America's Next Top Model: The First and Last Time That I Will Watch This Show

I have to say that this was the first time that I had the chance to watch "America's Next Top Model." I previously have not had any interest in watching the show, as the topic of modeling is not all that exciting to me. I came into the show with a predetermined notion that it was going to be sleep-inducing, uninteresting, and just like every other reality TV show that I've hated over the years. After watching the show, I found that my predictions were true. I also found that this show has a negative effect on the socialization of girls, with its views on how women in our society should look and the notion of beauty. Unfortunately, women today are influenced everyday by the media and are told how they should look. In our society, being "beautiful" means being skinny and using too much make-up. All of the girls in the show are very skinny (some are very unhealthy looking), and have perfect skin, hair, etc. Now I am sure that many young girls are watching this show and are getting misconceived views on how they should look. They should really have a modeling show with a diverse set of women, who all have different body types. This would send women a much better message...that everyone can be beautiful in their own way!

Excuse me, but I think I'm going to try and retrieve the brain cells I just lost from the past hour and watch something of value.

Pop Singers and Feminism

A recent post on the feminist blog Feministing highlighted the ignorance of some female pop singers and their ideas on feminism. It also talks about how these celebrities could really have an impact since they are so known throughout the world and have huge fan followings. The statement made by Lady Gaga about feminism shows just how much she does not know about the subject. Just mentioning that some feminists are "man haters" just feeds into the stereotypes that feminists want to break away from. I also agree that Katy Perry used her sexual orientation to sell more records, when she could have been using it to make people more aware about GLBTQ issues.

You would think that with all the recognition and fame that these singers have, they would want to use it in a meaningful way. Young women from all over are looking up to these singers, listening to every word that comes out of their mouths, whether in their lyrics or through interviews. If Lady Gaga actually educated herself on the subject of feminism a little bit, she could have a major impact on the lives of women and how they see themselves. Katy Perry could easily be a spokesperson for the GLBTQ community instead of using them for her own personal gain. While their statements make it seem like they are supportive of female empowerment, their celebrity status makes them afraid to stand up for the principles behind feminism (because the media has portrayed feminism and people who are feminists in a bad light). Sorry Lady Gaga, but "just dancing" won't solve all the problems women in society face today.

An interesting video about how men perceive feminism.

Twitter: A Useless "Fad" or Useful Tool?

Twitter. People are going crazy over this thing. Celebrities, politicians, and millions of average people all over the world are using it. Keeping people updated about what you are doing every second of your life is all the rage in today's society. Your friends can know how you are feeling and where you are going in no time, just by looking at your Twitter post. Some people may think that Twitter is an amazing social networking tool, part blog, part chat room, just about as amazing as the invention of the wheel. Others may think that it is for people who either have nothing else to do with their time, want to make themselves seem important or busy, or want to stalk celebrities and the like by knowing their every action. No matter your opinion, Twitter is quickly becoming the new internet phenomenon, like Facebook and Myspace.

Is there really any value in using Twitter? Some would say yes. They argue that it is a great way to pass on breaking news quickly. The attached article states that the Hudson River plane crash was first reported by someone who witnessed it and "tweeted" their reaction. It can also be a handy tool if you need advice on something. Your followers may be able to give their two cents on a certain topic once you "tweet" it. Of course, Twitter lets your friends know what you are doing, which can be useful when setting up meetings or get-togethers.

Others would say that Twitter is pointless and has no value to anyone. Critics agree that Twitter, with its limited options, is just a fad and will not have the staying power of facebook or myspace. While facebook can be seen as a networking tool, Twitter exists just for people who are bored and need something to occupy themselves. Who really needs to know what others are doing throughout the day (especially people you do not know personally?) Now I can not say that all Twitter users do this...some actually "tweet" insightful, informative, and useful things. Maybe Twitter needs to mature for a little bit and improve on its base. Only time will tell whether or not Twitter will survive in the social networking scene.

Graduation Approaching=Job Hunting=I Want to Crawl Into a Hole

This will be many college students come May!

So, graduation is quickly approaching. As of tomorrow, there is about 50 days until the commencement. I have mixed feelings about graduating. One part of me is really going to miss Ramapo and all of the people that I have met here. Throughout my years here, I have done so much...from studying abroad in Australia, interning in London, working for both Senator Hillary Clinton and former President Clinton, and going on two service trips during spring break. I guess you could say my four years here have been pretty awesome! Another part of me though, is very concerned about not being able to get a job when I graduate. With the economy tanking more every day, the job market is hurting. Unemployment rates are rising at an alarming rate. Jobs that college kids may have been able to get, those entry level positions, are being filled by 40-somethings who were laid off from their previous employer. Of course they would be hired over someone fresh out of college with little experience. It is scary to think that these conditions may well continue into the next few years, unless there is a miracle and there is a quick turn-around (which will NOT happen!)

While I have a few prospective jobs, such as teaching abroad in China, or possibly thinking about joining the Peace Corps, it is still a worry. I've just recently been starting to hardcore apply to jobs here in the US. Luckily, I have a few interviews lined up, so hopefully they may lead to something. I am also hoping that my internship with the Clinton Foundation may lead into a position there, which would be so convenient. Even though I am stressed about it, I know deep down that I will find something that I will enjoy doing, even if it means leaving the US for awhile until the economy improves!

My Spring Break in Guatemala!

These were my soccer buddies!

While many students choose to relax on the beach or party it up in places like Cancun and South Beach, I spent my spring break volunteering in the small community of Cajola, Guatemala. I've been all over the world throughout my years in college, but this would be my first time in a "third world" country. The trip consisted of 6 other Ramapo students. During the week, our main objective was to paint one of the schools there, and to run an arts and crafts projects with the children in the community. We were also able to experience the culture in Cajola, and interact with the people in the community. Being a Mayan community, it has a very rich and unique culture unlike any other. Many of us spent our free time playing soccer and baseball with the local children. Of course, the children absolutely adored us and were so grateful for all of the attention. While there was fun and games during the trip, there was also a more somber tone to it. The people of Cajola live their lives in constant struggle and poverty everyday. They live in small shacks with limited resources, and not enough money for healthcare and barely enough money to feed their families. The government of Guatemala ignores this small, poor town and lets its people live in poverty. If it actually saw how great the people of Cajola were, maybe something would be done.

I was just glad that I had the opportunity to spend a week in this amazing town and make an impact on its people. I hope that many other Ramapo students in the coming years get the chance to help Cajola, and then maybe they to will feel the love I have for the small, poor, Guatemalan town.

The Huffington Post...Your One Stop Shop For All That is News!

Today, I am going to talk about one of my favorite blogs that I regularly read, The Huffington Post (I have it on my "Bookmark Bar" on my mac!) I enjoy reading it because it covers many different topics, from politics, to entertainment and business news and events. It is a great way to get a good grasp of the major news topics of the day quicker than picking up the newspaper and sorting through all the different sections. Not only does the blog link to other news sources, there are also a handful of guest bloggers that give their two cents on different topics. The layout is easy to maneuver and getting to the articles you want to read is an absolute breeze. Throughout the pages are big, bold, catchy headlines, videos and pictures to get the reader's attention. Usually I will read the NY Times or their website if I have some free time on my hands, but most of the time I am very busy and have limited time to sit down and read lengthy articles. Now i have to admit, the quality of writing is not that of the NY Times, as it does not go into as much depth because the posts are shorter than a normal news article. However, if you choose so, the reader can easily read the entire article if more information is wanted, just by clicking on the hyperlink. Compared to other blogs I have looked at, this one is especially polished and "fancy" unlike the simpleness of others like it. I recommend The Huffington Post to all of you who are strapped for time and want a quality source of news quickly.

What to do about Iraq

Recently, President Obama told the nation his plan about what to do in Iraq, a war that has been ongoing since 2003. At Camp Lejeune in North Carolina, in front of many of our servicement, he announced the withdrawal of combat troops by August 2010 and all remaining troops by December 2011. As promised during the campaign, the President has devised a detailed, well thought out plan to end the mess that is the Iraq war. Not only that, his plan was able to gain support from both Democrats and Republicans. I am glad that President Obama decided on a gradual pull-out from Iraq, because an immediate one may have made conditions in the country that much worse. The troops that will remain in Iraq after August will have a much different focus than the troops do in Iraq as of now. They will be more of a transition team, set up to train Iraqi security forces and protect American personnel in Iraq. After more than 4,000 deaths in Iraq at a cost of more than 600 billion dollars from American taxpayers, the majority of Americans have had enough of this drawn out, badly strategized war.

Check out President Obama's speech below!

"Franklin Delano Obama?"

One of my favorite columnists that I read on a regular basis is New York Times' Nicholas Kristof. I find his insight on issues as very informative and thought provoking. Just by glancing at the title of this article, I knew I had to read it, since I am very supportive of our newly elected President Obama and I also consider FDR to be one of the greatest leaders of our time. We persevered through one of the most difficult economic times our nation had to endure and held strong throughout World War Two because of his strength as a leader and his innovative ideas. Many consider him one of the best Presidents of all time. With the economy in shambles, President Obama is using his charisma and leadership abilities to get the American people on his side and to work towards fixing the economy over the next few years. He also shares another hope for the future that Roosevelt had-the hope for a national health care system for all Americans.

The arguments for and against a national healthcare system are numerous. Proponents of universal healthcare argue that everyone deserves a quality health care regardless of income, and that Americans would be a much healthier and longer living population if we had such a system. Opponents argue that going down such a path would lead to socialism in our society. Taxes would increase substantially, and that the quality of our healthcare would decline. When 46 million people in our country live each day without health insurance, something is terribly wrong. How can the most powerful and wealthiest country in the world have so many people without it? As Kristof states in the article, the people of Europe have a higher life expectancy than Americans. It also has a negative effect on our economy and on businesses. When American companies have to pay to provide healthcare to their employees and foreign companies do not, it leaves us behind in competitiveness. So not only is instituting a national healthcare system a moral obligation, but given the state of our economy and business, it may be wise for President Obama to put healthcare on the forefront of his agenda. If he can achieve this, President Obama just may have a place among the great Presidents throughout American history.