Book Review: Out of the Depths, by Isabelle Knockwood

Book review: Out of the Depths: The Experience of Mi'kmaw Children at the Indian Residential School at Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia, new extended edition

Author: Isabelle Knockwood

Publisher: Roseway Publishing (2001)

Number of Pages: 176

Subject: Education, history, residential schools

Issues Paper: Overrepresentation of Aboriginals in the Justice System

There is overwhelming statistical evidence that Aboriginal people are overrepresented in prisons and the criminal justice system. The majority of Aboriginal prisoners, as compared to non-Aboriginal prisoners, started serving time at a younger age, have trouble with drugs and alcohol, and are represented almost exclusively by legal aid. There is a tremendous lack of resources for Aboriginals across Canada. It can be inferred from statistical evidence that overrepresentation of Aboriginals in the criminal justice system is more of a social issue rather than a criminal one.

Documentary Review: The Gods of our Fathers

Documentary Review: The Gods of our Fathers (1994)
Directed by Anne Henderson
Script by Gwynne Dyer
Hosted by Gwynne Dyer
Run time: 50 min

Topless in Manhattan?

In 1992, a law was passed that gave women the right to go shirtless anywhere in Manhattan. Philadelphia topless activist Moira Johnston, most often seen in the East Village, wants to raise awareness of it.
Back in May, she was detained by cops for walking shirtless in public, then released shortly afterwards when they realized she wasn’t breaking any laws.
(http://mashable.com/2012/10/08/people-new-york/#93761East-Village-Topless-Lady

I have included this post in my blog as a reaction to our class on sex education. This is not directly related to sex education, or rather the lack-there-off, but it exemplifies some of the problems we covered when dealing with how white males historically (and still do to a large extent) oppress women's rights to her body. If a man had been walking down the street with his shirt off it would not have been questioned. But when a women does this, even though it is equally as legal, she gets in trouble for it. 

Critical Reflection Paper: Racism and White Privilege

“I’m colour-blind.” “Racism doesn’t exist anymore.” “I have a black friend, so I’m not racist.”  I have heard all of these statements first hand from white people.  Is it possible that people can be truly colour-blind?  Does racism still exist?  I will argue that white privilege and racism are still quite alive in our society.

Issues Paper: Women in the Workplace

Women are gaining ground in obtaining university degrees, employment, and reaching senior positions.  However, women are still severely underrepresented at the top corporate levels and on corporate boards, despite the fact that studies indicate that companies with more women in senior positions perform better than those without.  In the following issue paper, I will explore some of the social forces that work on marginalizing women in the workplace.

Critical Reflection Paper: Learning Styles and Oppression

Every individual has his or her unique style of learning and, in turn, has an idea of what it means to be taught. What then, is the issue with education? I will argue that when one understands the distinction between learning and regurgitation of information, the problem with education as we know it will become clear. There is a hidden curriculum in schools that encourages oppression of students through normalizing power, discursive power, and disciplinary power.