JOMC 441 A Field Trip to the Women's Center

I have been past the Carolina Women's Center dozens of times, but until today had never stepped through its doors. It wasn't that I wasn't interested in women's issues or feminism or anything like that, because I am, but I never had a specific reason to visit.

The Center itself is pretty modest-- a few offices for directors, a meeting room, and a small cozy library-- but you can tell a lot of big things happen there. First, there are directors and associates who all specialize in different subjects. Dr. Fogle, the head director, concentrates on the issue of human trafficking, and there are other center leaders who specialize in gender identity issues, pregnancy, and other topics relating to women's struggles. Though most of the women were out of the office this morning, I did get a chance to pick up literature on several of these topics to see what the Center had to offer.

I was most impressed, though, by the library, located in the small annex beside the Center. The main room has hundreds of books and DVDs available for check out by UNC students interested in learning more about women's issues. Also, there are a few small rooms off from the main room where meetings take place, and a lactation room for students who are nursing.

After having visited the Center, I wish I had gotten more involved earlier in my college career. Their programming all seems really exciting, their resources were interesting, and the people there were incredibly friendly. I plan to spend more time there in my last semester at Carolina so as to leave this place a stronger woman than when I arrived.

JOMC441 - John Freeman talk

I didn't get to stay for the entire lecture because of class, but the 45 minutes of the John Freeman talk I did get to attend were definitely interesting.

John is a journalist living in Philadelphia who works with Harvest USA, a Christian counseling group dealing mostly with sexual issues-- homosexuality, pornography addiction, etc. From an early age he identified as gay (he attributes this to peer influence, it seems), but at age 21 decided that had a lot more to do with inner turmoil than it did with his actual sexuality.

The majority of his talk dealt with the idea that Jesus sees us for what's inside, and that's his main concern-- not who we hang out with or who we present ourselves as being. Using passages from the Bible and several C.S. Lewis books, he emphasized that a lot of the issues we face on a daily basis and over long periods of time come from problems we aren't addressing on the inside, things weighing heavily on our hearts. And we don't want to ask for God's help, because God never gives us exactly the help we need and stops-- we'll get the "full treatment."

I'm not sure quite how I felt about the talk as a whole. It made me really uncomfortable that he was implying that homosexuals were all struggling with morality. I think everyone has issues that weigh heavy on their hearts-- we're humans and flawed -- but he never really said that. He mentioned praying for gay people, but never mentioned praying for everyone you meet. I'm sure many, many straight people have issues worse than being attracted to someone of the same sex, and we need to listen to them and pray for them as much or more than we do gay people. Also, when he talked about listening to stories and not writing people off, it was almost in a patronizing way that implied you shouldn't give up on them because they could change. What if they never change? Anyway, I think had the talk focused on, like he said at one point, the fact that "we become outwardly what we give our hearts to," it would have been much more inclusive and much more easily identified with. Instead, it came off as a way to "fix" homosexuality, which I don't think is possible or necessary.

JOMC 441- Reaction to Brett Chambers' lecture

On the 25-word introduction:

It was really difficult to start writing exactly what I wanted to say, because I was too concerned with questioning what he wanted to hear, which I think says a lot about my personality in and of itself. I'm a people pleaser. Once I finally got down to it, though, it was really interesting to see what I came up with. My highest priority is that people know I care. I often come off as sarcastic, since that's my style of humor, but I love listening and helping, and I would do anything for my loved ones. Also, I thought it was important that I describe what inspires my actions every day-- learning, growing, loving, being creative, inspiring, expressing myself, staying positive, being productive. Those are the things that I believe people often misinterpret about me, so I like having them out in the open early on. After thinking about it, I suppose the fact that I'm from a small town in the south does affect who I am, and people who don't know me from home would benefit from knowing that. So here's my final version. (I went four words over. Oops.)

I'm from a small, southern town but I have far-reaching interests. My loved ones are my highest priority. I live everyday to learn, grow, create, inspire, and entertain.

On the lecture as a whole:

I found the lecture by Professor Chambers to be incredibly interesting. From the very first statement, which was that diversity and inclusion were not the same thing, my attention was held. I really enjoyed discussing how everyone has different stories and different ways of defining themselves or describing themselves, but I think the part that will most stick with me was the story about his newsroom misunderstanding. He told the story about "A white woman attacked in north Durham" and asked what we assumed, and our assumptions were generally the same. Basically he made a point as to how preconceptions affect what we take from the news, especially as it pertains to reinforcing our stereotypes. I honestly had never thought of how our beliefs put together pieces there, but they really do-- even when a lot of information is left out.

From this lecture, I've been inspired to take time to really get to know people and listen to what they're saying, free of my preconceptions. Hopefully with practice, this will get a lot easier so, as a journalist, I can give the whole story.

JOMC 441 IAT Post

I took the Asian IAT, and after ten incredibly overwhelming, stressful minutes, got the result "a little to somewhat biased," which sort of surprised me. Not going to lie, my first reaction was, "but I'm not racist!" This post, though it may seem like it, is not about blaming someone else. Obviously I was the one who took the test. But I do think a lot of factors went into my results.

First, the test itself was a little crazy. It took way more effort for me to remember which category was on which side than it did for me to associate Asian people with American things or vice versa. I, for some reason, just could not wrap my head around the categories. Then that ominous, "Don't take too much time or your results won't be accurate" thing came up, which made me really nervous, so I'm not sure how focused I actually was.

Secondly, coming from a small town where I knew two Asian people, it probably shouldn't be very surprising that most of my exposure to Asian-American people was the media, which meant stereotyping their "non-American" attributes. After years of this, I think anyone would be "a little to somewhat" biased.

Anyway, the test gave me interesting things to think about, and I plan on taking a few more of the tests in the future, if I can get my stress levels down from the first time.

Don't Call It a Comeback

So I’m on the road currently, sans interwebs, but I thought it would be a good time to update the blog (and post it later). First and foremost: my currently playlist. A girl’s gotta have her priorities.

· Norman Bleik – I Was a King

o Such a pleasant track with which to kick off my summer playlist. It’s kind of like if the New Pornographers decided to become a little more trendy/indie (trendindie?)

· No You Girls - Franz Ferdinand

o It’s no Take Me Out, but really, what is? And it’s kind of a bootyshaker, which is always enjoyable. Definitely classic Franz Ferdinand.

· I Like You So Much Better When You’re Naked – Ida Maria

o I need her gravelly voice, but sadly I think that’s the effort of many years of smoking (which leads me to be skeptical of the line “I only smoke when I’m with you/ whoa”). I would also settle for her ballsyness. Either way, this one’s another song you kind of have to dance to.

· Zero – Yeah Yeah Yeahs

o Someone in Nylon said this song was like driving down the Autobahn, getting pulled over by a cop, and dancing with him/her in an electrical storm. How’s that for imagery? German roads and law enforcement aside, it’s a solid song. And Karen O is as cool as ever.

· Led to the Sea – Jenny Owen Youngs

o One of the more danceable tracks on her new album, which shows how very different Transmitter Failure is than her previous album, Batten the Hatches. Still, overall I enjoy the more lighthearted feel—it makes the song much more versatile.

· Under Control – Parachute

o A little poppy for my taste, but addicting nonetheless. And these guys play a mean Billy Joel cover; I have to respect that. I have a feeling they’ll be pretty well known in a year or so.

· Apologize – Silverstein

o If the original version by One Republic was a guilty pleasure, Silverstein has upped the guilt factor even further with their addition of background screams, but it’s still a decent track. Somehow it feels more heartfelt, since it’s a little angrier.

· Two of Us – Aimee Mann and some other guy

o An old classic from the I Am Sam soundtrack. Excellent for driving and pretending to be a Beatles fan.

· The Wanting Comes in Waves/Repaid – The Decemberists

o Hands down my favorite track from The Hazards of Love. The vocals by guest vocalist Shara Worden are absolutely awesome, as is the storyline and back-and-forth nature of the song. It’s like if you injected musical theater with a healthy dose of cool and took away any semblance of dancing. So a win in my book.

· The Funeral – Band of Horses

o Alright I confess, until last month I had only heard one Band of Horses song and wasn’t a huge fan of it, but after hearing this I’m reconsidering. Seems to be perfect in most every situation. And the build-up is incredible.

· Can You Tell – Ra Ra Riot

o This song is just the right mix of upbeat (thanks to the quick rhythm) and melancholically honest (“What am I supposed to do?/It’s hard to stay cool/when you smile at me/and I get nervous every time you speak”).

· Equinox – The Love Language

o Paste highlighted this tune from the catchy Chapel Hill band. What’s not to love about fun, North Carolinian indie rock? Except for the part near the end where it’s just a lot of noise; I tend to skip ahead at that point. Call me uncultured if you’d like, but I enjoy my music to be musical.

· Pulling On a Line – Great Lake Swimmers

o Another lovely Paste find, the country influences are apparent but in a nice, subtle way.

· I Want to Be Buried in Your Backyard – Nightmare of You

o Despite the creepy title, the song is incredibly pleasant, as is the band in general. They sound a bit British (both vocally and musically) but are, in fact, from New York. Ramones complex anyone?

· Anywhere With You – Saves the Day

o I realize I’m like 10 years late to be jumping on the Saves the Day bandwagon, but after they opened with this track at the Charlotte show, I was hooked. It’s honestly the perfect summer song, even with all the anger , especially when driving. Crank it up. I know I do.

· At Your Funeral – Saves the Day

o This is the one song apparently everyone knows by Saves the Day, and while it doesn’t even compare to Anywhere With You, it’s still decent and not too heavy.

· Lenin – The Arcade Fire

o One of a few tracks I love from Dark Was the Night. It has just enough piano and abstract vocals to make it interesting. It’s no “Intervention”, but it’s a little more upbeat, and I can appreciate that.

· Lua – Gillian Welch & Connor Oberst

o Typically I am not a huge Oberst fan since he’s kind of a whiney little bitch, but when paired with the country-girl toughness of Welch’s voice, it somehow comes off just right. Also I’m a fan of the lyrical upfrontness. Now I’m just making up words.

· Train Song – Fiest & Ben Gibbard

o Another DWtN gem, this track combines the haunting voices of two of indie music’s finest. It’s also nice because both voices are very recognizable, so the song sounds kind of familiar, even if it’s the first time you’re hearing it.

· I’ve Got Friends – Manchester Orchestra

o Any band that toured with Brand New is worth at least trying in my book, and this band is no exception. The brutal honesty (“I know what they want/and I know they don’t want me stay”) is striking, and for some reason I can’t stop listening to this song.

· Last Person – Jenny Owen Youngs

o Another great track from the new album Transmitter Failure. A little twang and a lot of sass goes a long way for Youngs. Also the phrase “bloodless zombie eyes” is used multiple times, so bonus points.

· In This City – Iglu & Hartley

o This is the only crossover from my last playlist because it has a certain staying power. Instantly addicting and pleasant, it’s the sort of song I would go out of my way to request.

· Use Somebody – Kings of Leon

oI confess, I've never been a huge KoL fan because most of their stuff is pretty out there, but this one gets back to basics and is strangely comforting. It somehow gets lodged in my head, but not in the annoying way. In the way that I just have to keep listening. Over and over and over.

Yet again, kind of forgot I had a Blogger.  Come to think of it, the only time I have ever really used this blog was when Kristin and I (and possibly Kelsey and Hannah?  Don't remember) got them freshman year.  Anyway, I probably still won't blog here much, so let me direct you to my forreal blog:

http://jordanbear.tumblr.com

And goodnight to you, also

Expectations are a bitch.

I shouldn't be this affected.

But I am.