Tuesday, February 23, 2021

Amaanah Othman, 2/22/21, PD 8, Day C

Amaanah Othman, Period 8, 2/22, Day C


What are your thoughts and feelings about issues of inequity, oppression, and/or
power?
- Recently Texas was hit with a snowstorm that left many shivering, struggling, and
some even dead. The brutal temperature and harsh weather caused millions to
lose power. Since I am always on social media because I love to learn more about
what's going on around the world, I've come across many people laughing at
those in texas. People were mocking those suffering and saying it is what they
deserved for being a red state. However, many people in texas are low
income/minorities that did not vote red that are going to suffer EXTREMELY
due to the extremities of the storm who will be in the worst conditions after this
storm. Nonetheless, even if you voted red or not, that should not be a
determining factor to whether people freeze to death or not. Texan infrastructure
is not made to withstand such extreme cold harsh weather since it's unusual, so
peoples houses were completely frozen, their ceilings cracking, no insulation, no
electricity, and the water systems were not working. People from texas were all
over social media telling of what is happening and begging for help. What made
me even more upset is when Ted Cruz, a senator for Texas, decided that during
this storm he was going to leave the struggling people of Texas AND his own
poodle behind and take a trip to a nice warm Mexico. This caused an uproar
amongst both Texans and non-Texans, so much that he packed his bags again
and returned. Amidst his journey to Mexico and back, a child in Texas passed
away due to the conditions. This highlights the power inequality and the
inequality of struggles between classes, and between politicians and the average
person. What type of system do we have in place that a politician is so
inconsiderate as to run away to Mexico as the people in his state are hurting and
dying from the storm? What type of system do we have in place that even
ALLOWS a senator to do such a thing? I was so deeply disappointed with Ted
Cruz's actions, though i'm not surprised, and I am very upset at how many people
were just simply left with no help or aid. Something that was also pointed out was
that refugees were left freezing on the border. This absolutely disgusted me. So
Ted Cruz decided to cross the border for the “safety of his family” and for a better
“life” till the storm leaves, however, when those leave war torn or struggling
countries, this excuse is not one taken seriously and is often mocked. The
inequality of classes, ethnicities and races, and politicians compared to the
common people is starting to be exposed a lot more and it should be dealt with
and abolished.

How do you reflect critically on your own beliefs, assumptions, values, and experiences,
and how these can influence your perception of self and others?
- I use my beliefs, values, and experience to fight for those struggling against
the system and to educate others to do as well. I have always been one to
tell people that politicians are not our friends and definitely not the type of
people to “stan”, because at the end of the day they are not perfect and
going to disappoint many. This is especially true in my opinion with
american politicians. Texas is a perfect example of how the system in place
allows for the millions who suffered and for Ted Cruz's selfish trip to
Mexico. Forty seven people were reported to be dead, a number that could
have been avoided or at least reduced if the system we have in place
actually cared for the common people. Though America is a country that
loves to brag, we're far from perfect and were definitely not prepared for
most (as you can see with Covid and the extreme change in weather). More
people need to unlearn that America is the “best” with the “best”
politicians. People need to demand change and people need to fight
together against a harmful system.

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