THE LIFE AND STRUGGLES OF DR. HECTOR P. GARCIA

by Hector (Young Observers)

Last week, I watched a feature presented by PBS on the life of Dr. Héctor P. García. I found it fascinating. After the presentation concluded, I felt saddened and ashamed that I had never even heard his name, much less the accomplishments he achieved in the advancement of Latino Americans in this country. Now, as I feel it is my obligation to spread his story to any willing reader, I offer you a short review of Dr. García's life.

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COLOR-VISION DEFICIENCY

by Annie (Young Observers)
Do you have Color-Vision Deficiency? 1 of twelve guys and 1 of every 200 girls suffer from this condition. Most sufferers have difficulty distinguishing between yellow, green, orange, red, and brown. This defect can make it hard to see green mold on brown bread or on yellow cheese or even distinguish a blue-eyed blonde from a green-eyed redhead.

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SPIRITUALITY

by Annie (Young Observers)

“Happy are those conscious of their spiritual need!”

People everywhere recognize the need for spirituality in their life and assume that once found, it will bring them happiness. What, though, is the meaning of the term “spirituality”?

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WHERE'S MANDELA?

by Annie (Young Observers)

"I heard somebody say, Where's Mandela?' Well, Mandela's dead because Saddam Hussein killed all the Mandela’s," – Bush

Those were the exact words Bush used when speaking at a press conference; his intent was to explain the sectarian strife in Iraq and defend his administration's Iraq policy. Sometimes I wonder if Bush thinks before opening his mouth to speak, Nelson Mandela is still very much alive!

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MINORITY GROUPS AND SELF-SUBJUGATION

by Hector (Young Observers)
For months now I have been voicing my objection to the ever-growing popularity of Barack Obama's presidential candidacy and that of Hillary Clinton, as well. My contention was not based on whether either could win the general election in 2008 but whether or not they were the right nominees in the first place. I wrote about how Barack's inexperience made him a mere demagogue, that he was not unlike Bush when he made a bid for the Oval Office in 2000. Still, George W. is the son of former President George H.W., and little Bush was Governor of Texas. Barack's credentials seem to be less impressive and not as apparent. And Hillary: I called her moral judgement and public loyalty into question, explaining my misgivings for her motives in forgiving her husband's infidelity and citing her early support for President Bush post-9/11. However, I've come to question my own motives behind my staunch disapproval of their high esteem among the American public.

I fear that my opposition towards them is deep-rooted. This driving motivation was unbeknownst to me until I thought the issue over a week or so ago. I discovered that the bulk of my negativity resided within my own prejudices against individuals belonging to minority groups in America, Barack being an African American, and Hillary, a female. (In this instance, and as is commonly done, I am categorizing womankind into a minority group, because they are perpetually and commonly denied rights and powers reserved for those occupying the majority, the majority being white, Anglo-Saxon, Protestant males.) My own ignorance prohibited myself from making sound, honest, fair judgements about the two candidates, but I think it's important that I explore how my mind fell prey to the systematic proliferation of bigotry that has been taking place for centuries in the United States and the world.

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OBESITY IN AMERICA

by Annie (Young Observers)
Kids, teens and adults continue to get heavier. One-third of children and teens in the USA (about 25 million kids) are either overweight or will become over weight. Even babies in the USA are heavier than they used to be. Being obese means having so much body fat that your health is in danger. When you take in more calories than you burn off, you gain weight. How you eat, how active you are, and other things affect how your body uses calories and whether you gain weight.

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JAMAICAN RUNNER ASAFA POWELL FASTEST HUMAN IN MODERN HISTORY

by Fernando (Young Observers)
I was reading my usual sports section when I came across the news that Asafa Powell, a Jamaican, broke his own record in the 100 meter relay in 9.74 seconds. That's fast! In a different part of the world the 17-year-old Nigerian national soccer team won the world cup from the Spaniards. Damn!!! Notice both cases involve black athletes. Just as important as race is the situation in the atheletes' countries. Both Nigeria and Jamaica are from third-world, periphery countries. Admirable!! Stupid sport commentators were sorry Spain lost.

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CREATE A POST: "USE CONCRETE OR A PIECE OF WOOD, THEN YOU'LL HAVE A STEADY POST"

by Fernando (Young Observers)
Ok!!! Ladies and gentlemen and all the other genders, it is my duty to inform you about the condition many ppl suffer from. First we will start with something light as cronic snoring while listening to pop Latin music, such as reggeton,bachato, and all the hot "latin beats." The snoring intensifies when Daddy Yankee doesn't cut it anymore, because it's so pointless and repetitive. Sooooooo, therefore we are forced to listen to the horrible beast like sounding sound of heeehehehehhgggggg!!! haaagggg!!!!RRRr... bla bla bla.... "Oye nomas," my friend said, and the this interesting girl also asked, "asi rroncan todos los hombres?"

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Faith, Part II

by Annie (Young Observers)
Faith can be interpreted in many different ways. Some people would say that faith is the basis of all knowledge. According to Hector, faith is defined as: “the adoption of one believe wholeheartedly and completely, such a definition is idealistic, dangerous and foolhardy.”

I don’t consider myself a religious person, but I am very knowledgeable when it comes to the bible. One of my favorite scriptures is Hebrews 11:1, “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Pursuant to what Hector wrote in his essay regarding Mother Teresa and her faith I have a personal response. I quote him, “They cling to their ideals, fearful of allowing themselves to act and think and feel the way they were born to, as human beings.”

Why would someone who has faith in something, anything, be considered to be afraid of allowing themselves to be human?

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AMERICAN ARISTOCRACY

by Hector (Young Observers)

The wealthy rule the world, and their language is money. Before you go screaming for the hills yelling, "Commie! Commie!", first read a bit more of my so-called Marxist propaganda (what they call "socialism." Right, Fernando?).

It is said that a few select people control the wealth in this country, which goes without saying that they might also steer the wealth of the entire world, since America plays the role of a younger brother who can still beat you up. The rest of the world may advertise themselves as being much older, more experienced, and therefore, more cultured than us, but they all eat at our table and solicit on our doorstep, either by choice or out of necessity. (However, if current patterns continue, Europe - as the European Union - and China might make a move to subjugate their greedy little brother. But until that day: USA! USA!)

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