Welcome to our SWk 254 Web-Blog!

Hello Students of SWK 254:

Together we begin a semester of new learning and growth....The purpose of the Blog, is to provide our class with a space to respond to weekly readings and class sessions, in ways that will positively draw us to a better understanding of ourselves and others. We can post our questions, comments and stories. I encourage you to respond throughout the course to the many activities and readings. This activity will assist in developing personal awareness and insight into your reactions, thoughts, feelings that are experienced during class, from readings, and related activities, and to communicate on a personal level w/ your fellow students and course instructor.

Hope Abounds,
Mayra Lopez-Humphreys
Assistant Professor
Department of Social Work
Nyack College
mayra.humphreys@nyack.edu

My role in confronting injustice

After class I thought about our class discussion on what we can do as individuals to bring about change wherever there is an injustice. I believe that my first responsibility is to educate myself on the issue. Because the distribution of wealth is not spread abroad equally, there are many people who are poor or even homeless, to me this is a great injustice. To tackle this problem, first I will commit to finding out as much information as possible concerning homelessness. I would also like to reach out to those who are homeless and hear from their mouths the steps that lead them to homelessness. As an individual, I can also volunteer at varies non-profit organizations that are created to counsel and help those who are homeless. Taking these measures will certainly help in combating this injustice.

With love,
Tanisha

My Heart Goes Out to the First Nations People

By reading about the history of Native Americans, I learned that both British and Americans deliberately caused germ warfare. The idea of spreading diseases intentionally is dreadful. I do agree that the indigenous people are currently experiencing unresolved grief. Certainly, overcoming great obstacles is not easy, but can be accomplished. As social workers we can reach out to Native Americans with compassion. If we work with the First Nations People with love, I believe that they will be receptive and learn to trust the American people.

With love
Tanisha

Welcome to Our SWK 254 Blog-Web Page!

Hello Students of SWK 254:

Together we begin a semester of new learning and growth....The purpose of the Blog, is to provide our class with a space to respond to weekly readings and class sessions, in ways that will positively draw us to a better understanding of ourselves and others. We can post our questions, comments and stories. I encourage you to respond throughout the course to the many activities and readings. This activity will assist in developing personal awareness and insight into your reactions, thoughts, feelings that are experienced during class, from readings, and related activities, and to communicate on a personal level w/ your fellow students and course instructor.

Hope Abounds,
Mayra Lopez-Humphreys
Assistant Professor
Department of Social Work
Nyack College
mayra.humphreys@nyack.edu

Hello class, i just wanted to say that ever since i started coming to this class there has not been one day where i have not been spoken to by God right there on my chair. This past week as the professor shared the prayer with us, God spoke to my heart and told me that i cant do everything, but that He needed me to be His tool. He asked me to share with my ministry partners, and i havent yet done so, but i will. it is so impacting to see how God works, that even when you dont think He is going to speak to you He does. it blows me away every time. I am glad to be part of this class, and for God to have placed me here, I am learning alot and i am loving every second of it.

God bless
Katiri~

Hello MPC Group

I just wanted to give you some feedback from our first group session in class yesterday evening.Thank you all for your openness and willingness to share your honest views and opinions with our group. Everything that you shared had profound meaning. You brought some old and new things to the forefront for each of us to consider and reconsider. You help to make us more aware of the greater need to take a closer view of our environment and to those who are in it.Some of your comments were very compassionate and deeply heartfelt. And, although they were not addressed during our session, please note that your agony did not go unnoticed. The heaviness of your heart was shared amongnst many, if not all of us.It is indeed a known fact that racism affects all minorities. It is also true that African Americans are not the only minorities that suffers from this toxin. Asians, Latinos, American Indians and every other minority race feels the painful impact of the oppression of racism.The African Americans were fortunate to have great men and women such as, Dr. Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks to stand up (and sit down) to say "No More." They paid a price that gave us a voice and civil rights for equal opportunities. The question is, just how much have things really changed from since that time?Here are my thoughts: While through their great efforts certain laws were established to protect the rights of all people, there are men and women of the law and others who are in positions of authority that break these same laws everyday, however, in subtle ways. And because they are priviledged people who are protected by their superiors; those that should address these matters, turn their heads in the other direction, and therefore they are allowed to get away with it. Can these conditions ever change?My answer: Yes, there can be change. I believe that one of the processes for change begins in the Nyack College, Christian-based, "Understanding Diverse Populations" Spring 2008, New York City classroom. God has called His committed and faithful servant, Professor Mayra Lopez-Humphreys to guide, to instruct and to train a chosen group of students "for such a time as this". We will learn the value of ourselves, as well as those who are the same, and those who are different from us. Through our better understanding of diverse populations, we will be prepared to go into all the world to empower and bring new hope to all who are oppressed that will cross our paths. These occassions will provide opportunities for the Lord to be seen and heard in the earth. As His servants, demonstrate His love to all mankind and help to set the captive free.Professor Humphreys thank you for your careful selection of our group. They are a wonderful diverse group. They are all quite brilliant and rather insightful, which brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our group. I look forward to sharing and working with them, as well as learning from each of them throughout this semester.May you all be blessed immensely in Christ Jesus,Percie
Posted by Percie at 9:13 AM 0 comments

Oppression & Norms

Oppression occurs because someone in power usually defines what is acceptable & what is not. These people define the norms in the society. Our norms can be a challenge because of our expectations of others. We tend to be judgmental & start labeling other people who lives the opposite of what we believe & know.

Now the questions pop out:

-- Is it possible to embrace our norms, but, at the same time, respect & accept someone else's norms?

-- If it is possible, how does one approach this?

I believe that in order for one to really accept someone else's norms, one must step out of his or her comfort zone & be willing to ask questions. Professor Humpreys mentioned in class that "Conversion comes through conversation!" I think that a person should learn to explore someone else's world, with an open mind.

-- Mia Agbuya