Sunday, February 17, 2008

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~

Sunday, February 10, 2008

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

Wednesday, February 06, 2008

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

Tuesday, February 05, 2008

OPPRESSION

Hi.
My name is Yesenia. Unfortunately, I was late to the class on oppression, but from what i gathered after I arrived was that this class keeps on getting better and better. I love classes that challenge me and my fellow students to think outside of the box and that are not only lectures and note taking...lectures and note taking.
Oppression is something that I think all humans at least one time in their lives experiences, either by being the oppressor or being the oppressed. I cannot wait for this next class. I will definitely make sure that I am not going to get to Manhattan by way of the Lincoln Tunnel. That is my oppressive experience of the week.