Citizens & The Community

What are the advantages of having our citizens engage in our community projects and become a community partner?

Well for starters, the relationship between the citizens in my community and my community partner is that we are all aware of the importance of giving the Developmentally Disabled community a stronger voice. The citizens of my community are a key component because they provide the respite workers for the many local respite agencies. They provide the volunteers who come out to support a number of events, and lastly they are the voice for the voiceless. Our Citizens play a large role because they have the power to influence the majority and help voice the opinions and matters of those directly affected. The citizens who directly help my CP (community partner) are those who come out to the special Olympic events through out the year, the companies in Sonoma County who employ the disabled and give them a place in a functioning society; the many places that sponsor our events- those are the valuable  citizens of my community. The interaction between my CP and citizens is essential because it allows for all of us to understand each others needs and desires for change. We interact as strong community who supports each other. When a citizen engages with a group to directly keep the disabled community functional is meaningful and can have a huge impact in the life of one, if not many. So with this said- get out there and let your voice be heard, go make a difference in someone's life (if even a small one); go volunteer and see how it will change you and your outlook. We all matter, we  just have to find what it is we are fighting for or what it may be we are trying to find. A relationship can begin anywhere; a friendship can spark something so magnificent you wont believe you were part of it. As a fellow citizen of beautiful Sonoma county ( or wherever you maybe) get up and go find a community partner for yourself or join an existing one, make a change!

The Legacy of MLK

So today is pretty important, but for some we may think it is just another day; that it is just another holiday to celebrate. But it isn't, today is a reminder of someone who stood up, along with others, and found a new method to fight for civil rights and ensure that the rights and civil liberties of people are protected. I have been reading The Eyes On The Prize The Civil Rights Reader and through my reading I have come to understand how MLK's approach to the memorable movement was different. Why was Dr. Kings approach different? well because he didn't want to violently fight with the oppressors, he wanted to show them the 'civil way' of reaching their goal for voting rights and civil justice. The civil rights movement was a grass roots movement whose goal was to accomplish what no one had accomplished with non-violence. Dr. King urged his followers to become leaders and he had this powerful tone of voice that immediately grew recognition among the people. MLK was and still is a powerful figure, not only in The Civil Rights Movement, but in history and even in todays world. Let us take a little trip in the time machine and remember all those people, students, who were pepper sprayed at the UC Davis Campus not long ago in the occupy protest over wall street. These students exercising their rights of freedom of assembly and free speech were retaliated against with violence and unfairness. These students utilized MLK's power of nonviolence. The Legacy MLK created is, not was, unforgettable because it has encouraged our leaders to protest, to peacefully protest of ocurse, for what is right. The legacy is that no matter how small the majority may make us feel there is always room for improvement. That we alone have the power to change what we know isn't right, that we can and we will find a way for perseverance. The legacy MLK created in regards to Voting Rights is that no matter our color, race, gender, we have civil rights/ liberties that no one can infringe upon, even though they may try, we cant let them.  MLK Fought the local governments, the state governments, and the onto the federal level with peaceful protest and an army of all races behind him. The Civil Rights Movement was far greater than we can imagine because it was on a greater scale in regards to those who were, and many continue to suffer form the oppression of white supremacy. This brings me back to the question of MLK's legacy and what it has done to change the voting rights for African Americans and those of other ethnicities, but if those very rights are still in danger? Well, yes in many ways some things have changed but others haven't. What about those who work the voting booths, do they get to vote or are they paid to stay longer and miss there chance to cast their ballot, what about those who are in the armed forces and cant cast their ballot on time. We often times forget about the greater picture; we believe that because of the Lady of Manifest Destiny caring her wealth across the US that we are now all saved, but this is wrong because there will always be a new battle, a new war, and a new enemy with every corner our country takes. Our rights are more in danger today than ever before with our country becoming more and more of a police state. Many of you may disagree, I acknowledge that I may be wrong on some of my facts. I know I am not wrong on one thing- and that is that I acknowledge and accept my mistakes as where our leaders choose to put a blanket over them and brush them under the carpet, or ignore the fact a wrong was done. I urge you as MLK once did to follow the dream you have and always stand up for what you believe because chances are that you are NOT alone in the ongoing battle for equal rights, this will always be an ongoing battle and MLK reached a milestone for not only the African Americans living with Jim Crow, but he influenced so many more in our world, not just our country. So my question is- what will your legacy be and why?

Why community engagement?

Hi there,

So I will begin with asking what community engagement is and answering this question as well, but it is somehting everyone should consider asking themselves: why help the community we live in?

Well for starters, you should help the community you live in because you are a valued member of that community and could possibly provide a voice for the voicless in your community. Two, you will learn more about yourself and your neighbors which in turn will only make you more valuable as you learn and grow from the community engagement. Community engagement is a great way to meet the fmailies of your communities, local organizations, and work directly with those who services the local needs and attempt to fix any issues at hand.

With that said, I will begin to explain what I do for community engagement. My community partner is my work with the disabled commmunity and how I directly work with a class of people within my community. There are all kinds of classes of people that belong to different socio-economic groups; therefore there is a number of potential groups to directly work with. With that said, the need for respite workers is important because they are an essential component for families who have a loved one with a dissabliity. My duties are to find the respite worker and teach them how to work with the disabled one on one. The goal is to raise awaremess for the developmetnally Disabled population in my community. The federal constraints we face are directly with government agencies set in place to help the disabled community. The issue I constantly face is that they never really address the needs; they go for what they believe is the best choice. The community partners I work with can be held accountable on multiple ends of the spectrum.

sincerely,

Bee

Under pressure

I was thinking of David Bowie under pressure and vanilla ice with his ice ice baby jam, boy do I love the 80's! But both these songs have an importance in today's world, even if you disagree, hear me out. So David Bowie under pressure: the lyrics alone describe the various forms of pressure we may all experience. The relevance this song has today is that no matter the year we are in, the pressure is always on us to do the right thing. Oh for the the love of vanilla ice and me dancing around like some kid stuck in a time machine: this song just never gets old. Well that's all for now, I shall return with more pop culture references later.


Yours truly,

Bee