Neighborhood Watch, Racism or Self-Defense?

By Dana Arevalo,

P.O.V. Contributing Writer

Every time I see the picture of Trayvon Martin flashed upon the television screen I feel for his parents.  I am not one to quickly judge others, however, I am against civilians carrying weapons in general.  Here we have this young black gentleman in his teens, 17 to be exact, versus a grown large-statured man, whom I didn't realize was "white" until I conducted research. Leaving race out of the equation the story still doesn't seem to make much sense.  Small young gentleman versus large grown man.   Trayvon did not even have a weapon. Suppose you were an individual, leaving age, race, and sex nameless and you were walking home alone in the dark.  If someone approaches you, you are either going to run or defend yourself. Unfortunately I do not buy Zimmerman’s account of self-defense.  Suppose Zimmerman was "punched" in the face or nose, he had no right to shoot Trayvon Martin. 

Issues of race, self-defense, and gun control can be debated.  Possessing a gun does not give one the right to utilize the weapon unless 1) the other individual has a weapon, 2) or you are about to die at the hands of another individual.  Zimmerman was not about to die.  He could have simply communicated in a different manner.  Civilians, ultimately, should not be allowed to carry guns, they are not professionally trained to handle confrontations that can escalate. Law enforcement should have been contacted immediately when Zimmerman noticed anything he felt or thought was suspicious. Not after the gun was fired. People should never take the law into their own hands.  This makes me also question how far one goes to protect their neighborhood.  Was Mr. Zimmerman acting alone, in this neighborhood watch?

Much is to be speculated.  Regardless of black or white, self-defense vs. outright violence, we, the people, want justice for T. Martin.  I am more than ecstatic that children are learning and supporting Trayvon Martin.  One is never too young to learn about people, their struggles and how to handle violent situations.  Avoidance is always the best way but not always possible. 

This case sparked my curiosity and I have been conducting further research to determine whether or not there have been any deaths during any previous neighborhood watch.  I have yet to find a similar case, but will definitely do a future entry if I find any evidence. 

Sneezing, Storms, and Shaving

By Rhonda Ramsey,

P.O.V. Contributing Writer

Do your children ask you the “but why” question?  Do you have every answer?  Maybe you sigh and tell your child, “I’ll get back to you on that.”  Maybe you get creative and make up something silly. Or maybe you are like me and have forgotten the answers. Or maybe, just maybe, we just don’t know. After all time flies and parents are only human. We forget things or have moments were our brains are in autopilot.

For example, you are playing outside in the snow building a snowman after creating the perfect snow angels. Your own little angel peers up at you and says, “Do you hear that?”

“Hear what?” you ask glancing over your shoulder.

“Hear the quiet. Don’t you hear the quiet?" your little one asks.

I have looked up answers so many times I lost count.  But I will be sure to save this in my phone. Can I blame my memory on pregnancy brain two years later?

Here goes:

Two answers. First, snow does not reflect sound well; it absorbs it so that much of what you would normally hear is muffled. Second, most animals seek shelter when it snows and therefore there are many less bird sounds immediately after a snow storm.

My next question, which will likely not be my last, pertains to shaving. I actually don’t remember asking my mother why women shave their legs. I do remember exactly what made me think that I must need to shave the light fuzz on my legs. It was in middle school when I noticed that one of the girls (well...many of them) had come back from summer break with freshly shaven legs. I did not wonder why, I only wondered why I had not taken on the new womanly habit.

Now that I am an adult, and have been shaving my legs for many years, I find myself wondering exactly where this trend came from. I was not able to pinpoint my answer, as it seems to be something that women have been doing for many, many years.

“ARMurray: Archaeological evidence shows that humans began removing body hair as far back as Stone Age. Egyptian women and men both removed body hair, which made it more difficult for body lice to find a home. Roman women of 500 B.C. would remove body hair, and pluck their eyebrows.”

Not only did art depict images of bodies free of leg, underarm, and even pubic hair, as early as the 1500s, but according to ehow.com, disease and a well executed marketing campaign made shaved legs a sure thing:

“In modern time until the early 1900s, not much thought went into the hair on a woman's legs or under her arms. The reason for the shift to being clean shaven is not a dramatic event such as war or a disease, but a well executed marketing campaign.

“It started with an article released May, 1915, in Harper's Bazaar. Words expressed in the article such as "objectionable hair" led women to begin shaving under their arms. Fashion did play a role in this transition because the style at the time was sleeveless tops.

“Razor sales quickly doubled and the campaign was a tremendous success. Over the next several decades as skirt lines began to inch upward, the practice of shaving the legs became more widespread.”

I found this very interesting, and helpful. My own questions were answered, and when my daughter comes to me and asks why momma shaves, I will have an answer much better than, “Because momma doesn’t want to scare daddy."

Souces:  History Behind Women Shaving Their Legs

When Did When Start Shaving?

Why Is It So Quiet After a Snowfall?

History Behind Women Shaving Legs

http://webhome.idirect.com/~brucer/RAZ_WOM.html

3/27 Poll of the Week: What Is Your Opinion of Trayvon Martin?

This week's Tuesday poll question is what is your opinion of the Trayvon Martin shooting?

The results of last week's poll are below.

Create your free online surveys with SurveyMonkey, the world's leading questionnaire tool.

Last week's question: Would you switch political parties just to vote against someone in the primaries?

Results: Yes 0%, No 50%, Other 50%

Does No One Care Graduation Rates Are So Low?

Was education stressed during your childhood? Were you told you would never get anywhere in life if, at the very least, you didn't graduate from high school?

This message is lost to some in this country. According to research conducted by children's advocacy group America's Promise Alliance, the graduation rate for high schools in the United States is around 75 percent. In some states, the rate was as low as 56 percent.

Many of these students attend dropout factories, a term given to high schools that fail to pass over 60 percent of the student population. There are a whopping 1,550 of these high schools around the country.

Anyone who has seen the documentary Waiting for Superman knows that problems with the educational system are immense and not easily solved, but that they can be solved if there are individuals willing to work to solve them.

The problem is parents and society at large are not infuriated by the news of such a low dropout rate. The emphasis is placed on sports and beauty. Students can't be expected to care about their grades and their future if their teachers don't care and, worse, if their parents don't care.

What message are we sending to future generations? That we don't care about them? That we don't care about the future of this country? That it's alright if the U.S. fails to compete with the rest of the world so long as the local football team wins?

Wake up, America, before it's too late.

Source: Despite progress, 1 in 4 high schoolers drops out

X FILES

Thanks to Roman May

I have been using my Broomfield wireless internet access to use my Blu-Ray wireless player to stream Netflix. I have really gotten into watching a show that was really popular in the 1990’s. It was a little before my time, but I remember my parents watching the show and really liking it. The show is the “X-Files”. I didn’t realize how much that I would like the show. It is like “Law and Order” but with the supernatural phenomenon happening. I haven’t seen one episode yet that I haven’t really enjoyed. Each episode has a unique story line and really interesting characters. If you watch one, you will want to watch many more. When I do my writing from home instead of from the office, I usually turn on the “X-Files” and watch an episode or two while I type on my laptop. My husband even likes to watch an episode or two with me when he gets home from work. For him to like a show is pretty unusual! He usually just likes to read.

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Note to Readers: The preceding was a paid advertisement. P.O.V. is not affiliated with this company or its services.

Come Express Your Point of View

P.O.V. now has it's own social network on BlogFrog. I established this network as an easier and more social way to interact with readers. You're all invited to stop by, join the network and leave a post. You don't need a BlogFrog account to join us.

There are four ways to access the network:

1. Click on the Join the P.O.V. Community page, which can be found in the right hand column.
2. Click this URL: http://www.povblog.net/p/join-pov-community.html
3. Click on the BlogFrog widget.
4. Click on the signature at the bottom of this post.

I hope to see you all in the community soon.

Check out these popular conversations from my community

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Medicare Supplemental Insurance

Medical bills are ridiculously high nowadays. Many people are under the impression that once they retire Medicare will pay for all their medical services, but the truth is it does not. It only covers 80 percent of medical expenses. And in this political climate it's difficult to say how long Medicare will even be around.

One company has a solution. Medicare Supplemental Insurance, located in Bellevue, WA, offers a number of supplemental insurance plans. All anyone who is interested has to do is supply their zip code online for a free quote or they can call and speak to a customer service representative. There is no obligation to buy its plans.

Needless to say, this program is for senior citizens. The company recommends applicants sign up six months before their 65th birthday or during the six months following their birthday. If applicants wait longer, it makes it more difficult and insurance companies may deny them coverage.

Seniors and retirees looking to find out more information on social security and Medicare as well as other issues that affect them should check out Senior Living.

Note to Readers: The preceding was a paid advertisement. P.O.V. is not affiliated with this company or its services.

Divorce Affects Children

By Dana Arevalo,

P.O.V. Contributing Writer

Nine out of ten times children are placed in the middle of a divorce.  Whether the parents realize it or not, everything that they do and say in their child’s presence affects the child.  Even the smallest sigh, frown or word places a burden or weight upon the child’s shoulders. 

Today, I had the opportunity to sit in on a very well organized parenting meeting for individuals who are going through the divorce process.  I left feeling empowered and open to figure out what works for the benefit of children.  Always strive to be the better parent, make the solution not the problem. 

The spouses, soon to be divorcees, are stressed over the divorce, so they should make every effort not to pass extra trouble and inconvenience onto the children.   It drains their energy and overall well-being.  Listening to some of the parenting mediation stories brought a sadness to light; however, I left learning a genuine lesson to keep an open mind and to never place the child in the middle. 

Teach your children well and always encourage them to share their feelings.  Don’t let them hold their hurt and pain inside.  In closing, I would love to share the following poem.  I find it extremely powerful and moving:

Children Learn What They Live
By Dr. Dorothy Law Nolte

          If children live with criticism,
               They learn to condemn.
          If children live with hostility,
               They learn to fight.
          If children live with ridicule,
               They learn to be shy.
          If children live with shame,
               They learn to feel guilty.
          If children live with encouragement,
               They learn confidence.
          If children live with tolerance,
               They learn to be patient.
          If children live with praise,
               They learn to appreciate.
          If children live with acceptance,
               They learn to love.

Brains, Communication and Codes

By Rhonda Ramsey,

P.O.V. Contributing Writer

“You might not realize it but your brain is a code-cracking machine.

“For emaxlpe, it deson’t mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod aepapr, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer are in the rghit pcale. The rset can be a toatl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit pobelrm.

“S1M1L4RLY, Y0UR M1ND 15 R34D1NG 7H15 4U70M471C4LLY W17H0U7 3V3N 7H1NK1NG 4B0U7 17.”

I recently read this article from Body Odd on MSN and not only enjoyed it but got a few different things out of it. One of the first things I thought about was marriage. How do I relate reading something like “why-yuor-barin-can-raed-tihs" to marriage? I will explain.

Do you have intense disagreements with your spouse or significant other? Did you know that at the root of most disagreements lies in misunderstandings? So how did that misunderstand come about? My understanding is this: we have a natural ability to hear (or read) the beginning of what is expressed to us and guess the rest. Soon, the discussion (or letter) takes on a life of its own, as we jump to conclusions and react to something that was never expressed. 

Most of us will misunderstand or become defensive at some point in our lifetime. And although this article did not necessarily go in the direction that I was prompted to go, I just had to explore more ways to apply this. Communication was the first thing that popped into my mind. How often do we clarify before jumping to conclusions?

Source:  Cracking the Code Why Your Barin Can RaedTihs

3/20 Poll of the Week: Would You Switch Political Parties?

This week's Tuesday poll question is would you switch political parties just to vote against someone in the primaries?

The results of last week's poll are below.

Create your free online surveys with SurveyMonkey, the world's leading questionnaire tool.

Last week's question: How many times a week do you eat red meat?

Results: Never 0%, less than once 0%, 1-2 times 50%, 3-4 times 50%, 5-6 0%, 7+ 0%

Advertising Coming to a Blog Near You

Advertising has become a necessary evil. As obnoxious as it may be, it's the only way television and radio stations, publications and websites can make a profit.

For the past several months, I have tried to keep P.O.V. ad free by instead using a donation button. The response was underwhelming. So I have decided, after much deliberation, that ads will appear on P.O.V.; it is simply a matter of what form they will take.

There are so many blogs out there where the content is secondary to the ad space being sold. I find those sorts of blogs to be a distraction and, in the case of this blog, would ruin its integrity. Whatever route I decide to take must keep P.O.V.'s content remain in the forefront.

You'll see ads appearing over the course of the next few weeks as I experiment to see what works the best.

Are the Unemployed Being Discriminated Against?

By Dana Arevalo,

P.O.V. Contributing Writer

Society places people into groups for several diverse purposes.  Mainly for categorization purposes.  I am sure everyone remembers the 2010 census.  The government performs the census to statistically analyze the needs of the population and special government funding programs and the like.  Unfortunately, at times groups are segregated or isolated from basic needs and survival requirements such as employment, housing, and schooling.

More recently, with unemployment prevalent, some job postings blatantly announce: "The Unemployed Need Not Apply".  I was recently discussing unemployment with a family member whom brought this to my attention.  I honestly was appalled and extremely disappointed to hear this. I think the idea is screaming discrimination.  If the president and corporations are trying to create more jobs for individuals, how are the struggling Americans whom fit into the "unemployment" category going to secure a job if in fact, "They Need Not Apply"?

I reviewed an article from the Wall Street Journal and, in fact, many career sites have business that fancied around "The Unemployed Need Not Apply" to list terms such as, "Must be Currently or Recently Employed".  Basically, the same message.  Fortunately, New Jersey has taken a stand against such wording and will not allow it.  The companies are most concerned with the gap in a person’s qualifications and or last position.  Fill in the gaps: volunteer, take courses, and keep actively busy.  While unemployment is looked upon as negatively, I feel that it has reached a level of crisis and actually listing such things in ads is discriminatory.   

Those whom have jobs and careers take many things for granted. I say this because just this morning I was driving and witnessed two police officers at a "PBA" job (directing traffic at a utility construction site on a main road), leisurely texting and utilizing their cellular phones from the sidewalk when they were supposed to be directing traffic and ensuring the safety of pedestrians and motorists.  For those that do not know, PBA jobs are extra jobs for police officers to work overtime hours. 

I will say that some individuals on unemployment are probably in fact abusing the system as with any other government assisted program.  But there are also those who are trying very hard to secure a position and are willing to work hard for a living.  Perhaps, they should change their motto to:  "The Lazy Freeloaders Need Not Apply".  

Source:  Help Wanted Ads Exclude the Long Term Jobless

Fruit Snacks with a Fork

By Rhonda Ramsey,

P.O.V. Contributing Writer

My son, who is two years old, adores forks. He eats sandwiches, cheese crackers and fruit snacks with a fork. Although the messes he makes with his beloved forks often brings tears to my eyes,  and I do not have the slightest idea why he has developed this fondness, I try not to frustrated. (Ahem...notice I said try.)

Of course there are times when he is clearly enjoying watching his crumbs pile up, as my patience wears thin. But nevertheless, I try to remember he that is a toddler. I try to remember that he is still learning and, last but not least, I try to keep in mind that there will come a time when I actually miss looking after him. Just as I miss cradling my six year old when she was an infant, I will miss fussing at and chasing my toddler around the house.

In fact, one afternoon as I swept and grumbled under my breath, I paused for a moment. I thought to myself, what if I had no crumbs, nothing to grumble about, and nothing but silence to keep me company?

Have you ever heard someone talk about a home that is as quiet as a mouse? Although some thoroughly enjoy peace and quiet, I have spoken with people who hardly find crumbs or noise something to complain about. After grieving children, being widowed, or suffering empty nest syndrome, we can all learn to sweat the small stuff less as we take time to appreciate what is right in front of us.

I only hope I can do a better job at worrying less and enjoying life more; but it is easier said than done. Anyone else up for the challenge?

3/13 Poll of the Week: How Often Do You Eat Red Meat?

This week's Tuesday poll question is how often do you eat red meat?

The results of last week's poll are below.

Create your free online surveys with SurveyMonkey, the world's leading questionnaire tool.

Last week's question: Does how well or how poorly a person dresses say something about their self esteem?

Results: Yes 75%, No 25%

True Love?

It is said love is blind. Love also can be stupid. Earlier this month, The Modesto (California) Bee reported on a 41-year-old teacher who left his wife and kids to move in with an 18-year-old student.

The teacher told the newspaper he knows people disapprove of their relationship. "Do we make everyone else happy or do we follow our hearts?" he asks.

Older men have been falling for younger women for centuries. And this isn't really the first time we've heard of a teacher falling for a student. In fact, one of of my high school teachers was married to a former student. We thought it was a little weird when she told us, but she said they didn't date until after he was out of college. Other stories have been reported in the news of teachers dating students after they graduated, and there are also the cases of downright sexual abuse.

So where does this case lie? Is this an 18-year-old woman making her first adult decision or is this an 18-year-old girl being taken advantages of my a person in power. The couple claims it is the former. Her mother claims it is the latter.

According to the student's mother, the teacher met her daughter when the girl was a freshman and pursued her which led to the girl having panic attacks and poor grades.

The Modesto police are investigating so you can be guaranteed this isn't the last we've heard of this story.

So what do you think? Is this a nonconventional couple in love, or a teacher abusing his power?

Source: Calif. teacher resigns after leaving family for student

Does Reality TV support Teen Pregnancy?

By Dana Arevalo,

P.O.V. Contributing Writer

Many enjoy watching reality television because the episodes are packed with real-life drama. However, what type of message are we sending teen viewers about pregnancy by giving teen moms reality star status? Some may feel a positive message while others believe it is a disgrace or the general acceptance of teen pregnancy. What is your stand on this topic?

I am a firm believer that a positive lesson can be learned out of a negative situation, however, prevention and precaution must be involved. Ultimately, it would be positive if your son or daughter learns how difficult it is to raise a child durng their teens and make a conscious effort to avoid it at all costs. Then, "why not" produce a reality show about teens making positive choices about NOT getting pregnant? My answer is because it won't sell. How "dramatic" would it be to watch a teen take a trip for birth control? Viewers wouldn't find it interesting because the teens would not be deviating from what society expects.

The teen mom reality shows can be found as negative, simply because, in a way, it supports teen pregnancy. I performed some research and the reality teen moms get paid for each season. Imagine being a sixteen year old teen mom with a $65,000.00 salary. It may be viewed as the network providing support for the moms who otherwise would have to rely on their parents for shelter and money. How is receiving such a salary a financial struggle? Furthermore, some of the mothers have more children after "struggling"; therefore, what lesson is learned? No lesson. The teen moms on the show are generally bratty and ungrateful. They are also put in the spotlight or as EOnline suggests, "glamorized". Heck, they are even considered Teen Mom Stars holding their own Teen Mom Oscars.

Sources:  Teen Mom Oscars and the Winners Are

Do Teen Moms, Their Kids Get Paid?

Nine Year Old Wedding Planners?

By Rhonda Ramsey,

P.O.V. Contributing Writer

Whether you are married, divorced or engaged, your wedding day is likely one that you will never forget. Maybe your eyes water every time you think of your wedding dress. Or maybe you become emotional at the very thought of the venue. For some, the day will be not only unforgettable but controversial.

Imagine a day as significant as your wedding date planned by none other than your nine year old. Will you expect crayons at the dinner table? Princess place settings?

A BBC reality show will explore not only children who are to plan everything from wedding gowns to entertainment but will also delve into a bit of controversy.

Issues such as gay marriage and children born to unwed parents quickly became a source of contention as one critic writes, “It is a great shame that the BBC has chosen to examine marriage from a standpoint which is so biased against traditional marriage.”

Although it sounds like quite an interesting show, I am not sure it would hold my attention. There is obviously a lot of work that goes into planning a wedding, and I am not sure just how realistic such a show could be.

Justine Roberts, co-founder of parenting website Mumsnet, seems less than confident that organizing and planning a wedding is a wise way to go about tackling your wedding woes.

The mother of four told reporters, “Organizing a wedding is difficult enough for adults. My 13 year-old organized his own birthday party - with pretty disastrous consequences. I’m sure this will make for great TV, but it’s an awful lot of pressure to put on a child.”

I am not sure how I feel about my daughter or son planning my wedding, but I will say this; if I am lucky enough to be served chicken fingers and smores at a wedding reception, I may be more interested in attending than watching on television.

Source:  BBC Asks Children to Organise Their Parents' Wedding

3/6 Poll of the Week: Does What We Wear Reflect Our Self Image?

This week's Tuesday poll question is does what a person wears reflect their self image?

The results of last week's poll are below.

Create your free online surveys with SurveyMonkey, the world's leading questionnaire tool.

Last week's question: Should The Artist have won the Academy Award for best picture?

Results: Yes 0%, No 25%, Didn't see the film 75%

Parenting to the Extreme

Parents in generations pass believed in corporal punishment. Most of these forms of punishment are now considered archaic and have been replaced by more humane methods. Every once in a while, though, you'll hear of parents coming up with "creative" punishments.

This was the case for an Alaskan mother and her live-in boyfriend, with tragic consequences. In February, two girls, ages three and one, where locked overnight in their bedroom for urinating in their bed. The window was left open, reportedly to air out the room, when the temperatures were 30 degrees below zero. The one year old is hospitalized with hypothermia while the three year old died.

The boyfriend called 911 and is in police custody. He admitted to being under the influence of alcohol the night the little girl died. The mother fled and has not been apprehended.

There are so many things wrong with this situation:

• First, no child should ever be punished for soiling themselves at that young of an age. 
• Second, the boyfriend smelled of alcohol while the police were at the apartment. Obviously, he had been drinking so heavily it clouded his judgment. You can be certain this level of drunkenness is not an isolated case. 
• And, third, parents like this do not deserve to maintain custody of their children. Who knows what other abuses they suffered that authorities were unaware of? Too bad it wasn't called to their attention sooner. Would this child still be alive?

What are your thoughts on this tragedy?

Source: Police: Alaska girl locked in frigid bedroom dies; mom on lam