My Social Awareness Project

1. Media/News Immersion: Watch the news and/or read a newspaper every day. Keep a daily diary for at least five days. For each day choose 1 or 2 articles/news stories to focus on. Summarize the news stories and write about your reaction to it. What does it make you think, feel, and/or know? Finally, write your final reflection on what you learned and realized from the experience.

Day 1 – November 15, 2012

Source– Eyewitness News at 5:00pm Report-“Murder Incident”

Summary: This report explains about Pedro Hernandez being accused of killing Etan Patz 10 years ago. Pedro is explaining the truth that he may have killed Etan. Many think that he may have not strangled or killed the child but at court is where the truth will be found. But Pedro’s lawyer says he is not guilty. Next month he will go to court and face his consequences.

Social Issue: The social issue in this report on “Murder Incident” is fear. Even though this guy may have been caught this can give people the fear of happening in the future. This child has been kidnapped and killed and this can happen anywhere. If many have seen this report they can keep that this can happen to anyone at any time.

Day 2 – November 20, 2012

Source– Eyewitness News at 5:00pm Report – “On the Brink!”

Summary– This report explains about the attacks at Israel by Hamas. Hamas does not want peace at Israel so he sets of rockets in Israel. Many innocent people are dying from all the mistles and rockets landing in homes. People are trying to move but all they see are destruction that is ruining there chances. Here in Manhattan people protesting for Israel to have peace. But Hamas does not want peace.

Social Issue – The social issue in this report “On the Brink” is very unfair. There are many people who are suffering from all this damage. Hamas is letting of rockets that are harming many people. Many are leading to death and shelter is lost for others. Many people are now asking for peace but Hamas will not listen.

Day 3 - November 19, 2012

Source- Eyewitness News at 5:00pm Report-“Road to Recovery”

Summary - This report is explaining the recovery from Hurricane Sandy. Many people have been affected by hurricane sandy. Now it’s the time for people to go back to their normal routine. But many are struggling trying to fix homes, find food, transportation problem (etc.) but people are going to try even while helping strangers.

Social Issue – The social issue in the report “Road to Recovery” is very unpredictable. There may not be a way to fix this but the government may be trying. The people are trying the best to find shelter, food, transportation but there are no ways government can fix up all these troubles at once.

Day 4 – November 25, 2012

Source – Eyewitness News at 6:00pm Report– “Road to Recovery”

Summary- This report is another add on to November 19, 2012. Many are still trying to find ways to settle after Hurricane sandy. Now many people are looking for jobs. There are job applications being handed out by the federal government. With the big line of people waiting for a job many wonder will they get a job application?

Social Issue- The social issue in the report “Road to Recovery” many are just patient. The problem here is many are anxious to get a job to help repair after the storm. I think the government is helping but people should ask other places for jobs. This is really important so people can’t wait to get a job.

Day 5- November 26, 2012

Source – Eyewitness News at 5:00pm Report– Murder Incident 2

Summary – This report is about the murder of 67 year old Laurie Forgeson. She was murdered by a man who left at the scene. The woman was found in the river the morning after. The information found was the killer was with another man and women. Policies are still looking for the murderer.

Social Issue – The social issue in this report “Murder Incident 2” is very impatient. Many like me want to know who this killer is and why he murdered these women. I think the issue is that the government just doesn’t have the right defense system to stop these crimes.

Reflection: Over the last 1-2 weeks I have been keeping a daily diary of Eyewitness News at 5:00-6:00 pm. I have taken note of the social issues that have been going around the world. I have encountered many issues that have been going on for many days. I have found that all these issues have a pattern of life and death. Many are dying from rockets, murders, weather conditions. And some are just thankful to have survived very scary situations. All the following situations make everyone think why the world keep brings on more and more danger.

5. Write an original literacy piece (poem, song, short dramatic scene, personal narrative, etc.) responding to a specific social problem/issue. Write a 3-5 paragraph reading response. What problem/issue is it about? What is the message? What does the text make you think, feel, and/or know about the issue?

                                              Haiku Poem on Hurricane Sandy

                                                    Strong winds, heavy rain

                                        Blowing all around, destroying building

                                               Lives ruined, people gone

                                           Limerick Poem on Hurricane Sandy

                                                   There was a terrible storm
                                            The storm ruined neighbors home
                                                    This storm is very strong
                                              It will be remembered lifelong
                                              I hope many homes will reform

     The two poems I have written are al relating to the destruction of Hurricane Sandy. During the last weeks of October 2012 many states had been hit by the strong winds, and heavy rain of Hurricane sandy. The people are trying to help out others by donating money or lending a hand. Many are suffering from the cold weather and may not have shelter for months. Many are looking for jobs that can raise some money to help out the family. But this Hurricane will be remembered for life. This storm has affected all the boroughs. The only thing the hurricane left was misery and shattered homes.

     I didn’t get as much destruction as places like Rockaway, and Red Hook did. People all around are cleaning up and finding a way to start again. But no one knows what can happen next with all the cold weather. I hope that many can go back to normal. I don’t like seeing people suffer from all this trouble. With a little help we can change a person’s life.

2. Observe Your Surrounding (school, home, neighborhood, and media) - Write a list about all the scenes or situation you come across on a daily basis that you think are unfair and/or not right in some way. Pick one of these ideas from your list and write a longer entry about it - 2-3 paragraphs. Describe the problem, what’s wrong with it, cause and effect, and possible solutions.

Scenes or Situations

- Teasing
- Littering
- Peer Pressure
- Conditions of the surroundings
- Disrespectful language

Problem – Disrespectful language:

    The problem I see around my neighborhood is disrespectful language. There are many students and families who use disrespectful language that can hurt others. There are kids who live on my neighborhood who make racism jokes. They may find these jokes funny but to others this hurts feelings for others. There are families who don’t ask as family. When I walk outside I can hear families cursing at each other. They may have a problem that can be solved again.
    This issue of disrespectful language can hurt many. I may not have experienced much severe case but others have had their feeling hurt. These problems should be faced together and they shouldn’t hurt feelings. People should sit tighter and talk the problem through. There may be solutions from talking the problems through. These can cause even bigger trouble. Some may lead into fights and worse scenarios.