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Lady Gaga has recently partnered with Polaroid Camera, as their Creative Director, to create new technology for Polaroid! During the launch of their Grey Line they announced their latest creations. They have created sunglasses that you can wear to keep you from the sun, and snap photos at the same time! In addition, they've created a printer that has Bluetooth capabilities whereas you can send a picture you take on your phone to the printer for it to print out for you in about 45 seconds. It prints with no ink so, it's great for the environment - along with another Polaroid camera they've created that operates on Bluetooth and prints instantly. Lady Gaga & Polaroid are working towards creating a camera that shares through Twitter, Facebook, and other platforms for Social Media in the future.
Packages were found smoking in Baltimore and Annapolis this past Thursday - Mildly injuring those opening the mail. Yesterday, another package was found in DC supposed to go to the Secretary of Homeland Security -- Reports have said that the packages have contained letters similar to the alerts found on major highways saying "Report Suspicious Activity" then saying "Total Bulls**t - You have created a self-fulfilling prophecy", with "-x-" underneath of it. The packages are now to be investigated by the FBI. There have yet to be any suspects but we are keeping a close ear out for more news surrounding this case.
"All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside." - US Constitution, 14th Amendment
In recent news, state legislators (this past Wednesday) proposed to add a state compacted amendment in response to the Constitution's 14 Amendment stating that persons born in the United States are automatically granted US Citizenship. This past Thursday, the issue reached the House of Representatives when Steve King (Republican of Iowa) introduced "The Birthright Citizenship Act of 2011" to the floor - aimed towards repealing birthright citizenship. This is one of the Nation's major discussions and controversies - and many are debating as to whether or not the Constitution should be amended to not allow children of illegal immigrants to have US Citizenship.
The idea of amending this policy through the State is mostly supported by the Republican Party. Their argument is that this amendment should be followed only when the parents of those born here, in the US, are not here legally. Others, however, argue that there should be a strict adherence to the wording in the Constitution - including the 14th Amendment - and that the children should not have to pay for the faults of their parents.
This issue of Immigration has been an reoccurring issue for years, but is more prevalent right now as our country is in economical turmoil. People are becoming more aware of spending and, more especially, government spending of our tax money. When illegal immigrants are able to make use of government funded programs (aka programs funded by our tax dollars), while not paying any taxes due to their lack of citizenship; US citizens become more in-arms about how to regulate immigration.
Out of desperation, it seems people are fighting to do whatever they can to have more money in their pockets. It's very difficult to look at morality and justice, when you're in a fight to survive on a day-to-day basis. Hopefully, there will be some type of balance when it comes to finding resolve to this issue of illegal immigration.
Long before I became a scholar, I was a black teenage boy. At that time, I would never have enjoyed hearing my English teacher repeat the N-word 219 times out loud in front of a class full of white students. I also would have wondered why African-Americans are the only ethnic group forced to read "classic" literature that uses such derogatory language toward us in a disturbingly repetitive way. - Boyce Watkins
I recently read an article written by Boyce Watkins on the CNN Website, addressing the censorship of Mark Twain's "The Adventures Huckleberry Finn". Apparently, Gribben and NewSouth Books will be substituting the N-word for the word "slave" in the new version of Huckleberry Finn.
Being an owner of a copy of "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" and also having been one that has experienced the uncomfortable feeling of being the only African-American youth in a predominately white student classrooms, where teachers and professors have facilitated class discussions on race in such a way that did not speak to me as a black child - I understand the significance of this discussion and argument as to whether or not it is effective or right to edit the N-word in this book. When I say "did not speak to me", in essence, I mean that instead of valuing the literature and gaining from the enlightenment of history or story, at times I had turned off my learning facilities and focused instead on how to get through a class without being so uncomfortable that I was forced to tears, notice stares, or leave the room.
I think that it's very different experience- being an African-American child in a classroom with others like you, and a teacher in front of the class that's also like you - A student may be able to take this writing as literature alone and gain perspective while benefiting from the support around them. Literature is a form of art, and essentially should be taken as art and not simply as a means to reflect on a time in history as a primary source of education.
Perhaps, the issue lies where educators realize their teaching environment and are able to discern what is appropriate, in whatever environment they are teaching in. How do teachers make students feel open to learning when content such as this is read in the classroom, whether the N-word is used or another is substituted?
Today marks the 1st day, of the 1st month, of 2011. InsiderNights.com introduces "Art.Life.Biz" a new Saturday segment on the arts, lifestyle, and business. In addition to these topics, we discuss politics and innovative ideas going around in the world.
We hope that you enjoy this new addition to our Blog - as well as the new journey that you're beginning in this new year!
