Is it so wrong to want clean water?

Is it so wrong to want clean water?

According to local news outlets (as well as major outlets) in the North Dakota region, the water protectors are violent and incompetent individuals in the way of the pipeline. The protectors are fighting for everyone and not just the tribe who could be directly impacted if there were to be an oil spill. Yesterday, October 27, 2016 was probably one of the most intense days in the protest thus far, as there were snipers, more police in riot gear, and people shot at with rubber bullets.

Major news outlets portrayed the people who were detained for simply praying as dangerous and a strain on the people of North Dakota. If people could just look beyond their views, respect others, and look at the future, then these kind of issues would not be so intense. Native Americans look at future generations through a seven-generation plan and are always thinking ahead. Whereas some of these corporations we are fighting are in it for the now and the money.

There are already enough pipelines in the United States and to add more simply to bring in more profit does not make sense. In my next post, I will add ways in which you can help the people in North Dakota currently fighting for clean water. In the meantime, prayers are welcome for the warriors up north.

Coincident?

Coincident?

Just recently while babysitting for my aunt I was bombarded with some questions by my younger cousins. I’m in my mid twenties and my four cousins are between the ages of 7 and 12 and I was minding my business when I overheard them talking about what they wanted to be when they grew up. I heard careers like becoming a doctor, lawyer, detective, and even playing pro football. I grinned to myself about how big children can dream, and suddenly they must have heard me stop what I was doing and they turned and asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up, Von?” A question I was not quite ready to answer and considering I was the “grown” one, I was speechless.

As the week progressed, coincidently enough I attended workshops for grad school and internship seminars for the attorney general’s office. I heard speeches from people about the opportunities that their programs offered and that question still lingered in the back of mind throughout the week. With my senior approaching fast, I began to think beyond NAU. What am I going to do? What do I want to become?

I met with my advisor and mentor shortly after several seminars. We began discussing the difference between grad school and law school as well as the process. Within a week I made a lot of process in which way my future is heading and furthering my education is definitely forthcoming. I’m not sure what exactly what I want to be, I mean if being a career student was possible I would certainly go that route but grad school is calling. Even as an adult, I still don’t have it all figured it out but I appreciate the little minds of my siblings for guiding me in a sense. Knowing I have little eyes looking up to the oldest grandchild it definitely helps in setting goals and pursuing my career. 

When Fall brings more than the cold

October 7, 2016

When Fall brings more than the cold

With the arrival of fall, not only did mother nature bring the chilly atmosphere but also the ignorance out of more people. I used to love fall; the pumpkin flavored drinks, the dark colors, the heavy clothing, and Halloween. But the last couple of years have been disappointing as I am see more blatant disregard for other cultures. With the pressing issues of the pipeline affecting my brother and sisters in North Dakota, I feel like more people are voicing their racist comments more than ever.

Just recently my friend told me about an incident that took place at a football game at the University of Arizona. His friend (so a third source) was met with a group of racist students from a fraternity and sorority. During the game they were making jokes and being immature and he asked them to settle down because he was sitting behind them. Words were exchanged and he was called a “desert n****.” An African-American woman sitting by him poured a drink down the girl’s back who shouted that at him and they left shouting: “Start the Pipeline! Start the Pipeline!” Of course, the incident was documented but as of now nothing has been done against the students. So, it’s bad enough that we are seen as being crybabies when others are clearly being irrational. But things like that just open up a whole new level of low. The students of course also shouted, ‘All lives matter’ to the woman who poured the drink, and there was no need for that. I had to ask, is this really in Arizona? Like did we flash back a few decades? The audacity!

My friends are pretty diverse, and when I tell them of such occurrences they often think I’m exaggerating, because people can’t really act like that, can they? YES! Then they begin to question why they haven’t experienced the things I’ve heard or seen, or experienced first hand. That’s when I have to remind them that just being a light-skinned Latino or African-American is a privilege itself. I know it’s only going to get worse as we approach Halloween as well. If October were Monopoly’s ‘Go’ and the extra $200 you collect passing were the goodies fall brings; I’ll pass.