream” speech. To Dr. King, the American Dream was a “dream yet unfulfilled”. He had hope that one day we would all live the American Dream. It’s true that in the past African-Americans were treated poorly, and not how the American Dream should have been. Even in the present, African-Americans are not given the American Dream. Granted, the American Dream is not just given to you. It’s something that is reached for, something that one sets goals for. Dr. King emphasized how important it was to follow all dreams, and that your dreams are meant to come true. The civil rights movement was a historic time period, and it ties in with the American Dream very tightly.

             The American Dream sounds so beautiful, but it is not a beautiful journey to get there. In most dreams, life seems to be better, and things seem easier. That’s how the American Dream should be, and that’s what people strive for. During the Civil Rights movement that’s what leaders, such as Dr. King strived for. When you struggle for things, such as rights and freedom, you try hard to get to a better place in reality. Many people have a dream they want to come true, and when you want something bad you fight for it. Many people look forward to their dream, and try hard to get it. The American Dream is something all Americans look forward to, and even people of different cultures. Throughout the Civil Rights Movement, the significance of the American Dream was stressed and that’s why I look up to it in such a major way.

Works Cited

Adams, James. The Epic of America. 1931. Print

Saunders, Lee. “Martin Luther King Jr., the labor movement and the American dream” The Grio. January 16, 2012. March 4, 2013

Leadership Conference, “American Dream? American Reality! A Report on Race, Ethnicity, and the Law in the United States” The Leadership Conference. January 2009. March 4, 2013

Journal 3-Digital Nation

The film digital nation was very interesting to me, and made me look at social emdia in a whole new life. As a teen, I'm totally into using technology for any and every thing; but I never knew it could be so interesting.

Journal 2

As a frequent reality show viewer, I have mixed emotions about it. Even though it may be fun to watch, it may not be the best thing. However, it still pulls me in. As a teenager, I find myself watching many different reality shows, and having different opinions. My first opinion is that the name is contradictory. Even though it’s categorized as “reality”, it’s pretty fake to me. I believe that the actors get paid millions of dollars to act like fools on national television. Don’t get me wrong, it makes it all the more intriguing. I applaud Mary Ellis-Bunim and Jonathan Murray. Inventing reality shows was a million dollar idea, and is good in many ways, as well as bad. Reality television has a bad impact on people my age, as well as older people. It doesn’t deliver the right message, and tells viewers that it’s okay to embarrass yourself. Just like video games have an impact, reality television does too. The reason I watch reality shows is to merely get entertainment, even though at time it upsets me to the point where I throw my remote. To each his own, because we all have our own opinion on reality TV. There are many different things to look at when considering one’s opinion on reality TV. It helps to pass time, and get a good laugh when you really need it. It inspires, but it also may bring one down in the worst way.

Journal 4

When I was informed that we would be given a lecture last Tuesday, I had no idea the lecture would be so engaging. Mr. Mauricio Garcia’s story inspired me in many ways, and he turned out to be a new form of motivation. Even though his dream was not planned, he never gave up. This resulted in him being a very successful man, and encouraging others to never give up. Mr. Mo was very straightforward in his lecture, and was honest with himself in order to follow his dream. The American Dream is never the same, as long as one is successful. That’s all a person expects from the American Dream. I was taught that if you really want something, you have to go and get it. It’s important to make sure you’re happy within your life, and do what’s best for you. Another thing I learned from this is that it’s always good to be involved in your learning environment. Not only will it help you meet new people, it helps one to find their self, and their passion. Student Life groups are very important while in college, and there are many experiences to be lived. I was deeply impressed when Mr. Mo announced all the people he met, and his testimony on meeting James Earl Jones was one that I’ll never forget. I think Mr. Mo’s life was very interesting, and I wouldn’t mind living one like it: full of surprises. The American Dream is only a mile away, you just have to go through a couple of long roads.

Social Media

Alaina Woods

ENC 1102

Social Media 

February 12, 2013

Attack of The Internet

“It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity”-Albert Einstein

Have you ever walked down the street and seen everybody on their phone, tablet, or even their laptop? Even though this sight is very common, it isn’t one of the best sights to see once it’s well thought about. The digital nation is rapidly expanding, and becoming more tempting everyday. I know that social media revolves around many things and topics, and often is addicting to most.  When asked my view on social media, I stand thrown. It’s true that technology has exceeded our humanity, to a point of no return.

In today’s society, every little thing is a click away. Whether it’s to check your e-mail, text your good friend, or purchase your favorite purse, you can simply use any form of technology to do so. The use of social media has increased more and more over the years, and is very common among all age groups. Also, the use of technology has become needed in the classrooms, and for many educational reasons such as random research. The need for technology is at an all-time high, and it won’t decrease anytime soon. The Digital Nation has a wide contribution from college students, who feel as if there’s a need for technology. According to an Educase study, 81% of a college population(students and faculty) rely on laptops as a most important device. Reason being, it includes valuable software, such as word processors, email, spreadsheets, etc. Even though the Digital Nation has it’s mishaps, it proves to be greatly reliable among college students.

Even though the use of social media constantly rises, many people are against it and the hazards of frequent use. In article “Teenagers and social media, doctors examine the facts”, Pat Etheridge states how pediatricians feel as if the internet is taking advantage of teaching children the necessary topics upon “health, such as aggression, sex, drugs, etc“. The technology obsessed population is referred to as Generation M2, and their lives revolve around social media. Even though I spend hours a day texting away and surfing the web on random topics, it’s surprisingly scary to me. The Digital Nation seems to take away from the things humans have the ability to do, and it often causes problems within social life. Parents feel as if they’re the reason why their child is so into technology, and would rather surf the web than read a book, rest, or go play outside.  “Being a good digital role model is part of being a good parent”, states Etheridge. The customary use of technology may have a chance of being decreased, or for better causes if parents were to set a better example.

Even though many people are against the Digital Nation, it will continue to be used by many people around the world. This is how the world stays connected, and the internet is what they live by. It’s a fact that people would rather communicate over the internet than face-to-face. Technology makes it easier to communicate with people, and sometimes improves one’s social skills. Also, the Digital Nation is very helpful within finding resources, such as jobs and post-secondary education. A prime example would be me using research to discover something I had a passion for: firefighting. The internet has many features for many people, ranging from all age groups. 

So, Einstein was right all those years ago! Technology has exceeded humanity, and it’s consumed our minds for the better and the worse. An Infographic based on social media statistics revealed that “there are more devices connected to the Internet than there are people on the Earth.” I still don’t have a side chosen when it comes to the Digital Nation, but I do know that it has positive and negative effects on people and things. The Digital Nation will continue to dominate the world, and it’s probably for the best.

Works Cited

http://www.playbeseen.com/Recent-Facts-and-Statistics.pdf

http://www.mediabistro.com/alltwitter/100-social-media-stats_b33696

http://www.digitalbuzzblog.com/infographic-social-media-statistics-for-2013/

http://www.wptv.com/dpp/news/health/teenagers-and-social-media-doctors-examine-the-facts

http://ansonalex.com/infographics/technology-usage-statistics-of-university-students-infographic/

Journal 3

Watching Digital Nation was a great experience to me, and I learned many things from it. As a teen, I'm very much for Digital Nation, and I use it for everything. However, this film showed me things about technology that I didn't even know about. I agree that there are many unnecessary things going around in the Digital Nation, but they all may be for good causes. I admit that I was shocked at how addicted people are to social media, and it kind of made me rethink the way I use my resources. The fact that people have died in in Internet Cafes was scary to me, and it took me to a gloomy mood, and I didn’t touch my computer for days. This fact opens my eyes to how serious people are about the internet. To me, technology is life. I wouldn’t put it before my own life, but I know that I couldn’t live without it. Many things couldn’t be done without the internet, and I find it extremely resourceful. Whether it’s to find a recipe, find help on my math work, or say hi to an old friend; it’s actually a good cause. The Digital Nation is very serious, for the good and for the bad. I actually find myself stuck between my view on it.