Northeastern University

Francisca Fils-Aime

Exercise 7.4: Redirecting Around Roadblocks

November 9th, 2009 by filsf | Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Recently, in my Ecology class, my professor was going over what was going to be on the midterm. From his discussion on the midterm, I, along with A LOT of my fellow classmates, understood that, basically, all that we really needed to know were key concepts and a few random things. We really severely mistaken. Many of us did poorly. One of my friends spoke to the professor about the midterm and he seem really adamant about having communicated clearly to us about what was going to be on the midterm. Obviously, there was a break in communication.

I think others’ behaviors to this “event” was understandable. Many students e-mailed the professor to express their feelings. From my immediate knowledge, no one choose to go to the professor and have a scream-fest with them about their grades, which I think, is what would have happened in high school. Instead, people went to go speak to him one-on-one, like myself, or e-mailed him.

I would guess to the professor it might have felt like he was being attacked because so many students spoke to him about the issue. It could have also come out as us blaming him for our bad grade. I do think that he could have told us more clearly what was on the exam, I myself, know that sometimes I have problems understanding a couple of my greek teachers. I could have tried double checking on what he meant or going to speak to him after class, but I didn’t. I just figured things would work themselves out. All in all, I think both parties were at fault, myself more so, because my attention in that class hasn’t been the strongest it could be.

About A Boy Who Isn’t

November 9th, 2009 by filsf | Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

In simple terms; I don’t understand why there are transgender issues. I advocate fluidity. People should be free to be whatever.

M. was an extremely lucky one. There are way too many horror stories about transgender people.

If I was in M.’s principal and mom’s positions, I would definitely lie for him. There aren’t very many ways to keep transgender people safe. Actually, lying is the only way I can think. Sometimes, immorality is right.

I can’t really determine M.’s safety depending on which country he is in. He can meet some very nice people in America, which he did, who will care for him and are willing to go to extremes to keep him safe, or he can meet horrible people who want to debauch him. The same can be said for Greece. However, I do think M. has a better chance at a peaceful life here in Greece, because people here seem to be really comfortable and accepting of sexuality. Just today I saw a group of young boys kissing each other on both cheeks -on a bus- as a way of saying goodbye. I remember thinking “that would not fly in America.”

I remember seeing the movie Boys Don’t Cry. After it, much like after this article, About a Boy Who Isn’t, I just couldn’t think.  I couldn’t form thoughts not because I was so horrified (which I am), but because the issue has too much of a nonexistent basis.

I really cannot fathom peoples’ need for cruelty. Honestly.

Gendered Experiences In Greece

November 2nd, 2009 by filsf | Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

I haven’t had any notable experiences concerning gender, nor have I spoken to a greek person about their sexuality. However, I have noticed something that has been fairly obvious to me from the beginning. “Different strokes for different folks”. At the beginning of our stay in Greece, two greek people came to speak to us about greek living. One of the speakers explained to us that there is a blatant sexuality among the greek folks. Women and men are not afraid to stare at each other, for long periods of time. In fact, it is very much acceptable and apart of the culture. However, during a Global Learning class, a student explained that while speaking to the taxi driver, the driver said that greek girls are usually quiet and shy, as opposed to American girls.  Women blatantly staring at a man and shy/quiet females don’t really seem to go hand and hand. Why? Because. “Different strokes for different folks”.

However, I have noticed a sort or repetition when it comes to fashion styles. There doesn’t seem to be too much diversity within that area, but I think that happens everywhere. People find a style they like and stick with it. Here, it seems that the hammer-parachute-pant is the new fad. As for the older generation, they do not really follow that particular trend, but I think that can be said for old people everywhere. They are too wise to be pulled into such things. I don’t mean to say that every single young person in Greece wears parachute pants. There are still individuals who seek to break from the norm, just as in other societies. It is simply the fad now, that holds a large majority captivated.

Exercise 6.1: Reflecting on Community Partnerships

November 2nd, 2009 by filsf | Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Recently, a student from Harvard University, Tobi Lee, who is studying Film, came to speak to me and my group. Tobi Lee spoke us on the different aspects of film and how one would go about rewriting a movie review. This was very helpful because it reminded me that a film review shouldn’t just contain a synopsis on the plot of the movie. While I did find this information helpful, I wasn’t too active in Tobi Lee’s discussion because I only had limited knowledge on her lecture topic. I noticed that the students who were vigorously participating in the lecture were students whose major had something to do with the artistic nature of film.

I don’t really feel any way about the interaction between the group and Tobi Lee. I think she did a good job on her presentation on film. No, I wasn’t really enthused by the discussion, but it served its purpose. I feel that I have a better understanding on how to go about writing a movie review. Honestly, I wasn’t expecting the interaction to be as interesting as it was. Although I didn’t really contribute to the discussion, I wasn’t miserable listening to what was being said around me, as I typically am during lectures. I don’t know what Tobi Lee expected when she came in to talk to us about film. She could have expected to be talking to a bunch of kids that wouldn’t listen or interact with her or she could have expect to have a riveting discussion on film.

I don’t see how culture played into this particular interaction. As for the influence of power, I feel like Tobi was on the same level as the group, because she is still a student and working with the film festival as a way to explore her college thesis. Understanding my service was the whole point of this interaction, I feel. I went into the discussion feeling like I had an inadequate understanding of film, but by the time the session was over I relearned what to look for in a movie.

I don’t have any plans for relating to future community partners. Whatever happens, happens. This experience hasn’t changed my person understanding of “service”. As always culture will be acknowledge and respect no matter what I am doing in life. However, my understanding of “power” won’t impact m interactions with community partners in the future. Maybe, next time, I will try to participate more in group discussions, even if I don’t have a strong idea of what is being discussed, maybe.

Exercise 5.1

October 19th, 2009 by filsf | Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

To me service is giving without asking for in return. I think that I have given service to others by doing things like; paying for a friend’s meal, giving money to the needy, or helping a teacher carry a heavy bag.

I am the most important person in my life. I can’t say that I can draw from mentors or other people who have committed acts of service deemed mentionable. My want to help another human being is an instinct. That instinct hasn’t been modified by other philanthropists. I was born wanting to help others. If this doesn’t seem believable, by all means, prove me wrong.

I don’t identify myself with any culture. I am not worried about what other people do as long as it isn’t detrimental to another. Like I stated in the beginning of this blog I am the most important person in my life and I was born with the desire to help others. As long as I fulfill that desire, then all is right.

Experience in Greece Thus Far

October 19th, 2009 by filsf | Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Greece has not been disappointing. I came here thinking that I would be going to a country to find more similarities than differences with the people in comparison to myself. I am not here representing a whole nation or race of people. If the greek people wish to see as simply an American or black person, then that is their choice. The country in which I live in and my race don’t define me. As such, I can’t really say that I have experienced true culture shock. Of course, I notice the differences, but the world is full of paradoxes. I don’t have to understand them all. I would be lying if I said that I didn’t miss my mom’s cooking or even the heavenly journey to a heart attack that is American Fast Food. However, I have been introduced to some amazing food here, such as gelato, which is the best non-ice cream in existence.

I have also notice that there is a certain intimacy amongst the Greek people. Men feel free to caress each others faces and aren’t automatically deemed homosexual, as if it were a heinous crime. The is also a certain naturalistic vulgarity to the Greeks. It is accepted behavior to gawk and practically undress a stranger with one’s eyes.

Then there is sweet mediation. The Greeks set aside hours in a day reserved for relaxation and meditation. I have never yet experienced something like this. In America, there appears to be no time for rest. We must work until we eliminate the “competition” and if that means neglect of one’s family or unadulterated exhaustion then so be it.

In the end, though, I think that we are all just people. I’d rather notice differences and respect then sitting and continuously dissecting them.

Exercise 3.3 Who Am I and What Do I Bring?

October 12th, 2009 by filsf | Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

I am clumped in the female African-American category. I am an Atheist. I don’t have a physical ability. However a mental and/or emotional ability of mine is being able to withstand discontent, silently. I am a part of the lower middle class. I happen to be eighteen years old. I have limbs, skin, eyeballs, hair, fingernails, teeth, a tongue, a nose, ears, nostrils, a mouth, and other things I can’t think to mention. A very average physical appearance. My sexual orientation varies between asexuality and the feeling same amount of dismay towards everyone.

I have been my own source of strength growing up. I don’t feel comfortable posting difficulties that I’ve faced on the internet.

My background and identity have affected my fit in this universe. I trust myself before I trust anyone else. I know that when disaster strikes, I’ll be okay. Honestly, I don’t know how my past experience will affect my fit into the Global Learning classroom. I might be able to relate to the students in my class and I might not be able to. I can’t determine that now. As of now, I don’t see any connection to my identity and/or background and the Film Festival, my service site. I might discover a film that I can really relate to and I might not. In both case with the Global Learning classroom and my service site anything can happen.

Social Context of Service Site

October 12th, 2009 by filsf | Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

My service site director, Danae Mikelli, pretty much sets up weekly meetings in which my fellow volunteers and I discuss how we are going to work with the film festival. Even though the film festival doesn’t start until November, Danae has asked us what we would like to do during the festival.

During one of our first meetings Danae gave us an assignment that required us to make a one minute film of sorts that told of our personal stories. Many of us used pictures set to motion. When those who used actual film presented their videos, Danae seemed really pleased. I could tell that film was a passion of hers, especially when she asked “Do you see how film is so much more powerful than pictures?” Now, while I don’t necessarily agree with her opinion I can still respect her passion for film.

During our last meeting, she set up a sort of test run for us. Danae assigned us a movie to watch, Antichrist, and gave us specific jobs in regards to the film. We were divided into movie reviewers and picture and video takers. Danae gave us this job so that we could experience a little of what we will be doing during the film festival.

Danae, also, invited a Harvard University student in Social Anthropology and Film and Visual Studies, Toby Lee, to speak to us on film techniques just so we will have a better understanding of the work directors put into making their films.

So, even though the actual film festival isn’t here yet, the process is. The work that goes into the festival has already started to take place.

Millennium Development Goals–Combating Diseases

October 5th, 2009 by filsf | Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

On a note completely foreign to myself, I am going to be optimistic. I think that we can combat HIV/AIDs, malaria, and other diseases. In fact, we’re already doing it, but in different ways.

The lifespan of a person with HIV/AIDs has noticeably increased. It used to be that someone with HIV/AIDs was expected to die at the age of twenty-five, but now people are surpassing that deadline. This can be a result of many things. It can be accredited to the new medicines available or in some place people claim that herbal treatments and prayer are responsible. Whether this increase in the life expectancy for victims of HIV/AIDs can be accredited to medicinal or spiritual develops is arguable, but that does matter. HIV/AIDs is not an instance death sentence anymore. It can be fought.

As for malaria, money is being raised to buy bed-nets to keep the malaria-carrying insect from biting and infecting children in Africa, where the disease is really prominent. People are aware and they care. There are so many fundraisers for children with malaria. We are trying and making notable headway in ending the problem before it begins. Or if the bed-nets are viewed as a temporary solution, we can take Bill Gate’s advise and focus our efforts on creating a panacea for the disease.

Then there are other diseases, such as cancer, specifically breast cancer. The survival rate for breast cancer has leaped exponentially and we are certainly proud about that. That’s why breast cancer is so broadcasted. We know that we can fight it and have a really good chance of defeating it. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for other forms of cancer, especially the rarer forms. However, we have made improvements and credit should be given where it’s due.

I know that there are a lot of diseases, but I think that we stand a good chance at combating all of them. The goal doesn’t call for inventing something that cures every single diseased ridden victim, it calls for us to start giving victims a fighting chance. We can do that, especially if we remove our heads from our asses and cross medicinal barriers, which is what Doctors Without Borders is doing. Let’s join forces with the Soviet Union or the Middle East and discover new medicines that we know nothing about, medicines that might be able to fight for a life.

I think we can combat HIV/AIDs, malaria, and other disease by 2015. This goal is so beyond attainable. We are already doing it, we just need to amplify our efforts.

Service

October 5th, 2009 by filsf | Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

My service site is the Film Festival. I am working with a small group and one site director, Danae Mikelli. So far we have not been given specific jobs, but there is a lot of preplanning that goes into the Film Festival. We have to make flyers, set up a blog, and even create a Film Festival Facebook or Twitter because we need more people to know about the festival. We have had one assignment, which was to create a personal video that allows our site director and others to get to know us. The video assignment was pretty cool because I got to know the members in my group. I am excited for the festival to actual start. It is going to be amazing. There will be foreign films and art. I might even get the opportunity to meet film directors and artists.

I actually think that my group has a lot to offer the festival. This is going to be the first year that the Film Festival is broadcasted on the internet, which is something that I definitely think that my group can handle. We are a technology obsessed generation after all. Also, many of the students working with the film festival are into the artsy scene, so designing posters and attracting attention to the festival shouldn’t be too challenging.

I am confident that things will turn out great. It might get a little hectic, but I think that we’re all ready to be really busy. I am very aware that the Film Festival is a big deal to a lot of people, so there is some pressure to make the festival a success. Also, I know that   the festival is big part of Danae’s, my site director’s, life. So, if any of us screws up it will seriously affect people other than ourselves. The festival is a big deal and I am very aware of that.