Final Draft

Out of the box

The inclusion and acceptance of unusual events to traditional scenarios is the real mental and generational evolution.  Currently, supporting a small minority means to include them in common scenarios without any distinction, otherwise it is only a vile segregation. The contest miss universe has been a worldwide contest in which women have the chance to show their beauty and also to contribute in different aspects to society. However, no LGBTI person had ever participated, last year was the first time. Nevertheless, it is a nonsense that a community like the LGBTI looks like being supported, while spaces are being categorized to separate them from the majorities. Tolerance, acceptance, and inclusion are the required steps for a mental and generational evolution that give answer to how appropriate is that an LGTBI person be part of the already set archaic mental schemes.

Firstly, tolerance. It is the first step towards a world without discrimination. It allows us to accept and listen to those who differ from our ways of thinking. According to Albert Einstein  “Laws alone cannot secure freedom of expression; in order that every man present his views without penalty there must be spirit of tolerance in the entire population." That previous quote summarizes the importance of being tolerant. It is impossible to think that laws are going to be worth it when the mental structures are so rusty that is no use on trying to change them. The religious entities are always preaching about the tolerance in home, in our daily lives and many other contexts. For instance, in the Holy Bible, specifically in Colossians 3:13 says something really nice:

“Be tolerant with one another and forgive one another whenever any of you has a complaint against someone else. You must forgive one another just as the Lord has forgiven you. And to all these qualities add love, which binds all things together in perfect unity.”

 Even the holy Bible posits it, and paradoxically, not even the religious people apply it for their lives. It is difficult to change the status quo. It is required time and pedagogical processes in between, and a great tolerance attitude to tolerate the lack of this one.  Tolerating is a tough process that is influenced by the culture and diverse extern factors. It is remarkable to accept that in nature there are also different forms of expression and despite of being a hard task, it is possible if we just give it a try. All our paradigms are possible to be modified even when they look fossilized. Our culture, and traditional beliefs make our mind twisted, nonetheless we are the only one who can turn that around.  

The Angela Ponce’ participation in the past Miss Universe 2018 as Miss Spain sparked a lot of controversy due to the fact that she is part of the LGBTI community. That was a perfect scenario for her to give a message of tolerance and respect to the whole world. During the contest she was honored for her braveness on what she said precious words that made her participation unforgettable. Angela talked about tolerance and she claimed next: “To eradicate intolerance it would be very important to instill these values ​​from a young age. My hope is that tomorrow we can live in a world of equality for all. Simply that we understand that we are human beings and that we have to make life much easier for each other” she did not classify even for the first round of participants, nonetheless being there was what she had looked forward to. Her deep message did not damage nobody, just pointed out a topic day by day more visible. Tolerance does not hurt, it is just a way that help us coexist with one another.

Secondly, acceptance. This step is a whole and consequently exceptions are not permitted. In science it is said that every single law has an exception, but in terms of accepting people, it is no possible to skip some characteristics, you accept a whole package without exception. It is like a woman who gets pregnant but doesn’t want to get fat. There are some collateral effects or damages in every situation. Even though some people resist and claim that they are not bound to accept what they do not want to, and provided it was so, it would be under their own exigencies. Emancipation is clear to have taken their minds, and they are right. However, it is a nonsense yet. As a way of example, let’s analyze the situation of the LGBTI community. They have really gone through tough situations. Now they are partially “accepted” by the society. Nonetheless, they cannot do what straight ones do. They participate in similar events such as miss universe, but it is terrible thinking about the possibility of including them in those. They already have their own contests, and it is good so far. Is it a real acceptance? Is to split up a synonym for to accept? Or is it like the saying: “Not shaken but stirred”?  Acceptance is “but-free”. There are no exceptions if it is a true acceptance, otherwise that is just a protocol and a fake attempt to evolve.

As stated by NBC news (2018), a new research study from the Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law found that “Average levels of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender acceptance have increased globally since 1980, but this acceptance has become more polarized.” All over the years people have changed their attitude towards atypical conditions, although some people refuse to accept them it is noticeable that change is possible and future generations will be even more open minded and less excluding. Moreover, the biggest advances in our society have taken a lot of time because that transition is not easy and an adaptation time is required. Hence acceptance is a vital great step in all the spaces in our live. It is the result of hundreds little steps that are worth it, and absolutely indispensable to achieve remarkable goals.

Acceptance is a beautiful word which makes sense when it is really supported. However, nice words are also meaningless when your actions are opposed to them. That is the reason why some activists use all what they need in order to be heard. Social networks and all that is derived are useful tools. People have to know about diversity, and take it as it is, something natural. It has become something more visible as the times goes by, and people need to know that it does not cause any allergy, nor even a disease. Being out of the box is not a problem, it is just a new way to experience the world, and creatively to juggle with many aspects from our daily live and provide variety to such widespread monotony.

Thirdly, inclusion.  The third step is the compilation of the previous ones. There is no point on preaching without a real desire of bringing that out.  As a way of analogy, let’s give a glance to the “Special Education” and the common one. Special people who generally are looking for spaces in which they are included and understood, are actually facing a hard time. There have been created new institutions specialized in those cases, and that sounds very appropriate. Nevertheless, they are being isolated. It seems to be easier to adapt new spaces instead of teaching how to teach these kind of population. It is absolutely arduous, but I honestly disagree to have them isolated. They are not asking for a place for them to be treated. They want to be like anyone else, and they are able to do it because many cases have been seen. Nonetheless, that is the way they are accepted. It is what actually happens with the LGBTI community. They are accepted, but it is better not to have them that closer. What are people afraid of? Does it destroy their paradigms? What matters is that tolerance and inclusion go hand to hand. They cannot exist in isolation.

Talking of inclusion not only addresses people with different sexual preferences, but also people with different abilities, some physical, mental or other limitations. There is nothing that makes someone happier than feeling that belong somewhere. Inclusion is so powerful that cause many awesome reactions on everyone increasing significantly their happiness. Something that people have not understood is that we are all equal, and not because of being odd we are meant to be secluded. It is not about becoming different, it is about treating each other normally, respecting differences and not to underestimate people’ skills. Being human beings is not only a gift, we have to honor this appellative and to act as rational as we are supposed to.

In an interview made in Miss Universe to Miss Spain, Angela Ponce, she said:  "My reality is something that each person will think in a different way, because they do not educate us in diversity in schools. Still, my reality is not a reality that is 100% visible or accepted, but I understand that many of those prejudices come of ignorance, but I do not have time for that, I got what I wanted to be here and I did it." It seems to me that inclusion is a matter of living life individually. Why do you need people to be like you? Diversity is part of the world, and the nature itself. We are not supposed to live people’s life when our own is still running. Fortunately, some people realize it, and just focus on what is actually important. Educating in diversity is a good way to grow a new age with new values, and it implies not only sexual diversity, but in beliefs, religion, customs and so on.

In brief, it is absolutely appropriate that an LGBTI member participates in a traditional contest, it promotes tolerance, acceptance, and inclusion, all the requirements for a mental and generational evolution that implies equity all along. There is no time to repeat old patterns that were the cause of violence, suffering, and death so much time ago. Discrimination because of being different is not permitted. To tolerate, to accept and to include, those are part of an unbroken whole. One depends on the other and vice versa. Times have changed, and we cannot get stuck on a vicious circle where there is no way out. Evolution is passing by, and it is our choice to be in or automatically locked out of the future. Let’s give it a try to the generation where we are real human beings, not the shell who pretends to be it. Everyone has something new to offer the world, and the world has offered a large variety where to choose from. Being different has an implicit aim that we will discover just as long as we let our barriers and fears apart.  

When referring to be heard and to be well treated, accepted and included, it is utterly remarkable to let people participate in any event as they want to. What true about the world is that what you do not name basically does not exist. The differences are not bad and that is the challenge, to make people internalize it, and get used to see it everywhere. Once something is seen or heard repeatedly people just learn to adapt to it. It becomes something natural after all. If it does not cause any damage, there is no use on banning it. Tolerating, accepting and finally including those who differ from us, it is the best option. Pretending different ones does not exist, it is not going to make them disappear. Let’s become human beings. We already look alike, nevertheless some more rational actions are required to reach that human status.  We just need to treat good each other, and to be out of the box to critically understand and to promote change in our lives. All that aimed to destroy the rusty archaic mental schemes that hinder our path, and make us far away from a fair and harmonious world. 

Essay Outline

Question: Is it appropriate that a member of the LGBTI community be part of a traditional contest such as the Miss Universe?

Thesis: The inclusion and acceptance of unusual events to traditional scenarios is the real mental and generational evolution.

Introduction

Hook/Topic sentence: Supporting a small minority basically means to include them in common scenarios without any distinction, otherwise it is only a vile segregation.

Background information: The contest miss universe has been a worldwide contest in which women have the opportunity to show their beauty and also contribute to different aspects to society. However, no LGBTI person has ever participated, is this the first time.

Thesis: It is a nonsense that a community like the LGBTI being supported while spaces are categorized to separate them from the majorities. Tolerance, acceptance, and inclusion are the requirements for a mental and generational evolution.

Body (1)

Topic sentence: Tolerance as the first step towards a world without discrimination

Supporting sentence: Tolerance as the main value that allows us to accept and listen to those who differ from our ways of thinking according to Gestalt Theory.

Opposing opinion: Tolerance is given to people who do not go against nature

Counter-argument: To tolerate is to accept that in nature there are also different forms of expression

Body (2)

Topic sentence: Acceptance has no exceptions

Supporting sentence: Every singles law has an exception, but in terms of accepting people, it is no possible to skip some characteristics, you accept a whole package without exception.

Opposing opinion: People is free to accept under their own exigencies.

Counter-argument: Acceptance is but-free. There are no exceptions if it is a true acceptance.

Body (3)

Topic sentence: Tolerance without inclusion is a simple boast

Supporting sentence: An analogy between the “Special” education and the normal traditional one.

Opposing opinion: “It is possible to accept different people, but they cannot be close to us” The contradictions of speech.

Counter-argument: Tolerance and inclusion go hand to hand. They cannot exist in isolation.

Conclusion: It is absolutely appropriate that an LGBTI  member participates in a traditional contest, it promotes Tolerance, acceptance, and inclusion, all the requirements for a mental and generational evolution that implies equity all along.

Fake News

How do you think we could empower our Colombian students to critically spot fake news?

The fake news have taken a great strength with the arrival of globalization. Any person with a  spirit of sabotage, simply diffuses a fact, exaggerating it, energizing the social networks, until it becomes viral and without any veracity.

It is inevitable to blame those who spread fake news, but to some extent it is also the fault of the people who believe in that news without first making sure that it is indeed reliable. It is when the role of the teacher is very important from the early academic stages, but not only the teachers but also the parents. They are responsible for making thinking not that basic, but in depth. According to Stephen Brookfield, that is to say that people must move outside of usual / typical mental frameworks, Generate perspectives and responses unusual.

On the teacher's side, there is a lot that can be done in the classroom. Being a facilitator of learning, a guide for students, a person who directs them to their own knowledge with doubt and the desire to go further, is more important than a grade. The critical pedagogy addresses those issues, and according to one of its main promoters Paulo Freire, who posited that the most important thing is to give the individual the possibility of looking for what he really wants to know. The freedom of decision on educational issues and the ability of people to think divergently in order to change society and make the theory being applied and not be that beautiful part that simply shines in the texts and debates as an instrument of people who only have good a good speech.

To sum up, thinking critically is a very useful mental tool. We need to be aware about what going on is around us. We need to go beyond in order not to believe in fake news, and specially we need to change our minds and recheck the information we are given. Being a critical thinker is a process, but it is required to be carried out continuously, and letting people know that a strong mind is possible if we really aim to get it.

Where is the outrage?

Henry Giroux’s lecture points out the larger corporate and market main forces now shaping all aspects of education, politics, culture, and everyday life in North America. In his talk, there is a special emphasis on the role that critical pedagogy plays in defining not only traditional spheres of schooling but also a crucial form of public pedagogy that is at the heart of contemporary politics.

In the way I see it, Giroux's lecture is absolutely clear in terms of relating what he says with his life and current situations. I could say that he wants to communicate basically how the role of democratic education has been devalued in favor of a pedagogy of economical interests  and repression. It is inevitable not to think about the changes that education has experienced all over the years, however, and despite of the fact that many issues have been solved, and the role of students is currently more appreciated, education has turned into a business. New ways of teaching and learning have appeared, the newspapers, television programs, cable television, cell phones, the Internet and other commercial sites are really worth it. Neverthless when education becomes so dependent of external factors the creation of a human being who considers himself as a basic product, buyer, autonomous and largely free of any social obligation, is at stake here. This is a human being without ethics, a concern for others and indifferent to human suffering. And the pedagogy that promotes these values ​​and produces this theme is authoritarian and rootless in its production of savage economic relations, a culture of cruelty and its distortion of democracy.

One of the most important challenges that education currently has, is basically teaching how to think. Some teacher are focused just on sharing information without following some relevant processes that involve not only having as much knowledge as possible, but also knowing what to do with it. The fact of owning a car not only implies boasting of it, but being capable of handle it, which is similar to the thinking process. Henry Girous also points out how relevant being a learner while teaching is. Learning and growing intellectual and personally is necessary to keep evolving and comprehending that education is as dynamic as the students themselves and that it is essential to learn from them and in the other way around.

On the whole, education needs to be reevaluated. We need to be aware of our roots and to implement the critical thinking from our lessons as teachers. That is not about filling a blank paper, it is to let them know important things in order for them to react and use that in favor towards a social change. Then it will be possible to give an answer to: Where is the outrage?

Reflections About Stereotyping

All over the years stereotypes have existed and will exist forever. Stereotyping itself is a natural process in which people and places are characterized. However, Negative stereotypes are absolutely rough. When talking about customs and the way people look, it does not harm anyone, while talking about people’s behavior, social troublemakers , and so on, it is a difficult mark to take off.

That is to say  Colombia which  is a clear example of overgeneralization caused by a negative stereotype that affect the Colombian people in many ways. Being Colombian and going to a foreign place is such a nightmare. We could be drug dealers, violent people, and maybe we are trying to set up a new drug cartel. We have to deal with those false characteristics because we went through really hard past situations that finally  left a mark on us. We all are not drug addicts, not even drug sellers, and we do not take violence as a sport. Those stereotypes very often make people discriminate us, and look Colombian people down.

Stereotyping is just an attempt to link everyone’s characteristics which is impossible. Some people could fit on some stereotypes, nevertheless not everyone does. Coping with it only requires being brave enough and letting people know by your own actions the real person you are. Categorization is not always worth it, and humankind is dynamic, we are constantly changing that is why stereotypes lack of reliability and validity.

Critical Thinking Skills

Opinion: 

Should Chimpanzees Be Considered Persons?

Retrieved from: 

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/07/opinion/sunday/chimps-legal-personhood.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fopinion&action=click&contentCollection=opinion&region=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=sectionfront

Introduction:

• You might be aware that chimpanzees can recognize themselves in a mirror, communicate through sign language, pursue goals creatively and form long-lasting friendships. You might also think that these are the kinds of things that a person can do. However, you might not think of chimpanzees as persons.

Positions:

• One view is that only humans can be persons because humanity is the basis of personhood. 
• Only humans can be persons because only humans have the ability to use language and reason in abstract and sophisticated ways.

Background Information:

• The Nonhuman Rights Project does. Since 2013, the group has been working on behalf of two chimpanzees, Kiko and Tommy, currently being held in cages by their “owners” without the company of other chimpanzees. It is asking the courts to rule that Kiko and Tommy have the right to bodily liberty and to order their immediate release into a sanctuary where they can live out the rest of their lives with other chimpanzees.

Agreements: 

• I agree, and many other philosophers do, too.
• This view is more plausible than the opposing view, in part because it includes all humans within the scope of personhood. At the same time, it includes some nonhumans too. 

Disagreements: 

• In response, the Nonhuman Rights Project is taking a bold position: It is arguing that if every being must be either a person or a thing, then Kiko and Tommy are persons, not things. 
• However, this view is implausible. There is nothing special about species in and of themselves. They are morally arbitrary taxonomic categories.

Summary: 

• Sometimes when we are overwhelmed by the complexity of an issue, it can help to start by stating a simple truth and going from there. In this case, the simple truth is that Kiko and Tommy are not mere things. Whatever else we say about the nature and limits of moral and legal personhood, we should be willing to say at least that. 

Conclusions:

• This is why we can all know that we have rights without having to check our genes.
• As a result, they count as persons on any view inclusive enough to meet contemporary standards of human rights.
• The only alternative is to continue to accept an arbitrary and exclusionary view about what it takes to merit moral and legal recognition. Kiko and Tommy deserve better than that, and so do the rest of us.

Summary Of Stephen Brookfield's Lecture on Creative & Critical Thinking

Stephen Brookfield is the author of "Teaching for Critical Thinking: Tools and Techniques to Help Students Question their Assumptions". It is a book in which there are many strategies and tips to help people think in a deep way. This book is taylor made for students who want to improve their learning competences through encouraging them with activities where their creativity and criticism will be required.


In the lecture he says that when a person think critically, they can:

• Identify assumptions behind thinking and actions
• Check assumptions (accuracy and validity)
• Take informed action.

Brookfield also explained the kinds of assumptions, those are:

• CAUSAL: Explains a sequence of events
• PRESCRIPTIVE:Assumptions about how things should happen and how whe should behave
• PARADIGMATIC: Framing and structuring assumptions that may look obvious.

When talking of creative thinking, it is inevitable not to relate it to he way people sort out situations, and the ones who think creatively can:

• Moving outside of habitual/ typical mental frameworks.
• Generate perspectives and responses unusual
• Able to communicate learning through a lot of modalities.

One of the most important topics he talked about was the 4 key Intellectual Traditions:

1. Analytical Phylosophy: Inductive, deductive, infeential, logical fallacies.
2. Natural Science: Hypothetical deductive method, principle of falsifiability.
3. Critical Theory: Uncovering power dynamics and ideological manipulation.
4. Pragmatism: Experimental and creative pursuit of beautiful consequences. 

Finally he talked about how Critical Thinking is learned: 

• Ending discussions
• Speaking in tongues
• Drawing and musicalizing discussions.

What is Critical Thinking?

Emotional self-management

I consider myself as a very honest person. When something is disgusting to me, I just express it, and I expect the same from people. If somebody disagrees with me I try not to cause any trouble, but of course it depends on the situation. Even though when I know I am right I always fight for my beliefs, even when I am not because I am very stubborn. In those terms I would believe that the most difficult emotions to be managed are:

• Anger 😡

• Irritability 😒

I deal with these by taking a deep breath a letting go all the bad feelings. I know that I may not be always right and other people's opinions, even again yours, are importante to build up day by day your criteria and capability to fight for what you say and for what you want to achieve. 

Influences on my thinking

In the current world there are many factor that may influence on our thinking. In the way I see it there are two of them that are all over the world and are the most known: fashion trendy,  and the misconception of freedom. 

Once a person is into the fashion world, it is inevitable that everything becomes around it. The  dependency, and the desires about looking good for keeping appearences is insane.  

Additionally, the misconception of freedom. Freedom does not implies that I am capable to do whatever I want to. There are some limits and those are to be respected.

I deal with this by being sensitive. I believe that you will be treated in the way you treated other people. Everything goes back to you, it does not matter if it was good or bad, you just get what you deserve. 

Challenging Opinions

When I just came in the University I was really shy about challenging other people's opinions. Maybe I was kind of shy and it did not allowed me to express what in my mind was. Afterwards I felt comfortable enough. I started to give my opinions. Shyness is not part of me anymore if talking of giving opinions. I deal with it by being secure, self- confident and strong enough to express whatever I want to, of course being absolutely polite. 

Reflection

According to Bodner's description of students I feel completely identified with it. I think that the way we have been educated, I mean, in a very traditional way, it did not permitted to explore and to learn by doing. Books and letters have been always in our enviroment, but what if we just change the starting point with activities that awake their curiosity and at the end of the path the answres to their questions will be answered by themselves and with an ironclad conviction. 

This approach would have a great impact in education. The learning process is better when there is a desire to learn. So, I am very convinced that this is the right way not only to teach students but also to learn from them.