Students reflect and describe the significance of working on this diversity project and educating others...
Asians and Whitewashing:
“...Researching, processing, organizing and then teaching the issue of whitewashing ultimately represented a great experience that led to a heightened awareness of media’s influence and racial prejudices as well as the importance of hearing from diverse perspectives.” -- G.K.
“...Researching, processing, organizing and then teaching the issue of whitewashing ultimately represented a great experience that led to a heightened awareness of media’s influence and racial prejudices as well as the importance of hearing from diverse perspectives.” -- G.K.
Black Lives Matter:
“…I would call this experiment meaningful because of the importance of the Black Lives Matter movement. This movement means a lot in the world today because African-Americans are standing up for themselves. After reading this information I provided in the Service Learning project, people are going to find out the importance of Black Lives Matter.” -- J.J.
“I am an African American woman, so hearing the different stories that involved women like me really touched my heart. Doing this project, I kind of put myself in the shoes of the victims and tried to feel how they would.” -- D.K.
“As a Black male, there are issues that are important to address from one’s perspective… This project allowed me to work with something that is significant to my identity. I like to be a part of something bigger than myself so when I did the assignment, I was excited. I wanted for people to understand that Black Lives Matter has less to do with violence and rioting but more with protesting injustice.” -- A.H.
“This project, however, was different. Despite, working full time and having other classes, I actually did a lot of brainstorming for this. I wanted to ensure that I could accurately advocate for the movement and help educate others on why it is such an important topic to me and many other African Americans.” -- K.S.
“This topic is an issue that should not be taken lightly. When discussing the topic an individual should be careful of word choice, tone, and presentation. This project allowed my partner and me to openly discuss the information freely, delegate our viewpoint, and choose which information that we felt best represented our ideas and beliefs well…Thus, my overall experience while working on this assignment has been insightful and important. It gave me more knowledge about my identity and what it means to be a black man in America.” -- T.V.
“…I would call this experiment meaningful because of the importance of the Black Lives Matter movement. This movement means a lot in the world today because African-Americans are standing up for themselves. After reading this information I provided in the Service Learning project, people are going to find out the importance of Black Lives Matter.” -- J.J.
“I am an African American woman, so hearing the different stories that involved women like me really touched my heart. Doing this project, I kind of put myself in the shoes of the victims and tried to feel how they would.” -- D.K.
“As a Black male, there are issues that are important to address from one’s perspective… This project allowed me to work with something that is significant to my identity. I like to be a part of something bigger than myself so when I did the assignment, I was excited. I wanted for people to understand that Black Lives Matter has less to do with violence and rioting but more with protesting injustice.” -- A.H.
“This project, however, was different. Despite, working full time and having other classes, I actually did a lot of brainstorming for this. I wanted to ensure that I could accurately advocate for the movement and help educate others on why it is such an important topic to me and many other African Americans.” -- K.S.
“This topic is an issue that should not be taken lightly. When discussing the topic an individual should be careful of word choice, tone, and presentation. This project allowed my partner and me to openly discuss the information freely, delegate our viewpoint, and choose which information that we felt best represented our ideas and beliefs well…Thus, my overall experience while working on this assignment has been insightful and important. It gave me more knowledge about my identity and what it means to be a black man in America.” -- T.V.
Stereotyping Latina Women:
“I definitely believe that our Service Learning project could help others learn more and understand more about the Latina representation in Hollywood. I know that just by researching for this that there is so much more to learn about the subject, and I think the job of presentations like this is really just to get people’s gears turning. If we did our project well then after people see this they should want to go home and look up more information about Latina stereotypes.” -- S.W.
“I would say it was meaningful because it I learned so much about the Latina culture and it made me realize how bad they are stereotyped. I was very clear with my points and discussed all of the things that Latina women struggle with in the media industry.” -- A.G.
“I definitely believe that our Service Learning project could help others learn more and understand more about the Latina representation in Hollywood. I know that just by researching for this that there is so much more to learn about the subject, and I think the job of presentations like this is really just to get people’s gears turning. If we did our project well then after people see this they should want to go home and look up more information about Latina stereotypes.” -- S.W.
“I would say it was meaningful because it I learned so much about the Latina culture and it made me realize how bad they are stereotyped. I was very clear with my points and discussed all of the things that Latina women struggle with in the media industry.” -- A.G.
#MeToo:
“After completing this project, I feel as though I have a better understanding of what the #MeToo movement is and how important this movement is. I enjoyed learning the history of what led up to the #MeToo movement. I also learned it’s important to understand that the #MeToo movement isn’t just another Hollywood scandal, this movement propels men and women around the world to come forward with the crimes committed against them.” – E.W.
“I believe the purpose of our project was to bring alight the issue of sexual assault and harassment to a high school and college level. Although, this target audience likely already knows of the issue of sexual assault and harassment, this project hopefully provides enough information to show why it is such a significant issue in society.” N.W.
“After completing this project, I feel as though I have a better understanding of what the #MeToo movement is and how important this movement is. I enjoyed learning the history of what led up to the #MeToo movement. I also learned it’s important to understand that the #MeToo movement isn’t just another Hollywood scandal, this movement propels men and women around the world to come forward with the crimes committed against them.” – E.W.
“I believe the purpose of our project was to bring alight the issue of sexual assault and harassment to a high school and college level. Although, this target audience likely already knows of the issue of sexual assault and harassment, this project hopefully provides enough information to show why it is such a significant issue in society.” N.W.
Media Representation of Native Americans:
"This project was very meaningful for me. Being part Cherokee myself, studying this issue that is a part of my heritage allowed me to connect with it more. It has opened my eyes to the fact that, not only do I know basically nothing about my heritage but also the problems that people like me need to be addressing. I love my Native American heritage and studying it allows me to feel connected with it. " -- D. S.
"This project was very meaningful for me. Being part Cherokee myself, studying this issue that is a part of my heritage allowed me to connect with it more. It has opened my eyes to the fact that, not only do I know basically nothing about my heritage but also the problems that people like me need to be addressing. I love my Native American heritage and studying it allows me to feel connected with it. " -- D. S.
Tik Tok’s Impact on Body Image:
“In regards to the actual content of this assignment, I think that we all realized how “sneaky” body shaming and negative body image can be. Because we see this topic in action everyday, we don’t seem to be as aware of its actual effects on us, our peers, our loved ones, or just the general population. I think that most everyone is affected by body image in one way or another and I think that most people are not as public about their opinions and struggles with the subject at hand.” – T.H.
“This project was very meaningful in that it allows us to teach students lessons with a real, lifelong lesson. Learning to love and appreciate yourself is a vital lesson for people to learn because society will always try to change you. It has a way of making us uncomfortable in our own skin and trying to manipulate us. But lessons like these can play a key role in helping to open student’s eyes and expand their horizons.” J.P.
“In regards to the actual content of this assignment, I think that we all realized how “sneaky” body shaming and negative body image can be. Because we see this topic in action everyday, we don’t seem to be as aware of its actual effects on us, our peers, our loved ones, or just the general population. I think that most everyone is affected by body image in one way or another and I think that most people are not as public about their opinions and struggles with the subject at hand.” – T.H.
“This project was very meaningful in that it allows us to teach students lessons with a real, lifelong lesson. Learning to love and appreciate yourself is a vital lesson for people to learn because society will always try to change you. It has a way of making us uncomfortable in our own skin and trying to manipulate us. But lessons like these can play a key role in helping to open student’s eyes and expand their horizons.” J.P.
Transgender Women and Homeless Shelters, Plus My Sistah's House
"...I believe this presentation provides good educational resources in terms of a few things within the LGBTQ+ community and especially the trans community...I am very grateful that I was able to use this topic for my project. Being apart of this community comes with many battles. Unfortunately we have to fight for basic rights like this daily. But the more we are allowed to have a voice and educate in todays society, the more steps we are taking forward in the right direction." -- B. T.
"...I believe this presentation provides good educational resources in terms of a few things within the LGBTQ+ community and especially the trans community...I am very grateful that I was able to use this topic for my project. Being apart of this community comes with many battles. Unfortunately we have to fight for basic rights like this daily. But the more we are allowed to have a voice and educate in todays society, the more steps we are taking forward in the right direction." -- B. T.