Marijuana during pregnancy

Of course, when you click on the title, the first thing that you're going to think is, "That's crazy" or "Who would ever do such a thing!", but it's really not all that bad. Think about it, marijuana (depending on where you live and if it's illegal or not) is used to treat many things. Those things include anxiety, nausea, loss of appetite, even conditions like glaucoma. Pregnant women get 3/3 of those symptoms, so why not use something that is cheap and reliable. 

Below are a few interview responses from different mothers answering their experience with marijuana while expecting:

    Will you tell me about your experience using weed while expecting?

        Mother one: We lived in a state with no legalized medical or recreational cannabis use for the first four months of my pregnancy. During that time, I was vomiting so much that I had to go to the emergency room at least once every week (though sometimes as often as three times a week) for IV rehydration. My doctor prescribed me Zofran, but for most of my pregnancy my insurance company wouldn't cover it, and it cost about $11 a pill. Cannabis was about $20 a gram and it let me actually eat something. The only time I ate during those months was the few times I was able to find someone to buy cannabis for me. Four months into my pregnancy, we moved to Colorado and it became a much easier process—we were literally a five-minute drive away from a dispensary.

  

  What was your relationship with cannabis like before you got pregnant?

       

 Mother two: Before I ever really smoked pot I kind of looked down on people who did, and especially expecting mothers. I just thought, How could you do drugs while you're pregnant? Then I went to college and learned on my own that marijuana is not a "drug" in the conventional sense. I started smoking regularly and I actually became good friends with quite a few women who smoked while pregnant. It changed my opinion completely as I knew these women cared for their children and there seemed to be no lasting effects on the kids.

   

 Your child was born healthy, correct?

       

 Mother four: He was quite healthy. Still is. He is tall, and brilliant. I breastfed him for about 11 months before he weaned himself.

The interview was very long, but that gives a jist of a few mother's experiences.

So, the question is: How do you feel about this?

Hispanics and African Americans: Sibling Races

Differences between people within any given nation is much greater than differences between groups in any given nation. African Americans and Hispanics came from two different backgrounds and historical situations but still share many of the same ways of living as a whole. This is true even though each person may differ in many ways due to a variety causes like personality, parenting and social interactions. Despite their differences, both share common views about intermarriage, family cultures, and share the social struggle of feeling racially inferior to other races.

Intermarriage views between African Americans and Hispanics are similar, thus showing a comparison between the two. Intermarriages have increased tremendously within the last couple of years. Hispanics believe intermarriages strengthen pan-ethnicity. It also helps them establish more income and stability in America.  Even though African Americans are least likely to marry outside their race, they still are more likely to do so than whites. African American woman tend to marry outside of their race because of the lack of African American men with higher education. Therefor they believe they will find a mate outside their race that will, like Hispanics, strengthen and establish stability.

 In addition to intermarriage views showing a similarity between African American and Hispanics, family culture shows how both races are similar. Hispanics have an extended, tight-knit, supportive system. They usually have many generations living in one household and often times have family business where many of the family members work alongside. When it is time for the children to go to college they tend to choose to stay close to home if they do not choose to just stay home. Although African American children tend to travel farther away from home for college, African Americans have strong kinship bonds like Hispanics. Older family members pass on social and various culture traditions to younger family members and in return younger family members take care of their elders when they no longer can take care of themselves.

Both races have and take quite seriously big celebrations and family gatherings, enjoy dancing, music, and religion which make them similar in culture. Even though intermarriage and culture are concepts that express similarities between African Americans and Hispanics, sharing the feeling of being “racially inferior” further displays how they compare. Hispanics and African Americans are a racially, ethnically, and culturally diverse mix of people who all grapple with the issues our country faces. Hispanics are more likely to be discriminated along with blacks in the workplace rather than other races. Both groups are considered “minorities” and share a similar position in relation to the dominate White culture. In addition, both groups have been historically treated unequally. Hispanics and African Americans are often times negatively stereotyped which causes negative perceptions. This is why, for example, African Americans are more likely to being pulled over by racial profiling and susceptible to police brutality.

Intermarriage views, culture, and feeling “racially inferior” illustrate the similarities between Hispanics and African Americans. Even though they are two different races, they both have many similarities and if both groups join together as one much change in society could be made!

"Last Day" For The Celebration of Black History?

Today is February 29, 2016. The last day of Black History Month, so they say. But says who? As I heard college students state on a newly formed historically black college or university (HBCU) campus story, “My black is luxurious like the smooth chocolate it was dipped in with a pinch of gold” and “My Black History is never ending”. Just 100 years ago, you would not catch a single soul speaking with such dignity about themselves and their culture. This year's Black History Month has truly been one that will forever go down in the books for students who attend a historically black college or university. It is the first time there has been an outlet and source of communication where students across the U.S can converse on matters that directly impact the ones they identify with the most, while having the ability to view what other campuses are doing for their means of celebration. There has been nothing but uplifting messages and conversations occurring between students of color across the United States.

As we all know, Black History Month is celebrated during the month of February. It is not only a celebration of our past, but a celebration of our journey that is leading to a brighter future. Black History month was created to educate the black community, as well as others around the world, by giving recognition to important events and people in history.

From the civil rights movement, to the passing of the 15th Amendment- which granted blacks the right to vote, to black students excelling in higher education, all the way to Barack Obama becoming the president for two terms, the history of Black Americans has been an uphill battle with many fascinating accomplishments.

Now, we understand that this month was dedicated to the black community in February because it fell in between Frederick Douglass’ and Abraham Lincoln’s birthday- two men who greatly impacted the Black American population. However, this becomes controversial because many believe the advances within the black community, and the accomplishments and contributions made to the world should be celebrated 365 days a year, not just 29. Others believe, that the month is enough time because no other race gets the same opportunity to have a month specifically dedicated to them. Now I don’t want to personally input my opinion, so my question for you guys is: Do you think there should be a “last day” to celebrate black history? Or is it a year round celebration for most of you? Who says that you have to be limited to a month to celebrate happiness for your culture?  

Most people are living a life that truly exemplifies black excellence by achieving things their ancestors would have never gotten the opportunity to. Black History Month, for many, is about acknowledging black beauty and strength. However, should it be longer?

The End of an Era

     As empires rise and fall, so do great athletes. 2016 marks the end to the career of one greatest basketball players to ever do it, Kobe "Black Mamba" Bean Bryant. Kobe was drafted in 1996 and dominated the NBA every season since then. 

     Bryant's retirement not only marks the end of a remarkable career, but the end of one of the greatest eras in NBA history. The age of the shooting guard has seen players George Girvin(1974 -1990) to Michael Jordan( 1984 - 2003).  Bryant is considered by many as the punctuation point to this era. Bryant's impact of the game is one of the strongest of any player in history.  During his career he won five championships along great players such as the legendary Shaquille O'Neal (1992-2001) and the unstopable future hall of famer Derek Fisher (1996 - 2014).

     A good career in the NBA is usually defined by how many years a player has played. A solid career is considered 6-11 years, however Kobe, being the competitive force that he is, has played a wopping 20 years in the NBA. Bryant's love for the game and desire to win have pushed him to be the great player that he is today. 

    While Bryant had a sensational musical carerer, his first and most prominant love was that for the game of basketball. Facing a multitude of injuries Bryant finally came to terms with his retirement, in doing this  Bryant wrote a poem / farewell letter to the sport he loved: 

"Dear Basketball, 
From the moment I started rolling my dad’s tube socks 
And shooting imaginary Game-winning shots 
In the Great Western Forum 
I knew one thing was real:

I fell in love with you. 
A love so deep I gave you my all — 
From my mind & body 
To my spirit & soul.

As a six-year-old boy 
Deeply in love with you 
I never saw the end of the tunnel. 
I only saw myself 
Running out of one.

And so I ran. 
I ran up and down every court 
After every loose ball for you. 
You asked for my hustle 
I gave you my heart 
Because it came with so much more.

I played through the sweat and hurt 
Not because challenge called me 
But because YOU called me. 
I did everything for YOU 
Because that’s what you do 
When someone makes you feel as 
Alive as you’ve made me feel.

You gave a six-year-old boy his Laker dream 
And I’ll always love you for it. 
But I can’t love you obsessively for much longer. 
This season is all I have left to give. 
My heart can take the pounding 
My mind can handle the grind 
But my body knows it’s time to say goodbye.

And that’s OK. 
I’m ready to let you go. 
I want you to know now 
So we both can savor every moment we have left together. 
The good and the bad. 
We have given each other 
All that we have.

And we both know, no matter what I do next 
I’ll always be that kid 
With the rolled up socks 
Garbage can in the corner 
:05 seconds on the clock
Ball in my hands. 
5 … 4 … 3 … 2 … 1

Love you always, Kobe"

    It is no question that the game of basketball will never be the same without Kobe. The real question lies in whether or not Kobe be the same without basketball. 

    Farewell to the G.O.A.T.