Well, my mission for the day was to find textbooks. I didn't find what I needed. Looks like I'm going to go without books for the semester. I just can't imagine spending $300 on books that I will only use for 4 months. And for classes I would not be taking, if I had the money to continue with my internship. So there you go.
I was starving. Mostly because I didn't eat breakfast this morning. And I spent a little longer than I had planned to, looking for my books. I wanted to stop at Carnita's Queretaro or even Taco Cabana. But I have no money. Seriously, I have $4 something in my wallet. And what I have in the bank needs to go to school. Same song...different verse.
So I made the hour trip home. And made myself a sandwich. And most people would be pretty upset. But I was grateful to have bread, cheese, and some turkey. No lie! There have been times when I had no food. Nothing in the freezer, refrigerator, or pantry. And I was hungry. There were a few times when I went to the local soup kitchen. And I was very grateful for this.
I work(ed) for the DOH. And I saw many people barely making it. On food stamps, WIC, and still needing to go to the local Food Banks. These people would break my hearts. Especially the small children. But they got some help. I never could. Because I own "too much" property for a single person. At least in the government's opinion. Um, I have a house. And I'm single. But it doesn't mean that I don't struggle too.
I learned about "Food Insecurity" in school. Being that I study nutrition, public health, mental health, pre-med, and fitness you learn about these things. I still remember that day. My professor was talking about it like it was just common knowledge. This was in 2005. 1 in 8 people were "Food Insecure" for 3/4 of the month. Meaning, they can't afford food. And have no way of getting it. The really sad part is, now it's more like 1 in 6 Americans are in need of food. In 1 year, it rose from 1 in 8, to 1 in 6. In my state, it's 1 in 3.
Immediately, I thought to myself, that's me. It really was. And still is. My parents would kill me if they knew. But I'm 27 years old. In college. And work a part time job. My money goes to overpriced tuition and books. And some stuff for my health. It's just life. And it really saddens me. But guaranteed, if people saw me in real life, they'd never have a clue that I am "Food Insecure."
I love to cook! And to be able to share with my friends and family. But there have been nights when I have gone to bed hungry. Now, I'm just grateful when I open the cabinet and see a small box of pasta and a can of tomatoes. I'm not looking for sympathy. But to share some knowledge with you. I hope you took the time to click on those 4 links.
Don't judge people for what you see. You sincerely need to walk a day in their shoes. See what their life is really about. On the outside, I'm sure people think I have it all together. But when you see me, there is a lot more going on. Think about your 8 closest friends. Can you figure out which one is suffering silently? ♥
Showing posts with label Politics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Politics. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Sunday, July 25, 2010
MAC's Rodarte Collection
It shouldn't be much of a surprise that I like to watch YouTube videos. I watch cooking, beauty, and music videos. It's something that I quite enjoy doing. The YouTube videos always seem more interesting than TV to me.
But last week, I seen this video. And to be completely honest, it angered me...
It angered me, because Katherine does not seem well educated on the entire subject matter. And she is throwing out accusations about MAC, Rodarte, and the entire Juarez situation. So I commented. And she didn't approve my comments. I figured because I didn't agree with her opinions. And she most certainly didn't want to hear the "other" side of the story.
But then, Nat posted this video late last night. And I felt like she addressed the topic in a more tasteful manner. She didn't try and shove it down your throat. So I sent her a message. Because I felt like I could give her more of my side of the story. The side that frequently is overlooked and not discussed.
Why am I so passionate about this topic? Because I live and work in the Borderland. And I frequently go across the border for college and professional projects. Not to party. But to go and help the people in Juarez. Mostly the kids and the women.
There is so much violence going on. And people just don't care. We hear about it every single day on the news. Mass graves are found. Shootouts are happening. But the news rarely, if ever, leaves this area. On Friday, another mass grave was found. Over 30 bodies. There have been countless shootouts this past month. During one of those shootouts, bullets made their way to the US side of the border. Into a government building. But how many Americans hear about that?
I see myself as someone who is well educated on the topic. One year, we made life sized dolls. Each representing a woman who had been murdered, or was missing. And we put them up on our college campus. To signify the women who were affected by the violence. That was probably the first time people really began to see the violence as a serious issue.
So when I heard that MAC Cosmetics was teaming up with Rodarte, for a collection based on the violence in Juarez, I was happy. I figured the story would finally be told to a wide variety of people. I agree, the PR for the collection was handled poorly. But to sit here and tear down a company because they are trying to bring light to this topic, it's ridiculous!
I see MAC as trying to spread the word about the violence. I've known women and children who have been killed. I watch the news every sing night. And I see what the violence is doing to the Borderland. Not just Juarez. I applaud MAC for trying to bring this topic to light.
I work in the medical field. Many times, my life is endangered to save these women and children. I can't even began to tell you how many times I've been loaded into an ambulance, wearing a helmet and a bullet proof vest, to go pick up someone who is injured. Just a few months ago, 2 Americans were killed. Because they would provide aid to the children of Juarez. The man was a police office in the US. And the lady, she was expecting the couple's 2nd child.
The violence is maddening. But people's ignorance, it tears me apart more. People are always quick to judge. But they forget that there is a story to be told. That people live a life. That not everyone's life is the same. There are young women working in maquillas, making goods that we buy, in very poor conditions. The same age as the countless teenage girls who are on YouTube making videos about the new MAC collections.
I do admit, MAC failed miserably with this collection. They could have donated more money to the various groups that assist in Juarez. Their advertising posters were not well thought out. But the names of the various products, I see nothing wrong with it. Actually, I had printed off some PR stuff that I had come across. And I took it with me one day. The women were really excited about this. They felt like so many people would learn about their stories. And maybe, help would come.
None were offended by the names. We talked about it. Including mothers who had lost their children. But people jumped the gun here. I'm disappointed in the ignorance of people. Their complete inability to go out and do some research for themselves. This was a good thing. And now, so many people have helped to put a black cloud over it. Remember, knowledge is everything. Educate yourself on the topic before speaking out. Know about the topic before making judgements and trying to prosecute people. MAC was looking to do some good for a community that desperately needs it.♥
But last week, I seen this video. And to be completely honest, it angered me...
It angered me, because Katherine does not seem well educated on the entire subject matter. And she is throwing out accusations about MAC, Rodarte, and the entire Juarez situation. So I commented. And she didn't approve my comments. I figured because I didn't agree with her opinions. And she most certainly didn't want to hear the "other" side of the story.
But then, Nat posted this video late last night. And I felt like she addressed the topic in a more tasteful manner. She didn't try and shove it down your throat. So I sent her a message. Because I felt like I could give her more of my side of the story. The side that frequently is overlooked and not discussed.
Why am I so passionate about this topic? Because I live and work in the Borderland. And I frequently go across the border for college and professional projects. Not to party. But to go and help the people in Juarez. Mostly the kids and the women.
There is so much violence going on. And people just don't care. We hear about it every single day on the news. Mass graves are found. Shootouts are happening. But the news rarely, if ever, leaves this area. On Friday, another mass grave was found. Over 30 bodies. There have been countless shootouts this past month. During one of those shootouts, bullets made their way to the US side of the border. Into a government building. But how many Americans hear about that?
I see myself as someone who is well educated on the topic. One year, we made life sized dolls. Each representing a woman who had been murdered, or was missing. And we put them up on our college campus. To signify the women who were affected by the violence. That was probably the first time people really began to see the violence as a serious issue.
So when I heard that MAC Cosmetics was teaming up with Rodarte, for a collection based on the violence in Juarez, I was happy. I figured the story would finally be told to a wide variety of people. I agree, the PR for the collection was handled poorly. But to sit here and tear down a company because they are trying to bring light to this topic, it's ridiculous!
I see MAC as trying to spread the word about the violence. I've known women and children who have been killed. I watch the news every sing night. And I see what the violence is doing to the Borderland. Not just Juarez. I applaud MAC for trying to bring this topic to light.
I work in the medical field. Many times, my life is endangered to save these women and children. I can't even began to tell you how many times I've been loaded into an ambulance, wearing a helmet and a bullet proof vest, to go pick up someone who is injured. Just a few months ago, 2 Americans were killed. Because they would provide aid to the children of Juarez. The man was a police office in the US. And the lady, she was expecting the couple's 2nd child.
The violence is maddening. But people's ignorance, it tears me apart more. People are always quick to judge. But they forget that there is a story to be told. That people live a life. That not everyone's life is the same. There are young women working in maquillas, making goods that we buy, in very poor conditions. The same age as the countless teenage girls who are on YouTube making videos about the new MAC collections.
I do admit, MAC failed miserably with this collection. They could have donated more money to the various groups that assist in Juarez. Their advertising posters were not well thought out. But the names of the various products, I see nothing wrong with it. Actually, I had printed off some PR stuff that I had come across. And I took it with me one day. The women were really excited about this. They felt like so many people would learn about their stories. And maybe, help would come.
None were offended by the names. We talked about it. Including mothers who had lost their children. But people jumped the gun here. I'm disappointed in the ignorance of people. Their complete inability to go out and do some research for themselves. This was a good thing. And now, so many people have helped to put a black cloud over it. Remember, knowledge is everything. Educate yourself on the topic before speaking out. Know about the topic before making judgements and trying to prosecute people. MAC was looking to do some good for a community that desperately needs it.♥
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