First Boston Snowstorm

Snowy pictures...

Change is possible

I want to change the world. This simple fact is part of what has propelled me into the field of social work, even before I realized that was the path I was on. This might sound like a naive, idealistic sentiment - wanting to change the world. Or maybe it's been said and thought so much that it has lost it's meaning for many of us. For me, however, the sentiment behind this statement is incredibly meaningful. I know that I can make a difference. We all impact the lives of others in ways that we are often not even aware of. How many of us can think of a teacher, supervisor, or friend who has made a difference in our lives? Do these people know the impact they've had on us? Have we told them or thanked them? Sometimes, yes. Often, no. Sometimes we don't even realize the difference people have made on our lives until we think back on it many years later. Anyone can change the world. We change it one person at a time, one moment at a time. We change it with our attitudes and our behaviors. We can change it in our personal lives and our professional lives. Sometimes though, it doesn't feel like enough to cause change one person at a time. Sometimes the circumstances and social institutions with which individuals must contend on a regular basis seem like obstacles too large to overcome. This is when we want to change the larger societal issues rather than just help the individuals. As long as people have problems like poverty, racism, sexism, and homophobia to contend with, helping the individual can only bring us so far in the realm of change. We need to help people on both the individual level and the larger societal level. And this brings us to my current dilemma: where do I want to start?

You know you go to a Catholic college when...

I am not happy about attending a Catholic university right now.

On my way to class this evening I was in my own little world, listening to music and thinking about who knows what, when I came across many small white crosses standing upright in the grass near my classroom building. I was immediately curious what message they were intended to send. Then I saw the large sign that went with them. It stated something along the lines of "Each cross represents 10 women and children who are victimized by abortion everyday." I read the sign three times before it fully computed. I kept getting stuck on the word "victimized". The crosses were supposed to be grave markers I realized. Yes I am pro-choice, but my issue with this anti-abortion imagery is not that it is pro-life, but rather that they appear to be going for shock value rather than voicing a message of substance. I find the imagery and the message on the sign to be offensive and problematic. This idea that women are being "victimized" by abortion is condescending. I think what bothers me most though is that the college must have endorsed this demonstration. People have the right to voice their opinions, but I also have the right to go to class without being accosted by offensive imagery. Hold meetings, share information at them, advertise for the meetings, but do not use shock tactics and do not force me to view your offensive imagery by putting it where I need to go to get to class. Your right to express your views should not impinge on my right to go to class without being harassed.

Prop 8

I found this image here and had to borrow it. It seems like a great way to sum up what happened with Prop 8 in California. Speaking of which, this Saturday, November 15th, cities across the country are engaging in protests of Prop 8 at the same time (1:30pm EST, 10:30am PST). Check out this site if you want to learn more.

Fall in New England

These are a little late since it's almost winter now, but here are some pictures of the beauty of a New England Autumn. This is definitely one thing that the Northeast does better than the Northwest!

Obama: President of... the world?

Wow. I knew that Obama getting elected was a big deal, but I had no idea how big it was internationally.








People in various parts of Africa reacting to Obama becoming president:

Fruit flies, autism, and Sarah Palin

Wow... so I didn't actually know that fruit fly research is contributing to advances in understanding of Autism, however, I'm not the VP candidate who insulted fruit fly research on national television! Check out the clip...