class/reading discussion

I think we had a good approach to figuring out what project we were going to work on. I think that people need to realize that they agreed to something and not change their mind halfway through the decision. I also think that since we did come down to two groups there needs to be an efficiency while making a decision. I think that each group should be given a certain amount of time to make one last pitch about how their project affects Siena and the community and will bring about social change. During their pitch no one should be asking questions or making comments. Questions should be saved for a discussion afterwards where we should have a mediator picking people to raise their points so no one is screaming over each other. After everyone gets their points across then a vote should be taken...not everyone is going to be pleased. This also needs to be decided asap because its already midway and we are not going to have a grade if nothing is decided on.
as for the readings i agree with adams point that everything has a negative connotation surrounding it. I believe that this has to deal with the society that we live in that nitpicks at all the disadvantages and focuses on the bad. People in these kinds of society seem to give up and just fall into the stereotype and try not to get out because they believe that its not possible. they see everyone around them falling into this negative pattern that has been created by the society in which they live. Most could probably get out if they put their head to it and put in a great deal of effort.
I believe a lot of these people are judged on first impressions. These can be first impressions of their home, neighborhood, school, academics or anything else pertaining to their community. If you see someone who doesn't speak English as in reading 20 you automatically think of an immigrant and how they negatively affect our society. Reading 49 shows many similarities to situations seen today. An example is in New Orleans where a low income housing was built on a toxic waste landfill filled with toxins from hurricanes that occurred in the 70's or 80's. Multiple people in the community became sick and one woman said that out of the ten houses surrounding her about one person in each of the houses died. This was because the toxins were seeping in through the basement or into the water that they used for everyday living. On these house plots you could not even plant grass because it would not grow. Similar to the story these people did not have an active voice to speak out aganist the problem