sefort's blog

Storm E. Fort
GSW 1110
Jay Jones
17 December 2015
Self-Reflection
After looking back on the semester, I believe and wish I could have done better than I did. I consider myself a good writer but the work I put together did not explain that. According to Jay’s constructive criticisms I have still have a lot of things to work on. I consecutively run into the same problem on every essay. I have found new and effective ways to improve my writing. Next time I plan to go above and beyond my own expectations. So many essays and due dates got the best of me; however I found ways to help me overcome these problems in the future.
Based on the comments on my essay my biggest issues are properly proofreading and expanding my thoughts a lot more. My academic writing can be a lot better if I continuously proofread my work before submitting it. In the future I plan to ask two or more people to review my essays but also have a Learning Commons tutor review it as well. Receiving feedback from others will help me identify my mistakes. When professors or instructors view my work I do not want simple errors to be the only thing they notice. Another problem I want to solve is working on elaborating on the information I present. I got comfortable with writing research essays and that does not involve expanding on thoughts, only information. For essays in the future I am going to write my essays, but once I finish I will go through each paragraph and add detailed sentences to support my information. This will help the audience understand what is being presented and my point of view. I noticed that the readers of my work may not understand where I stand in the writing and I want to work on that as well.

Storm E. Fort
GSW 1110
Jay Jones
1 December 2015
Immigrant Ohio: Past, Present, Future
It was a special feeling when you walked in the door. It was not an internal feeling, but n external feeling. The entire room was strangely quiet but calm. There were people talking but from my perspective I could not make out anything the other people were saying. But the feeling was back. As I looked around the room there were several people amongst different racial backgrounds. There were a variety of different race in attendance, such as: African American, Asian, Indian, Italian, Dominican, etc. The feeling of so much diversity in one room made me comfortable. I did not feel like the odd one in the bunch because we were all individually different and that is what brought us together. The Immigrant Ohio panel overall was very warming and impactful.
Immigrant Ohio would have been the perfect experience for students that are interested in history, ethnics, and primary sources; however the event was not well promoted on campus. Although this event took place during international week I do not think people were informed on the amount of events that were being taken place. Students like me were informed of this specific event through their professor. Dr. Nicole Jackson, a history professor, had been lecturing about immigrants in the U.S. and teaching them the power of primary sources. This event was a good way to connect the world with the classroom. Students were able to listen first hand and ask questions if anything that took place was interesting to them. In my opinion, the most significant part was after the panel went through their stories spectators also got to speak face to face with the guest speakers if they were not comfortable talking out loud.
Bowling Green State University hosts a weeklong of events for the International Education Week. One event that takes place is the, “Immigrant Ohio: Past, Present, Future” where a series of panels take place all day. I got the honor to sit, observe, and take notes on three Bowling Green, Ohio residences that migrated here from their homelands in other countries. The immigrants were asked to share their stories about their countries, why they moved to America, what life was like, and any struggles they did not mind sharing. These stories were all unique, but yet so similar because they all had one thing common. All members of the panel migrated to upper mid-west of the United States to live a happier life for their family and themselves. Another significant piece is they were all females from different ethnic backgrounds. They all mentioned the difficulties of being woman in other countries. The women also mentioned their adjustment to American and America’s adjustment to them. The places these women lived in were predominantly White-American communities that were unfamiliar with people outside of their racial background. When they stepped outside of their homes people would give them strange looks or not acknowledge them at all. They all did not expect to be socially accepted immediately so that was not their biggest issue at the time. Their biggest issue was blending the American culture with their individual cultures. When they visited the grocery store there was not the proper food and materials for them to purchase. Sometime they felt excluded from the world because it was hard for them to comprehend their surroundings. Life eventually got better for the families and they’ve never reconsidered moving back to their homelands. Each individual immigrant gave positive feedback to their community and their living situations in America.
Everything about the event went really swift and smoothly. Not only did the event work out well because of the immigrants, but because of the choice in venue and time. The event took place in Bowling Green State University’s Bowen-Thompson Student Union on the second floor in its multipurpose room. The room was seemed oversized for the amount of people that were in attendance, but I understood at the end. Before I got into the room there was a panel already taking place. From my perspective, I could see through the large windows outside of the room. The room rows of chairs in the back for spectators, round tables and chairs besides them, and a long rectangular table in the front for the members in the panel. The room almost looked like it was set up for a wedding reception. As I sat outside of the room and everyone inside was ready to exit, the venue did not appear as small as it once did. When each body got up to converse with another, the empty space in the room began to fill. Whoever was assigned to organizing the Immigrant Ohio event thought long term. The only problem that the event ran into was the volume and quality sound on the microphones. Half of the guest speakers spoke with very deep soft accents, but the microphones made it hard to depict what each person was saying. A lot of students, professors, and journalist were there with pen and paper ready but Fellow peers and strangers whispered to one another to repeat the information that was said. To avoid this problem, the organizers of the event should have checked the microphones after each panel session that took place that day. Although Immigrant Ohio ran into some minor issues they were able to still put on a successful event for International Week.
One thing that this event lacked was the promotion of leadership; however the panel members did not. As the panel members explained their lives they enabled us to act. One panel member shared a brief story about the catering service she had established and how it was a success. She explained that it was success because she tested out of her comfort zone and interacted with new community members that they were unfamiliar with. At the end of her story she mentioned to the audience to be active members of our communities and explained to us why. The individual immigrant told the group about branching out within the community made a difference in her American experience because being other citizens are familiar with you family, you’re familiar with the citizens, and the community is familiar with you as well. Another panel member mentioned times when she was disrespected because of her religion and someone fired rocks at her place of worship. A person in her community offered her and the people of her congregation if there was anything they could do for them to help lift the issues they were having.
There were several pieces of information to take away from this cultural presentation. Although the audience purpose was to respectively listen to the members of the panel, I believe there were some impactful materials to leave with. When the ladies were explaining their stories, they all mentioned how Americans reacted to them being in their communities. They said that the strange looks did not bother them, yet the lack of feeling wanted took control of their emotions the most. In the future, the spectators should remember the information that was given and take them into consideration. Students, faculty members, and people of the Bowling Green, Ohio community should want to make people feel included. Although this message was not their intentions to give, it was good lesson to remember in the future.

Storm E. Fort
GSW 1110
Jay Jones
19 November 2015
Save the World, Save the Transgender
Imagine someone judging a companion of yours based on their appearance every second of everyday and the only comfortable place you have is the comfort of your own home. Depending on who you are, you may be extremely uncomfortable or you may not care but you will always remember how you’ve been treated. Imagine losing a family member because they’re not socially accepted by everyone in the world. These are the type of problem tran* individuals face every day. Trans* communities have expanded over the years, but as their community expands they have not been socially accepted. Trans* individuals have a large number of stereotypes and issue because of who they are. According to Planet Transgender, Trans* women are murdered every twenty-nine hours, yet they only make up three tenths of America’s population. Trans* women lack support from the community and the law to raise the awareness of disrespect they encounter. To accommodate the Trans* community we must promote respect and justice for all people.
The types of situations that Transgenders encounter everyday are almost terrifying.
Robin Tran was asked by xoJane , “What’s the hardest part about being transgender?”and her story was very intriguing Robin Tran stated “the hardest part about being openly trans is the everyday little struggles that accumulate, and which lead to fatigue, exhaustion, and depression”. She explained that her day started as soon as she checks her social media in the morning and she is informed of the “another trans woman of color getting murdered”. I could not imagine waking up every day knowing I have to fear for my life as soon as I walk of the door. Comments such as: “Men are men and women are women. Why do we have to make it complicated? It’s based in science.” or ““Transgender women are just mentally ill dudes.” These words may not hurt them physically but it does take a stab at their humanity. Trans women cannot live comfortably even at the times you may think they can. Trans women are targeted in their neighborhoods, place of work, and even schools. Trans women are most likely to be isolated in areas around people they’re most familiar with. The everyday struggles as a trans woman can get rough depending on the circumstance.
An African American woman named Natasha McKenna, suffered from a mental illness was “shocked four times with a Taser gun by a sheriff’s deputy”. McKenna was in a coma for a number of days before she took her last breath. Her case received small attention and a “Student March for Natasha McKenna” was supposed to go into action, but it was put on hold because of the low number of participants. People who were interested in raising awareness sent a lot of invites to users on Facebook, but there were little responses back. To raise more awareness about police brutality toward trans* women is to take initiative no matter the circumstance. If the supporters of Natasha McKenna supports her, they should not be discouraged by the size of their voice but they should be empowered be they’re establishing a change in their community and the world.
A Trans woman of color experienced the lack of belonging around her own people during a rally for Trayvon Martin. Elle Hearns was supporting the cause just like everyone around her when she noticed unwanted faces, disrespectful slurs, transphobic comments aimed at her. She told an article, The Root, that it made her feel very unsafe because most the disrespect she received were by African American men and did not know the actions they were going to take with her around. People forgot why they attended the rally which was for black people mattering and unifying the community. If Elle Hearns cannot depend on her people to make her feel like she matters in the world then who will stand with her in her fight for respect, equity, and equality.
One of the founders of Black Lives Matter planned to raise awareness about transphobia to the African American community and the rest of the world. Co-founder, Patrisse Cullors said, “I think a better job that the Black Lives Matter movement could do is actually uplifting the narratives of black trans women.” Cullors planned to call a meeting and gather a group of leaders such as women of the trans community and anyone in support their issues. To avoid these issues, Cullors said that “that leaders organizing protests across the country must be educated on how to take action against people who are making protest spaces unsafe for transgender women”. She told The Root about a situation when a transphobic person acted inappropriately during an Occupy LAPD protest. The transphobic man was addressed directly and pulled away from the group to avoid humility and conflict. The issue was resolved quickly after the man left. People who attend Black Lives Matter rallies create a contradiction to the cause because they’re displaying hatred. Clearly, her idea was a great and effective way to kill the issue that took place. Being able to identify a problem and fishing it out is the kind of power and leadership skills we need to overturn the problems against trans* women face in public areas.
Hate crimes have been aimed at transgender, but the tran* community lack support from prestigious authority to gain justice. In the past few years, America has moved forward by staying aware of hate crimes happening in the world. Congress passed the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crime Prevention Act. This act was passed in 2009 and signed by President Barack Obama. The Hate Crimes Prevention Act was established “as a rider to the National Defense Authorization Act of 2010”. In tribute to Matthew Shepard, who was tortured and murdered for his sexual orientation. Along with James Byrd, Jr. who was tied to a truck and dragged by two white supremacists because of his race. The purpose of the Hate Crimes Prevention Act was to “impose tougher penalties on criminals who target their victims of the victim’s race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or disability”. To eliminate the murder rate of tran* women, we need to keep our communities informed about federal offenses. If we got the law enforce me involved with raising awareness of the Hate Crime Prevention act, people will understand how serious these kinds of crimes are. If the law takes matters into their hands then so will our communities. When authority gets involved it shows how imperative it is, not only to the trans* community but to the rest of the world.
We all want to be accepted for who we are, but we must come together to fulfill this goal. People miss the Platinum rule of “treating others how they want to be treated” because the Golden rule has always taught us to “treat others how we wanted to be treated” and some people may not want the same treatment as ourselves. Creating an environment where trans* women are not alienated or targeted against will help us move forward in making safer environments for the tran* community. Taking a stand against the hate crimes against these women will lower their murder rate and the world’s murder rate tremendously.

Work Cited Page
Busey, Kelli. “A Transgender Person Is Being Murdered Every 29 Hours. Can You Stop Killing
Us for Just One Week?”. Planet Transgender. 23 Feb. 2015. Web. 17 Nov. 2015.
Garza, Alicia. “A Herstory of the #BlackLivesMatter Movement by Alicia Garza”
The Feminist Wire. 07 Oct. 2014. Web. 16 Nov. 2015
Milloy, Courtland. “Black Women’s Lives Matter, Too, Say the Women behind the Iconic
Hashtag.” The Washington Post. 19 May 2015. Web. 16 Nov. 2015.
Starr, Terrell Jermaine. “Violence Against Black Transgender Women Goes Largely Ignored.”
The Root. 23 Jan. 2015. Web. 14 Nov. 2015.
Tran, Robin. “My Everyday Struggles and Lived Experiences as a Trans Woman Are Not
Simply a Thought Exercise.” XoJane. Web. 15 Nov. 2015.

Storm E. Fort
GSW 1110
Jay Jones
3 November 2015
Is the Internet Efficient or Inefficient?
When the word Google comes to mind, there are various things to speak on. Google can be named a number of things depending on whose being asked. If someone asked a student what Google is to him or her, they would say that Google is the answer to everything. Others would say that Google is a reliable search engine. I agree with both answers, but if a brief survey was given to a group and they questions asked them if Google is “making them stupid” would they agree or disagree? As funny as the question may sound, it actually is something to think about and reflect on. In the article “Is Google Making Us Stupid?” by Nicholas Carr, he introduced great points on why the internet in the twenty-first century makes us very dependent or in his words, stupid. Carr has noticed different behaviors he’s picked up while reading large articles or books and he believes that it is the internet to blame. The author of “Is Google making us Stupid?” argues that today’s society is becoming ignorant and losing effective comprehension skills.
According to the author, he has developed a new way of reading. When Carr reads a lengthy book or article he indicates that his brain is not on the same track as it once was. The author believes that before the internet and/or text messaging came about it was easier to handle large scale readings. Now that the internet has expanded it is the first source of that people look to for answers. his makes it easier for us to rely on the web instead of information on print. Not only does Google hand the answers to us, it is a lot easier to find what we are searching for. Carr says that giving us the answer is one of the reasons that we skim read. Skim reading makes us only pay attention to what we want to know and it does not help us fully understand. When we skim it causes us to skip over other significant pieces to our answers. For example, we may miss the “how to” of our answers or the cause and effect of what we want to know. This problem forces us to lack comprehension. Without comprehension, how are we learning from the information that we take in? Carr mentioned how he believes that the internet has made an influence on printing companies. In the article, Nicholas Carr researched that TheNew York Times has adjusted to the internet’s pace:
When, in March of this year TheNew York Times decided to devote the second and third pages of every edition to article abstracts , its design director, Tom Bodkin, explained that the “shortcuts” would give harried readers a quick “taste” of the day’s news, sparing them the “less efficient” method of actually turning the pages and reading the articles. Old media have little choice but to play by the new-media rules. (Carr)
The main point of this quote ensures that Carr is explaining how we are beginning to accept being lazy and taking the easier route now. Today, consumers are so influenced by technology that the newspaper is forced to follow the internet’s trend. If readers have adjusted to quick pace reading from the internet, when they transition to print and see the same style as well it’ll become oblivious to them.
One section in “Is Google Making Us Stupid” describes how the internet has evolved to easily distract us. One example Carr used is how we receive a new e-mail that it alerts us with a sound. Carr believes that an alert is a form of a distraction. If we are focused on one situation and our minds are alerted to move to another we lose focus on what we were already doing. Another form of distraction that Carr provided was pop up ads that we see on the sides of our computer screens. If we are reading an article online or simply busy browsing the net and an ad pops up we are only getting a snippet of what we planned on absorbing. Carr believes this clutters our minds with miscellaneous material we
In the selection “Is Google Making Us Stupid?”, it is mentioned how the world has jumped from print to visual/listening aid over the years and has taken the attention away from print such as books, newspapers, magazines, or letters. In 1936, Alan Turing, a British mathematician said that a digital computer “could be programmed to perform the function of any other information-processing device”. Turing was in fact correct because we use the computer and internet more than ever. The internet can be accessed anywhere at almost any time today. The internet has become an extraordinary system that subsumes other devices because now it is “our map and our clock, our printing press, and our typewriter, our calculator and our telephone, and our radio and TV”. The point the author wants to make is society has become so consumed with the World Wide Web. If we’re consumed with the internet we depend on it, therefore we are unable to function without it.
Carr’s view about the internet shows that he believes that the media has brainwashed the world, but he adds one detail that contradicts his argument. In the article “Is Google Making Us Stupid?” it is mentioned how are minds are constantly evolving. Carr stated “The human brain is almost infinitely malleable”. If the mind is flexible then what effect does the internet have on our way of thinking? The brain’s flexibility can help the mind adjust to different situations in its future. The author also noted that “Nerve cells routinely break old connections and form new ones. “The brain,” according to Olds, “has the ability to reprogram itself on the fly, altering the way it functions.”” Professor of neuroscience James Olds proves that we have the ability to change the way think immediately. If the mind has the ability to alter itself “on the fly” then the lack of comprehension does not completely set in.
However, Dr. Nick Morgan could debate otherwise that the Internet makes us stupid. Morgan argues that the internet helps us process material quicker, but not in a lousy way. In Morgan’s article “Why the Internet Is Making Us Smarter—in One Way” he exclaims “It’s not that we’re becoming dumber, it’s rather that the object of our focus has changed. In one way, we’re actually getting smarter – much, much smarter.” This quote explains that our minds are not dumbing down, but we are only becoming easily distracted. Distractions do not affect our mental way of thinking they only affect our attention span. Another point that Morgan made about the internet making us smarter is we’re able to absorb so many pieces of information and remember them. Being exposed to so much information expands our minds further. This turns us back to what the professional neuroscientist, James Olds informed Billout about “the adult mind “is very plastic.” Nerve cells routinely break old connections and form new ones. “The brain,” according to Olds, “has the ability to reprogram itself on the fly, altering the way it functions.””. This quote connects back to Morgan’s article about internet efficiency because he indicated that “our ability to absorb visual information is accelerating rapidly.” If our minds are accelerating rapidly we’re getting smarter every second. Humans are creating a broader mindset from receiving so much info.
Both writers included great information and support details in both articles; however contradicted their argument. Nicholas Carr published his article “Is Google Making Us Stupid?” to explain the terrible effects that the internet has on the human mind and how it alters the brain in a negative way. However, the details that Carr introduced to his audience were not only details about how the internet “makes us stupid” or influences us but how the brain is easily altered. If the brain is continuously evolving all the time, how does the internet affect society so negatively? The internet’s biggest influence is we’re constantly up to date and it causes information over load. According to Nick Morgan’s article about the internet making us smarter agrees with the theory that as technology moves, we keep up with that pace.
Now, the real question is, is Google making us lazy or stupid? The internet does not make us stupid; however it influences us to move in a quicker pace than we did before. Several benefits are received when you think on a swift pace. When you think quickly there is a great chance of comprehending information easier. If the mind has the ability to comprehend easily, the knowledge that is received will not be a challenge to reciprocate.

Work Cited
Carr, Nicholas. “Is Google Making Us Stupid?” The Atlantic. Atlantic Media Company.
01 July 2008. Web. 14 Oct. 2015.
Morgan, Nick, Dr. “Why the Internet Is Making Us Smarter–in One Way.” Forbes.
Forbes Magazine. 28 Nov. 2012. Web. 23 Oct. 2015.

Storm E. Fort
Jay Jones
GSW 1100
29 September 2015
Leadership is a Process, Not a Position
Sidney A. Ribeau President’s Leadership Academy was founded in 1997 by Bowling Green State University’s former president Dr. Sidney A. Ribeau. Dr. Ribeau wanted to give students of BGSU a chance to uphold leadership roles and to give back to their communities. In 1998, the first cohort was established and committed to upholding the goals of the President’s Leadership Academy. Just like then, the PLA still stands strong with a total of eighteen cohorts. Shortly after Dr. Ribeau left BGSU the University’s Board of Trustees honored his initiative by renaming the program after him.
This organization follows four core values: service, learning, integrity, and credibility. Service defines the selfless devotion to making a positive impact across the globe. Scholars demonstrate service through vulnerability, engaging in community service on campus, Bowling Green, Ohio, and their hometowns. They value learning because of the intrapersonal and interpersonal development that results in the effective application of leadership skills, multicultural competence, creative thinking and problem solving, and overall academic success. Scholars participate in a four year curriculum that helps to enhance their knowledge on how to be an effective leader and applying it into your everyday life. PLA values integrity because leadership is authentic, genuine, true, and honest. Lastly, PLA values credibility which is the responsible and accountable behavior through the practice of professional leadership skills.
As an entire group they attend bi-weekly and monthly meetings to learn and engage in leadership seminars. Each meeting appeared to be intense and serious by the looks on people’s faces. During one of the bi-weekly meetings they learn and discuss material based on their level within the organization. The textbook that was assigned to guide them through college is “Exploring Leadership for College Students Who Want to Make a Difference”. They were discussing the differences between ethical and moral temptation. Everyone participated in an activity that related to the subject. They use hands on activities for their activities so that it is easier for each scholar to remember. During the activities seemed like everyone’s comfort zone because faces began to relax and the atmosphere was a little less tense. The room sounded like happiness although they were only discussing leadership. Everyone laughed and smiled while they were in their smaller group setting during the activities. However, one other meeting that I attended was not the same as the last. This meeting was a little more serious and professional. Scholars were dressed in their finest clothes. The guys were dressed suit and ties or the casual khakis and collared shirt. The ladies were dressed in their dresses, skirts, or suit a well. Before the meeting was initiated everyone in the room greeted one another. Some were excited to each other more than others, but the atmosphere was warming. After a certain time everyone began taking their seats waiting for the meeting to begin which didn’t take very long. I was curious whether or not if the same person spoke each time and apparently they did not. Each monthly forum is based on something different with a different speak. That seems like a unique idea because who wants to listen to the same thing each month? I enjoyed being in a comfortable and respectable environment with people within the PLA.
There are many activities that the President’s Leadership Academy host on campus. During my research, I received some insight from someone within the PLA about what they do and how they execute it. A special event that this group participates in is Bowling Green State University’s Preview day. Their roles in the Preview day do not happen consecutively every year, but it has happened more than once. Students in the PLA are asked to host a one-day seminar for middle and high school students. This activity is meant to display servant leadership and teach students your knowledge on leadership as a college student. A lot of the activities they participate in pertain to community outreach. Someone who enjoys getting involved with their community would be passionate about this.
After talking with a PLA Scholar I learned what it is to feel like being in PLA rather than viewing the organization from the outside. One freshman scholar explained how strong the support system is within the PLA. There are other scholars and staff members that are there to help get you through any problems you may be facing. As a freshman college it can be difficult for some people to adjust to the different environment. They even expressed their appreciation for these resources as well.

Storm E. Fort
Mr. Harland Jones
GSW 1110
1 September 2015
Where Can I Get More?
“Is it really only the first chapter and I’m in this deep? I might read ahead because this is so good.” I’ve never been so excited to read an assigned book from school. Usually the things we’re assigned to read for English classes are a little more critical or boring. I knew I loved me Ms. Taylor for a reason. I didn’t love my teacher just because of the book, but because she was genuine all of them time. She proved me right after reading this book.
Every year in Ms. Taylor’s 11th grade English class she uses the same curriculum for every 11th grader she gets. All the upperclassmen from Ms. Taylor’s previous years told her current students that they’d like the end of the year. I wondered what was special about the end of the year in an English class, specifically. Maybe it was Ms. Taylor’s English class and it was. There were two books, No Disrespect by Sister Souljah and The Other Wes Moore by Wes Moore. I thought it would be a gender based because one book was solely about a man and one was solely about a woman, but that wasn’t the case either. Each student could choose between either book. It was a catch to one book No Disrespect; we had to get a permission slip signed. Apparently it was too vulgar for juniors in high school so our parents had to sign off for it. Anything getting my mom’s permission to read a book seemed interesting so I chose that one to read.
Ms. Taylor assigned the first 40 or so pages on the first night because she was out of her mind. Those 40 pages were equivalent to the length of the first chapter. “Read the first chapter” sounds a lot better than “Read the first 40 or so pages” to me. 40 pages or 40 chapters I still had to read the section for our class discussions. I began reading the first chapter and she’s explaining her family and who they were. She gave vivid descriptions of their looks which was not the most intriguing thing, but that was prepping the audience for something unexpected.
The author explained how her life wasn’t easy living in the projects in New York as an African American. Sister Souljah and I had two things in common: spirituality and Afrocentricity. Sister Souljah’s story changed my mindset about my myself and the people around me. I wanted to learn more about the author’s life because it was so much different from mine. The big surprise about No Disrespect was Sister Souljah only shared significant points in her life. Each chapter was in a different time frame and led up to where she was at the moment. I thought that was pretty cool because it wasn’t a cliché autobiography about herself. The second chapter pulled me into the book itself and at that moment I was all in. Each word and emotion felt like they were my own and that’s how I treated them. I laughed, I cried, I thought long and hard about the questions being asked to each character in the book. I got anxious about what would happen on the next few pages that I’d peak at the next few pages. I fell in love with the thought of love for other people. I enjoyed hearing stories about tough love, romance, and heartaches.

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