WALKING BILLBOARDS

I just came across this term today;walking billboard.I was just wondering how many times i have become one.A moving billboard.When i wear a shirt that has the brand name on it,do i even think about it?Is there anything wrong with it.

I have mixed feelings with that.I don't really know,but after my teacher talked about it today in class i kinda feel like i will not wear those shirts again.Why am i advertising for the anyways?

Whenever there is a charity walk or a run,company's get a good chance to advertise their products using the walking billboard method.They will make sure they put their brand names on every t-shirt.So basically they sponsor the walks and advertise too.Not bad,but it feels awkward wearing a t-shirt that has brand names on every corner.You have them n your back,sleeves,on your chest and everywhere else.And all the participants always have to wear them and keep them.What a good way to help and advertise.

No more sardines?

I just read an article this morning in AP saying how one of the sardine plants that is in Maine will soon be closing down.So sad because 130 workers will be losing their jobs.And i just learned that stinson seafood plant was the only plant left.My friend just told me that the plant is closing down down because of quota cuts.

The first cannery opened in 1875 in Maine.for details on the story go to http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100414/ap_on_bi_ge/us_so_long_sardines

Face BOOK ruining careers

Is this ethical?Well everyone has their own ethical codes.But some ethical codes are disturbing.I just read an article on yahoo and i was alarmed at how these sites can be useful and life threatening if used inappropriately.
The advice was as usual know what to post and not.Another thing is that be careful about what your friends post on your wall.If you are skeptical about it just delete ASAP.

They also talked about not complaining about your job on face book which i have seen people doing a lot.I have always thought about it as being not very clever.It might cost you your job.

Also spare your boss pictures off you drunk and falling on the floor.Not professional.

So people whatever you do.Be smart.Think about.Also check on you privacy buttons and decide who should see what.

Photos courtesy of http://http//www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-491668/The-ladettes-glorify-shameful-drunken-antics-Facebook.html

Invasion on privay....spit spokeo

If you thought the social network media is getting out of hand,please check out spokeo.com.It dangerously crazy.I don't like it at all.Its a search people website.This is how it works.listen to this video.http://http//www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoz_T_uSxjw.So basically this is how it works,you just enter you email and password and find out what your friends are doing.Spokeo gets the information from different social networks,almost 36 including facebook,pandora,flickr etc. and putting them all together on one page.Other sites are business sites,phone book sites etc.They claim that its all public information.

But thinking about what people can do after getting all info,it's scary.The site shows information about your neighborhood,household and their names.I really don't know how this site is running because i think it is very unethical,for the people who created it and also of the people supporting it.So much damage can come out of this site.People pay to get more information about you.Isn't that crazy?



But the good thing is some info is not true,sometimes they have it wrong or if you are lucky your info doesn't even show up.Bad news though sometimes they have your photo and all correct info about you and if the person searching for you wants to find out more they pay a less that 3 $ a monthly fee to get more info.Creepy right.



But Good news again is that you go to their privacy bar and follow instructions to get your name off the site.If i were you i would definitely do it.

Today in History

Beginning April,7th 1994,in one of the smallest countries of Africa,in a hundred days,approximately a million Tutsi and moderate Hutu were massacred by the Hutu militia.This was the beginning of death in the land of a thousand hills,Rwanda.Today Rwanda is commemorating the 16 years since the genocide took place.

That was the beginning of the Rwandan genocide.Every 7th day of April the country has been taking a day off work,school and other activities to remember those who lost their lives;their loved ones,neighbors,friends,teachers etc.

Rwandans and other people around the world are gathering to light a candle for Rwanda others give their encounters as a healing process and others take a time of silence in remembrance of the perished their lives.

Despite the past,Rwanda is has overcome and it is developing at a fast rate.

Ethnocentricism.......How to say it without being ethnocentric

What is Ethnocentrism???Well its not a good thing at all.I learned of this term in my interpersonal communications class.If my memory is serves me right,it is judging people or their culture according to your culture;feeling that you culture,pattern,value,norms are superior than that of others.

I feel like people tend to be ethnocentric without realizing it sometimes.It always seems like ones values or way of life is better that others.I know how hard it is to accept other people's way of living just the way it is.People always tend to compare their culture to others and it becomes even harder to be objective when dealing with them.

I wish people could be more open minded and ready to learn and integrate easily.I don't think it's that hard.It becomes hard when people try to make assumptions.

I found some interesting examples of Ethnocentrism,like someone would say things like "Mexican food or Chinese food is bizarre"that is being ethnocentric,the person is suggesting that her food,is better or more regular kind of food that that of the Mexican or Chinese.Instead people should to use other terms like "this is different"it sounds better and less judgmental.

Another example is when people go to another country and say,"oh they drive on the wrong side of the road of the road,implying that theirs is right/correct and the other one wrong.Instead one should say the side that they are driving on e.g left hand side or right hand side.

For a long time i used to judge others according to my own culture forgetting that it is just different and that i should appreciate it and accept it.(when you go to Rome?Pray as the Romans)........

Why is Ethnocentrism bad?It makes one make false assumptions about other cultures,nation or people.It also leads to stereotyping,prejudice and may lead to racism.

Placing ones culture superior to others causes us to misjudge others which leads to miscommunication and sometimes hatred.

I just found out that the opposite of Ethnocentrism is Xenocentrism.Which is preferring other cultures over your own culture.The assumption that other cultures are superior to your own.I think it is also bad.We should be able to appreciate our way of life and understand others way of lives as well.(EASIER SAID THAN DONE)

I will get back soon with Xenocentrism and how to avoid it.Well i hope you learned something today.

COLOR COMPLEX

I have learned so much since i came to this country.One of the most interesting but sad thing is color complex among African Americans.Growing up in Africa skin color was never an issue.All i know is that dark guys were considered more handsome than light skinned (brown)guys.But here in America it is different,i am currently reading the color complex by Kathy Russell

It is a very eye opening book on the "politics of color among African American."I never knew people of the same race would discrimate each other regarding their skin tones.The issue is mostly among African American and rare or even unheard of among Africans.

The lighter skin tone,the straighter hair one has among African American,the more beautiful one is considered to be.
I think this is an interesting topic it makes me want to scream because the whole concept is stupid.

But i also learned that this dates back to the Slavery period,the lighter skin toned slaves were given lighter work or would work in their masters house while the darker ones would do harder chores in the field.I think slavery is the root of all African American "evils."Everything that is complained about if you research carefully has ts roots in slavery.Everything started from there.

And you would think the concept of favoring or regarding lighter skinned slaves would end with the slavery time, No,it's still alive among the African American Community.Sad fact.

The perception is that lighter skinned African Americans get better jobs,make more money,have easier time dating,are more attractive, more popular,less intimidating and so on.All the good things.On the other hand,darker skinned African Americans are perceived to be assertive,aggressive,having attitude etc

The color complex issue is very complex.I will stop here for now but stay on the look out for Part 2 of this.

I am still doing my reseach.