Thursday, January 14, 2010
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Petition
Children as young as 5 years old are being forced to work on factories and farms, instead of going to school to receive an education in the Ivory Coast. These children are being used as slaves to produce chocolate, a product we as consumers purchase daily. Companies have failed to inform us about the history of their chocolate, and how it has been made. By purchasing chocolate from companies such as Hershey’s, Reese’s Pieces, Mars and many others, we are supporting the mistreatment of children in the Ivory Coast. Help end child slavery by refusing to purchase chocolate that have been made by the hands of innocent young boys and girls, by signing this petition.
http://www.PetitionOnline.com/4236/
http://www.PetitionOnline.com/4236/
Letter to Represenative
Dear Senator Barbara Boxer,
600 B StreetSan Diego, CA 92101-4508
I am writing this letter to formally express my standpoint on an issue that has been occurring for several years in the Ivory Coast. The Ivory Coast is home to 600,000 farms which are created to produce 43% of the Cocoa in the world today. Children are currently being mismanaged and forced to work on farms and factories in repulsive conditions. These children ranging from five to twelve years old are being forced to work to produce a product we, as consumers, purchase frequently: chocolate. Time magazine states that, tens of thousands of children are being forced to work on these farms, all of which have been subjected into slavery. Companies, such as Hershey’s, Ben & Jerry’s, Nestle, Kraft, See’s Candies and many other companies are selling us products without the knowledge of the history and where it came from. If someone came to you with a Hershey bar and informed you that this particular chocolate bar was made by a young child in the Ivory Coast who is beaten and mistreated, daily to create this product, would you still purchase it. We as a country are unaware of this issue, and are supporting this dilemma by buying from these companies. I feel it is important that these companies make aware where their product has came from and how children are being abused, because of these companies. These companies are aware of what is going on in the Ivory Coast and have failed to do anything about it, besides expressing their deep concern on the issue.
Once we, as a country, stop being oblivious and ignoring the issue, we can help save thousands of lives and the lives of future children who may be forced into this tragedy as well. I feel, as a leader and someone of greater power in this country, you should become aware of the ignored issues, and address them. We should be aware of what is going on within our country and how we are in any way increasing the problem, instead of creating a solution. The issue of child slavery is nothing that should be ignored. For years we have been a country in outing ourselves before others, it is time we change that pattern and help those who are in desperate need of our help. This all starts with your acknowledgement of the issue and the actions you take as a leader to help us help you solve this issue. A labeling system created in June 2001 to attempt to end child slavery by forcing chocolate companies to provide labels on their products. The purpose of this system was to inform consumers of the history of their chocolate and to identify whether or not the chocolate was considered "slave chocolate". This however failed because of the affect it had on the companies producing Cocoa from the Ivory Coast. We need to create a bill that enforces companies to address where there chocolate has been made, in result of letting consumers learn more information about what they are buying and possibly finding alternative solutions to end this chocolate slavery as well. This issue lacks attention across the media, and it is important that it gets acknowledged across newsstands and TV talk shows, so that we as a country can come together once again to fight a against a important issue.
Thank You for taking time to read this letter
Sincerely,
Makayla Matthews
San Diego, California
600 B StreetSan Diego, CA 92101-4508
I am writing this letter to formally express my standpoint on an issue that has been occurring for several years in the Ivory Coast. The Ivory Coast is home to 600,000 farms which are created to produce 43% of the Cocoa in the world today. Children are currently being mismanaged and forced to work on farms and factories in repulsive conditions. These children ranging from five to twelve years old are being forced to work to produce a product we, as consumers, purchase frequently: chocolate. Time magazine states that, tens of thousands of children are being forced to work on these farms, all of which have been subjected into slavery. Companies, such as Hershey’s, Ben & Jerry’s, Nestle, Kraft, See’s Candies and many other companies are selling us products without the knowledge of the history and where it came from. If someone came to you with a Hershey bar and informed you that this particular chocolate bar was made by a young child in the Ivory Coast who is beaten and mistreated, daily to create this product, would you still purchase it. We as a country are unaware of this issue, and are supporting this dilemma by buying from these companies. I feel it is important that these companies make aware where their product has came from and how children are being abused, because of these companies. These companies are aware of what is going on in the Ivory Coast and have failed to do anything about it, besides expressing their deep concern on the issue.
Once we, as a country, stop being oblivious and ignoring the issue, we can help save thousands of lives and the lives of future children who may be forced into this tragedy as well. I feel, as a leader and someone of greater power in this country, you should become aware of the ignored issues, and address them. We should be aware of what is going on within our country and how we are in any way increasing the problem, instead of creating a solution. The issue of child slavery is nothing that should be ignored. For years we have been a country in outing ourselves before others, it is time we change that pattern and help those who are in desperate need of our help. This all starts with your acknowledgement of the issue and the actions you take as a leader to help us help you solve this issue. A labeling system created in June 2001 to attempt to end child slavery by forcing chocolate companies to provide labels on their products. The purpose of this system was to inform consumers of the history of their chocolate and to identify whether or not the chocolate was considered "slave chocolate". This however failed because of the affect it had on the companies producing Cocoa from the Ivory Coast. We need to create a bill that enforces companies to address where there chocolate has been made, in result of letting consumers learn more information about what they are buying and possibly finding alternative solutions to end this chocolate slavery as well. This issue lacks attention across the media, and it is important that it gets acknowledged across newsstands and TV talk shows, so that we as a country can come together once again to fight a against a important issue.
Thank You for taking time to read this letter
Sincerely,
Makayla Matthews
San Diego, California
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Abstract
Abstract
For hundreds of years slavery has been an issue throughout African and neighboring countries. Men and women were forced to work on fields and farms without pay, being mistreated by controlling owners. Slavery has not been abolished, as many may have read in textbooks, it still exits. However, the abuse has not been kaen upon adults, but children a s young as 5 years old as well. These children are forced to work long hours, mistreated until the work expected is completed.In the Ivory Coast young boys and girls are working in factories producing a popular product sold by huge companies, chocolate. These young boys and girls are unable to go to school and receive an education, so with no other option, are forced into work to support their families.By purchasing the differnt types of chocolate produced by these companies, the issue of child slavery is being supported because of the knowledge that is lacked from labels pertaining to "slave chocolate". These companies fail to educate us about the history of the chocolate, that they are selling. In most cases, these companies may have little or no knowledge of the history of their product, so it is important that the government not only inform the citizens of the different countries, but the companies as well. We as consumers are buying, ignoring and neglecting the issue. In 2001 a law regarding labeling on chocolate slavery was addressed and acknowledged but failed to succeed. This law was made to try and notify consumers about which chocolate was produced in the Ivory Coast, in regards to try and stop the sell of chocolate created and produced by the children subjected in chocolate slavery. There have been thought out plans and ideas to create solutions for our health care system, problems in our government,education, but none to help end the enslavement of young children. Children who deserve the right to live life as a child, and not be treated as property by slave owners as well as their parents. This issue needs to recieve immediate attention to help solve the mismanagement of children in the Ivory Coast. As a country we need to reconsider who and what is important in life, and right now we need to focus on these children, our future. Companies need to reconsider the labels being put onto chocolate that have been produced by children in the Ivory Coast. This will not end the harsh treatment and conditions of these children, but it is a step towards change, which is better than what we are doing now, nothing. This issue needs to be recognized more throughout the media and across newsstands to bring to the attention of the consumers in our country who are big fans of chocolate. It is a time we take control of this issue and bring to the attention to our country that our future is at risk and it is up to us now to help solve it, and create a solution to a problem that has existed for years.
For hundreds of years slavery has been an issue throughout African and neighboring countries. Men and women were forced to work on fields and farms without pay, being mistreated by controlling owners. Slavery has not been abolished, as many may have read in textbooks, it still exits. However, the abuse has not been kaen upon adults, but children a s young as 5 years old as well. These children are forced to work long hours, mistreated until the work expected is completed.In the Ivory Coast young boys and girls are working in factories producing a popular product sold by huge companies, chocolate. These young boys and girls are unable to go to school and receive an education, so with no other option, are forced into work to support their families.By purchasing the differnt types of chocolate produced by these companies, the issue of child slavery is being supported because of the knowledge that is lacked from labels pertaining to "slave chocolate". These companies fail to educate us about the history of the chocolate, that they are selling. In most cases, these companies may have little or no knowledge of the history of their product, so it is important that the government not only inform the citizens of the different countries, but the companies as well. We as consumers are buying, ignoring and neglecting the issue. In 2001 a law regarding labeling on chocolate slavery was addressed and acknowledged but failed to succeed. This law was made to try and notify consumers about which chocolate was produced in the Ivory Coast, in regards to try and stop the sell of chocolate created and produced by the children subjected in chocolate slavery. There have been thought out plans and ideas to create solutions for our health care system, problems in our government,education, but none to help end the enslavement of young children. Children who deserve the right to live life as a child, and not be treated as property by slave owners as well as their parents. This issue needs to recieve immediate attention to help solve the mismanagement of children in the Ivory Coast. As a country we need to reconsider who and what is important in life, and right now we need to focus on these children, our future. Companies need to reconsider the labels being put onto chocolate that have been produced by children in the Ivory Coast. This will not end the harsh treatment and conditions of these children, but it is a step towards change, which is better than what we are doing now, nothing. This issue needs to be recognized more throughout the media and across newsstands to bring to the attention of the consumers in our country who are big fans of chocolate. It is a time we take control of this issue and bring to the attention to our country that our future is at risk and it is up to us now to help solve it, and create a solution to a problem that has existed for years.
Monday, November 2, 2009
In Defense Of Food
Q. Why do people choose to eat products that are unhealthy for them?
Majority of people choose to eat unhealthy products for various reasons such as it's taste, price, and how easy it is to access. Most unhealthy foods such as cookies and candy help satisfy cravings and help as comfort food rather than fruits and vegetables. These unhealthy foods are much affordable than purchasing high priced organic foods. Although, a huge percentage would prefer unhealthy foods over healthy, I feel if many of us were aware of the health risks in unhealthy products, this percentage would decrease. Yes, we enjoy the chocolate chip cookies and the Snickers from time to time, but the fact that we are unaware of the health related issues related to these popular sweets will eventually begin to give an negative affect on our bodies.
Q. What roles/responsibilities does the government have in framing your choice?
-Should they be responsible for educating us?
-Should they be responsible for managing all products we consume? ( Genetically modified foods, plastic chemicals, poisonous additives)
The government does play a huge role in what we eat and should be responsible for educating us on the health facts on the food products that we are buying. We are purchasing many foods that may perhaps be very dangerous to our health because of the lack of knowledge we have on various products. The government should enforce food companies to supply their product with more information on where it came from and the health risks it may have. I do feel that the government is some what aware of many food companies that are selling unfair products and is neglecting to do anything about it. The government is who people turn to for support and should be able to count on, but this cannot happen if they are not protecting us from what most of our money is going towards in the world today.
Majority of people choose to eat unhealthy products for various reasons such as it's taste, price, and how easy it is to access. Most unhealthy foods such as cookies and candy help satisfy cravings and help as comfort food rather than fruits and vegetables. These unhealthy foods are much affordable than purchasing high priced organic foods. Although, a huge percentage would prefer unhealthy foods over healthy, I feel if many of us were aware of the health risks in unhealthy products, this percentage would decrease. Yes, we enjoy the chocolate chip cookies and the Snickers from time to time, but the fact that we are unaware of the health related issues related to these popular sweets will eventually begin to give an negative affect on our bodies.
Q. What roles/responsibilities does the government have in framing your choice?
-Should they be responsible for educating us?
-Should they be responsible for managing all products we consume? ( Genetically modified foods, plastic chemicals, poisonous additives)
The government does play a huge role in what we eat and should be responsible for educating us on the health facts on the food products that we are buying. We are purchasing many foods that may perhaps be very dangerous to our health because of the lack of knowledge we have on various products. The government should enforce food companies to supply their product with more information on where it came from and the health risks it may have. I do feel that the government is some what aware of many food companies that are selling unfair products and is neglecting to do anything about it. The government is who people turn to for support and should be able to count on, but this cannot happen if they are not protecting us from what most of our money is going towards in the world today.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Deviance Social Experiment
Group Members : Makayla, Tatiana, Rafi, Zach, Jazmarie, Andreas
Objective of Social Experiment: Tatiana and I were curious how others would react if we would have an yoga session in a public place such as Mission Valley, and Horton Plaza Mall. This is considered deviant because the mall is not a place where people come and witness random people doing yoga out in the open. Jazmarie's part was to the be the teacher of the Yoga Class who lead the class and offered others to join. Zach acted as a complete stranger who joined our yoga session to perhaps get others to join it as well. Rafi played the role as an onlooker who disagreed with what we did and watched as entertainment like most of the people who stopped to watch us did. Andreas was in charge of getting the footage of those who stopped and looked at us and their reactions.
Result: During the Social experiment many people who entered the mall did stop and watch while Tatiana and I, did yoga, while others shook their head of disaprovement. No one wanted to join the yoga session when asked most likely because they did not want to be apart of something that attracted alot of attention and was considered "out of the norm".
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Novalena Betancourt's Biography
Love, connection, growth, authenticity, and relationships, are the five values that has shaped and redefined Novalena Betancourt into the woman she is today. Novalena was born in San Francisco raised by both her mother and father. Her parents have been her support system and her best friends throughout her life. She identifies her father as her hero because he has helped her understand that to fulfill dreams and aspirations, you must believe in your self and have faith to make those dreams come true. After high school, Novalena attended UC Davis for all four years and gained great relationships with new friends and teacher's as well. In her free time Novalena enjoys the outdoors such as hiking, and walking on the beach. Although she raised in an Catholic home, Novalena finds her church in nature. She also enjoys dancing, and watching movies with close friends.
Past and current relationships have helped her learn more about her self and she has learned to value every friendship she gains throughout each relationship. She is currently promoting her book, " The Total Female Package", which encourages women of all ages to love and respect themselves for who they are despite their appearances. She considered this motivational message after listening to many conversations about women's self-esteem on a radio talk show. She has also co authored with the Secret Teachers which she defined her own "Strategies For Success". Her perfect future would be marrying that perfect person, and having two kids of her own along with adopting several others and showing them the love a husband and a wife should have for one another.
Past and current relationships have helped her learn more about her self and she has learned to value every friendship she gains throughout each relationship. She is currently promoting her book, " The Total Female Package", which encourages women of all ages to love and respect themselves for who they are despite their appearances. She considered this motivational message after listening to many conversations about women's self-esteem on a radio talk show. She has also co authored with the Secret Teachers which she defined her own "Strategies For Success". Her perfect future would be marrying that perfect person, and having two kids of her own along with adopting several others and showing them the love a husband and a wife should have for one another.
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