Presidential Inaguration and Protests

As of January 20th 2017 we have a new president. Donald J Trump has become the 45th president of the United States and the response has been quite unique. Thousands of people stood in barely bare-able weather to wave in delight of the president from Capitol Hill to the White House. While several another several thousand protested against the policies President Trump has promised to implement.

For the people in favor of Trump, they feel that he is going to bring jobs back to communities that have struggled for several decades with the loss of industrial jobs. Many of these cities are in the midwest, and they used to produce items in America, which are now being outsourced to different countries. Trump promises to bring these jobs back and provide income in America, along with new health care policies.

Many trump supporters were not in favor of the Obama care that was implemented the last 4 years of our democracy. And for reasons that seemed apauling to many. Republicans are in disfavor of Obamacare for ideological reasons, such that those who can afford insurance, pay a higher premium to pay for the subsidies of the government programs, this is viewed as a government meddling of doctor-patient relationships. People against Obama care also feel that the economics do not stack up. The number of people with insurance has dropped, making the price of Obamacare higher and many young healthy Americans may not want insurance, making the system collapse.

While there are reasons to be in favor of the Trump Republican party, protestors are not buying into the parties rhetoric. Trump promises to handle crime with a “law and order” approach. The same that we saw with Nixon in the 1970s and led to the arrest of low socioeconomic and little educated minorities in America. This approach has raised the amount of people in prison, particularly black and latino people.

Not only are protestors against the injustices of policing in minority communities, but also against the “attack” on women’s rights. These are the reproductive rights and such as brith control and abortions, that were fought for desperately during the late 60s and early 70s. If these rights are taken from women it is believed that we take a negative step back into history, and the many advances of women in the workforce may subside.

The American people have many reasons to be for and many reason to be against
Trump. His for week of presidency has had a powerful response from people all of the world, we hope to see peace and progress in our Nation as we continue to grow and develop young professionals.

Indigenous People Day

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/seattle-replaces-columbus-day-indigenous-peoples-day/

The city council in Seattle has officially ridded of Columbus day and changed it to Indigenous Peoples Day. This has sparked some debate within the community, some saying “What about Italian Americans?” A fair question. The issue with Columbus Day is the idea that he discovered America. To many native Americans, since they were known to inhabit the land before Columbus arrived, he did not discover the land, yet visited and took ownership of the land. Native Americans feel as though Columbus is not a positive piece of American history yet a negative one, and to take time to celebrate the eventual unforeseen torment of him as an explorer is insensitive.

Italian Americans however have comments of feeling proud of Columbus. Italians state the fact that he is a successful explorer none the less and a proud piece of Italian history. And to many others the fact that he had the courage to travel is heroic alone. But what are your thoughts? Is it just to all Americans to change the Holiday name and do away with Columbus Day, or should we stick with our American traditions.

Militarizing Ferguson

Militarizing Ferguson

  http://all-that-is-interesting.com/ferguson-riots/3

  Some great articles are attached speaking on the Ferguson riots. The riots are a true reflection of the frustration of the people. The riots have occurred because of the death of a young black man who was shot six times by a police officer after surrendering. He was left in the street for 4 hours without being covered or taken by the coroner. The people of Ferguson became outraged because of the poor tactics of the police.

  The people of Ferguson have now revolted and are rioting, taking property and standing face to face against the police. The police have now treated the citizens as enemies, wearing military gear and carrying tear gas guns. The police are now trying to tame the people of Ferguson as they would a terrorist. The question is, what is the imagery of militarizing the police doing for the causes of the rioting? Militarizing the police makes it seem as if the adversary are the people who want an answer for the violent death in broad day light of a young man. I believe it keeps a broad line between the police and the citizens, as if the death and reasons for anger of the people do not matter as much as the protection of a police officer.

  Though the police officers are to protect and serve, they are easily distracted to the service portion when it comes to the protection of the fellow police officer as opposed to the people. However, rules are rules, and the police may just be following the procedures required when dealing with an “angry” crowd, but the reasons for the anger and the response do not seem to coincide in my opinion. What could be another approach to dealing with frustrated people from the fearful mistakes police officers and other ordinary citizens make daily?

  This topic is truly fascinating because it is going to be a relevant piece of American History in the future. I hope you stay tuned on the outcomes of the incidents in Ferguson, Mo.

 

 – Brandy L. Williams