EXPO Opression Journal

          My area of focus is segregation. Segregation is defined as the practice or policy of creating separate facilities within the same society for the use of a minority group. I chose to do my expo topic on segregation because it has come to my attention to inform people of this oppression. People are segregated based on religion, race, social class,nationality, etc.

           Segregation is oppressive because it restricts people from having the same rights as others. It is a barrier that keeps people left out because of segregation. In the book, The Outsiders, the Socs are oppressors when they get on the Greasers land when the Greasers are segregated from going on their territory. Prescriptions that are commonly heard are "white trash with mustangs" or "white trash with long greasy hair". They have internalized that they are white with different appearances. The system of the police is oppressive because they don't treat people with the same rights. It is more likely for a cop to shoot a hoodlum looking person than a well-dressed wealthy looking person. The prescriptions these people have internalized are that hoodlums are all bad. The police restricts people's lives bynot giving equal rights.

            Other people responsible for continuing this type of oppression were the colonists who came to America. They were the people who brought African Americans to have them as slaves. They were segregated from voting, owning property, and being free. These colonists contributed to the harm because they brought segregation to America that has evolved into our time period. This type of oppression can be seen in racism, which leads to horizontal violence. such as death or fighting. Racism creates a barrier by having people internalize a certain race isn't worthy of having equal rights and segregated from that.


            People who experience segregation can feel left out and pressured to do the wrong things. They feel as if they don't belong in this world and are not thinking straight. This oppression can lead to suicide or fighting. People who suffer from segregation may react by silence, which does not help them or the peiple around them. People may attempt to protect themselves by hiding and keeping it to themselves. It is usually a friend that helps them go on in life and report this oppresson since they are to afraid to inform anyone about it. The beliefs they might internalize are that they are a piece of garbage laying around ready to be stepped on all over. They start believing that they are not worthy of respect and justice.


            A connection I have to segregation is when people from a foreign coun try come to America by crossing the border illegally. These  innocent people that come to America are here to make a beeter use of their life, support their family, or just experience. The ICE police is oppressing these people by deporting them back to their country leaving their children behind, and keeping them segregated from enteringbthe border of the United States.

College For All Essay

Hello, my name is Clarissa and I come from Oakland in a school called Urban Promise Academy. My school, Urban Promise Academy, is a place I go to where I learn and have opportunities to experience different things. It is a small school, where I feel safe and feel like a family here. This school has shaped my dreams and aspirations by letting me show off my skills and talents, which has made me more confident. Here at the school they encourage me to do my best and get on Honor Roll. The teachers are very supportive and help me in my time of need. My parents have been very supportive in my life by pushing me to persevere when things get hard. They tell me to put all my time and effort into everything I set my mind to do. My parents have made me into a responsible and mature daughter and student that takes pride in her work. Since I’m from Oakland, I have heard about gang violence that occurs often in the streets of Oakland. It has made me more aware of my surroundings and a bit frightened of walking alone at night. Although Oakland maybe dangerous it has made me the person I am today. All the opportunities I have had here in Oakland wouldn’t be the same in another community. I am proud of who I am and where I come from.

One word that best describes my family, community, and school is united. My family is united because we come together in the time of need and joy. We are supportive of each other when the going gets tough or when it is all right. We are a very religious and believe in God. The way my community is united is by coming together to protest something important in life. We are persistent when we set our mind to make a change we want to see. My school, Urban Promise Academy is united because we are like a family. Everyone knows each other and somewhat get along. When there are conflicts the counselor helps them resolve it in a positive way to keep  everyone safe. Teachers are supportive when we need help They are glad to help and would take their personal time to help you.

Opportunities that have been available to me in my school is being able to experience a few days of being away from home and not using materials that I usually use. I have also been available to colleges like UC Berkeley. I have seen the classes, dorms, and libraries. An opportunity I have had in my community is going to Disneyland. If my moms boss never gave us free tickets to Disneyland I would have never been able to experience that much fun. It was an opportunity of a lifetime. Another opportunity that I have had at school is being able to teach sixth graders about different things in life. I got the opportunity to teach which has boost my confidence. Teaching has turned me into a more confident and courageous person because it helps me understand students from a different perspective. I have had the opportunity to compete at a math competition at school and have won a trophy. I also had the opportunity to compete in a spelling bee. I was one of two people chosen to represent my school, Urban Promise Academy, at the spelling bee. All of these experiences have made me who I am today.

A major issue confronting my community and school is violence. Gang violence has been a big issue in Oakland. There have been many deaths due to gang violence and many people who are not in a gang can end up dead when hanging with the wrong crowd. Weapons that are available to minors have been a major issue. More deaths have been by weapons like guns or knives because of the availability. Deaths are more common when a person is carrying a weapon. It is more likely for someone to die of a shot than just fist fighting. My role in addressing this issue is teaching it to younger kids. I am a peer educator and I teach minors about the dangers of gang violence. As a result of addressing this major issue I have changed by becoming more confident and more aware of my surroundings. It has created me into a leader because I am not afraid to step up and say what I believe in. The impact that this change has had on my dreams and aspirations is that it made reach for challenging things in life because I now know that I can persevere to overcome or succeed that challenge. It has transformed me into a courageous, confident, and outgoing person that will be able to socialize with other people. I will no longer be shy in my time of need and my time to shine. I chose to teach younger kids about this issue because it is something children need to learn in order to survive outside the doors of school. I feel like it helps them think about their decisions and I want them to have a part of me in their decisions.

Freedom

Freedom from torture and freedom from abuse

Freedom from control and freedom from misuse

Freedom to power and freedom to vote

Freedom to speak and freedom to quote

Freedom to choose and freedom to decide

Freedom to think and freedom of pride

Freedom from disrespect and freedom from inequality

Freedom to education and to equality

~Freedom to live life in peace~

   

Meet Clarissa Martinez

I am Clarissa Martinez, a 13 year old Mexican American girl that goes to Urban Promise Academy. I want to be able to go to college in the future and learn many new things. I want to experience what there is outside of Oakland, California. Some hobbies I have are playing soccer and also watching television with my family. I play on the soccer team at my school and the teams  name is UPA Warriors. People describe me as an intelligent, sporty, clumsy, and nice girl. I am intelligent because I always get good grades and put all my effort into all of my work. I am sporty because I love to play sports and the coach says that i do a good job. It is really funny that I'm clumsy because when I'm clumsy it is when I am playing a sport. When I play a sport and I am about to score I suddenly trip, but I still score a goal or touchdown. My friends say that I am nice because I help them with homework and they can trust me with anything.

The Mask I'm In

The mask I'm in

Hides the real me

Brings out the fake me

Doesn't show who I really am

This mask has two sides

For my friends and family

Different personalities for both groups

That make each one unique

Friends describe me as

Crazy, confident, courageous

That takes leadership and responsibility

In all her work

Look she's smart she must be a nerd

She must have perfect grades

Is as perfect as a barbie

But everybody makes mistakes even me

I wish they would know what I go through

constant fights between me and my sister

Aggravating my parents

And getting in trouble

It seems like I'm so innocent

But deep down I'm a wild monster

Trying to get out

From the mask I'm in

If someone could just help me

Show the world who I really am

Intelligent, argumentative,

Crazy and serious person

I want to break free

But something holds me down

It's just so difficult

With the two different groups of people

I act in a different way with each

But want to be the same with both

To be able to tell my secrets

To both family and friends that I trust

I need to break free

I want to break free

I will break free

I am free

 From the mask I'm in

In Loving Memory

Eleodoro Acosta

Hey Lolo,
Although I never met you,
I wish I did      

Because I heard you made my mom
Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwiches.
I heard you were never tired enough

To be patient and play with your grandchildren.
I would have liked to play  

Lotteria (bingo) with you, 

But I was still not here.
It would have been nice for you to  

Defend me when my parents got mad.
You would tell me that I was 

Intelligent, beautiful, and 

Looked like my mom.
I found out that you loved chocolate milk, 

Which is better than white.
They say you wore a red handkerchief  

Around your neck.
And always had Oso, your dog, 

By your side.
I wish I could have met you, 

But a tragic accident happened 

Where you ended up dead.
I wish I could have hugged you  

Every time I saw you.
You would have always been there, 

But I will never know.
Your death was what God wanted.
I love you great-grandpa!

From your great-granddaughter,
Clarissa Martinez