Social Awareness Writing Project

Cassi Land

812

Social Awareness Writing Project

Observation of Surroundings

1.)    Bullying

2.)    Drinking/drugs

3.)    Depression

Bullying is an issue that has confused me for years.  I have always thought that making someone feel bad about themselves is not something that you would want done to yourself so why make others feel smaller about who they are.  Why take the risk of affecting them in a way that makes them want to change who they are.  Bullying is not something that happens as much today as it has in the past or in places other than New York.  However there are other forms of bullying that happen but go un- noticed.  One of the simplest forms is gossip and exclusion.            
Most bullies do not understand the consequences of making someone question who they are as a person.  The repercussions can range from small acts of sadness to suicides if the problem continues.  Gossip is just one form of bullying that many people do not recognize as a form of bullying.  Although it is not the subjects face, you are still pointing out their flaws.  Another example of un- noticed bullying is exclusion.  Going out of the way to make a friend or even someone you dislike feel un- apart of the group is a form of bullying.  When you exclude someone from activities they begin to feel unwanted and alone.  However many people who are excluding others do not realize what they are doing to hurt their friends self-confidence.  My motto is do not do to others what you would not want done to yourself. 

Original Poem About Social Awareness

            They do not understand that their words hurt

            That their expectations are heavy on your shoulders

            That it is not fair to assume we are all perfection

            We cannot all be perfect

            The words sting

            Burn

            Affect

            It is not fair

            To have to change who you are

            To want to look a different way

            Eventually your words become believed

            And we are you are no longer yourself

            You are hiding in a shell of someone who used to be confident

            But is not anymore

            Because of society

          

       One issue that can be hidden and is affecting many teenagers is depression.  Depression can be brought out by many things.  Depression can be caused by even the smallest problems and issues.  One that I have seen many people get torn down by is what society wants the people that live in it to look like and behave.  Then our peers begin to compare themselves to what society wants.  They realized that they are not what their peers expect them to be and begin to try to change themselves.  They soon realize that as much as they try to live up to expectations they are not happy being who everyone else wants them to be.  This is why I feel that the biggest form of depression is not feeling satisfied with yourself.  Society has made it near impossible for kids to be happy with themselves. 

An Interview With Someone who has Changed the World

1.)    When you moved to America what were your hopes and expectations?

To go to school and get a higher education so I could travel the world. 

2.)    Was it hard for you to adjust to American culture?

Yes it was hard to learn the language and I deeply missed my friends and family and the simple way of like back in the Dominican Republic. 

3.)    What advice can you give to anyone who is coming from another country?  How can they fit in?

Try to learn the language as soon as you can, procrastinating will make it worse to succeed.   

4.)    Have you ever been discriminated against because you’re from a different country?

Yes I have, people have treated me lesser because they don’t feel I can handle all the challenges they can.  But lately t has not been happening as much, I suppose it feels I have more opportunity. 

5.)    What is a legacy you hope to leave for others?

I personally do not have a legacy that I would like to leave other than I hope everyone understands that to reach your goals you must work your hardest. 

6.)    Do you feel your life has been better off since you made such a drastic move?

Yes my life has completely changed I have accomplished everything I wanted.  There convince.   

7.)    Do you feel that moving to America has given you many opportunities or disappointment?

Yes I had the chance to go to college on scholarship; I had the opportunity to find many things that I was passionate about (jobs) and make a better life for myself and my future children. 

8.)    How do you feel that you have changed the world?   

When I was a child I was not given my fair share of food water and supplies, and whoever I meet, no matter what state they are in I give them my kindness.  Because people who grew up with a lot do not understand that kindness can brighten the day of someone who is in need.  I cannot always offer money to those in need, but I can offer support and I am willing to give as much of that as possible. 

            Ssisi Land is a woman that has faced many social challenges, but still gives as much back to the community as possible.  It is very rare to find someone who loves to make peoples days better and Ssisi Land hopes to make them feel as self-confident as possible.  She lives by the saying treat everyone with the respect you would want for yourself.