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Copyright of mentalhealthrn

I have always tried to stay clearly away from social network sites such as facebook, twitter or blogging. Not only for the mere fact that, I do not understand these latest fads but because of the dangers of them all.

After taking an online journalism class that is when I had to finally take the leap and begin the long journey of blogging. Coincidentally that is when my cyber harassing started. A young woman or (so I think) began to email me random things. I blew the first comment off but the second one which contained sexually explicit things concerned me.

Cyber stalking and Cyber bullying are one of the most common things known to the latest technology and social networking sites. It is ultimately a gate way for people to connect with people they haven’t seen or heard from in so long but it is a big opened door for others to harass, bully or stalk you without even knowing who it is. One of the biggest mistakes people make is thinking that it is completely harmless since the only communication shared is between computers.

But with the latest technology it gives people access to so many things including personal information. Statistics shows that there are well over 50,000 predators but the numbers are continuously rising. Most predators prey on teens or women who seem the most vulnerable. Make sure to stay alert at all times because you never know if the person you met online is knocking on your front door.

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Leaving San Diego to Chico, Calif was one of the easiest and hardest decisions I have ever had to make. I knew that I was leaving for a great reason, education, but at the same token I was leaving so much behind.

From family and friends to leaving my puppy, it was a bittersweet feeling that overwhelmed me. But leaving my boyfriend of eight years was what affected me the most. I am only 22, which means we have been together since we were roughly about 14. We grew as kids together, went to prom and attended all of community college together and for the first time my other half was forced to separate from me.

Not only was I upset, I was scared. I always said I was not up for long distance relationships and here I was face to face with that exact decision. It has been tough but I can honestly say because of technology things have gone better than expected.

Of course at times things can be tough but we are able to communicate on so many different digital ways. With the latest technology such as web cams, ichat and camera phone not being in contact in some cyberspace way is nearly impossible. It is quiet honestly up to each person involved in the relationship how much effort they are willing to put in.

According to an article done by education-portal.com statistics show that people in long distance relationships see each other 1.5 times a month. Fortunately now you are able to see each other everyday and though it may not be the same it definitely compensates in some way.

Some believe that long distant relationships never work but with time, effort and technology you can build a whole other foundation on your relationships. It definitely allows you to be creative and appreciate time you have together.
Technology makes it easier to communicate on all levels. You no longer are forced to wait for snail mail but instead with a click of mouse your significant other pops up instantly.

This is typically how a child will sound out words as he or she begins their long journey of learning how to read and it seems that illiterate adults through out America are doing the very same thing.

In the United States alone it is estimated that over 40 million adults cannot read or write and what is even more alarming is the number is still growing. Though they can still function their tasks are limited. From reading labels in a grocery store to helping their children do homework these simple things only seem like luxury to them.

Illiteracy is usually caused by economic reasons that forces some to drop out of school early or some may just not be interested in learning, but is our “reliable” school districts doing everything they can to prevent an illiterate America? Some are arguing that schools are still passing children knowing how behind they really are in both reading and writing skills.

Staying up to date with the local news can be difficult as well. But some news websites are making things a little simpler by adding audio to some of their stories, which allows people to follow along with a recording. Sadly, not all things are quiet accommodating but with the latest technology things seem to be getting better as well as easier for those who cannot read.

You are also able to read many things at once or search for stories you may have missed in previous papers. You definitely don’t miss out because of the web. The web can also be a distraction to those who need to read and don’t deny it. It is during the time that we have to read online articles for our classes that face book and twitter immediately draws us in and some how two hours have passed and you haven’t read anything. Even worse we have skimmed through it, thinking that it is enough to get us by for the next quiz.

The web is a wonderful addition but it can definitely test your ability to focus. Remember once you are done reading the wed and its wonderful access will still be there.

For so long journalist have been too afraid to embrace the phenomenon known as, the internet. From blogging to twittering some journalists have been reluctant as well as close minded about the whole idea not realizing that these things are a positive addition to the world of journalism.

Some just feel that the fast paced news and ranting blogs are non other than a distraction as well as an insult to the “Gate Keepers,” who have worked so hard to give journalism, the strong ethical name it once stood for.

Little do these journalists know that this wonderful paradox has taken over and will easily take away their jobs if they do not get on board the 21^st century? Blogging has not always had a good name. Some people have used it to their advantage and as their very own personal diary to note their latest drama filled relationships or lack of, for the entire world to see.

But over time blogging has changed. Some bloggers have filled their message boards with intelligent, news filled writing that can and have been very useful to mainstream journalists. Yes, some do argue that bloggers are not journalist and vice versa, but what journalist need to understand is that blogging is not there as a threat but rather as their very own learning tool.

There so many things that they can learn. Everyday mainstream journalists get straight to the point and report the news. Though they are doing their jobs some not only lack personality but their own personal touch because of the strong protocols they must follow but it is something viewers and listeners feed off of.

Times have changed and so have people. Some are drawn to opinions as well as emotions which bloggers are entitled to and definitely do. This is known as no restraint journalism. It is ok to say how you feel once in a great while. You never know, the people you report may appreciate the fact that someone else can relate. Blogging is also very fast for so many reasons. Mainstream journalists continuously have errors in all news rooms but that is what editors are there for.

But what happens when neither you nor your editor do not catch a fact or grammar error and the newspaper or magazine run? Unfortunately you can not take back what has been printed but only reprint a correction the following day, that is, if the paper is daily.

Blogging is quiet different. Once blogs have been posted bloggers as well as readers may notice an error and almost instantaneously correct it. It is quiet amazing.

Blogging also allows room for new and different voices which can be different to mainstream journalists. Of course people can easily email or write letters to the editor and hope it goes into the following paper but the net as well as blogging allows people to speak their mind for the entire world to see. It allows them to shed light on things the blogger may have missed or never known about.

Like Steve outing author of what journalist can learn from bloggers said, “I am not suggesting that newspapers and TV news operations mimic blogs, only that they experiment with some of the ideas that blogs present.”

Before coming to Chico State, I was lucky to be part of a community college that was completely diverse, but I was extremely fortunate to be part of an award wining newspaper that was by all means the epitome of diversity. We not only had every ethnic race writing for the Southwestern Sun, but we also had different sex orientations as well as people with disabilities.

We were able to speak to our community in ways other newspaper could only dream of.  We were able to communicate with them because one of us was them in some way, shape or form. It allowed us to be sympathetic to the majority of people we reported to.

Though I LOVE Chico State, diversity is something they struggle with every semester, including their wonderful newspaper, The Orion. Since 2007 the number of minority applicants has dropped extremely.

According to an applicant cycle done by Chico State, between October and December of 2007 there was a total of 4640 Hispanic/Latino applicants. As of October and December 2008 the number had dropped to 3188. Unfortunately the media is dealing with the same issue.

The number of minorities working in the media has dropped over the last few years and will continue to do so if things do not change.

As journalists it is our job to, I repeat, IT IS OUR JOB, to not only report the news but to speak and represent each community we report for. How can we do that when there is no one of color on his or her team?  We need to meet half way and figure out why our media is doing this. We will continue to lose readers if this continues.

Michael James Rocha who wrote Minority Journalism Organizations: Do they matter? Yes!, explains why it is relevant.

“Each day, all of us as journalists must make it our goal to ask ourselves if we have done everything we can to make our stories reflect the voices and the faces of the community we serve. Are these voices, are those faces, truly reflective of the colorful palette of cultures in our neighborhoods?”

Dwayne Wickham who wrote Journalism in a time of Social Turmoil said it best.

” At the beginning of this century, W.E.B. Dubois predicted that,” ” the problem is the 20th century will be the problem of the color line.”

” And now nearly 100 years later, we know he was right.”

I am a very well organized person.

From planning ahead, making a list and having an agenda filled with different color post its, having my life in order is a necessity. Since just transferring in from San Diego, flying back and fourth each month has become routine, but planning ahead makes it a little easier.

Unfortunately, you cannot fly out of Chico directly to San Diego, so I am forced to drive to Sacramento each time to catch my flight. Having to get to Sacramento can be very hectic. I was very fortunate the first time since I had a friend willing to drop and pick me up from the Sac Airport.

I knew what a hassle this may be so I decided that renting a car would best suit my needs the next time around, but finding a company that does not charge a mint because I am under 25 was going to be a task, and I knew I would not leave my car at the airport since there is daily charge of $27. Leaving it there for 10 days…well you do the math. After searching online, I found a pretty decent rate and decided to book it immediately.

I was only going to spend $77 and that would be split between my roommate and I. I confirmed online and even called to make sure everything was in place. I was not leaving for another three weeks so I had plenty of time, incase I decided to change my mind. My flight was scheduled to leave the 13^th of March and I was scheduled to pick up the car the 12^th, but when I got to the car company who was going to rent me the car, they had never received a conformation online to my specific location.

Apparently it never went through. What was I going to do? I was scheduled to leave the next day, none else could take my roommate and I, and I had done everything ahead of time to avoid a situation like this. I immediately got an attitude though I shouldn’t have when the representative told me,

 “Booking online is not always guaranteed.”

“Excuse me!”

“If that is the case booking online should have never been an option,” I responded.

 I immediately left, knowing that would be best since I was slowly but surely going to get angrier. As me and my roommate scrambled home searching for a car we could rent with decent rate, we were short for time since it was 4p.m. and some places were closing at 5p.m. Sadly I was not dreaming and sadly planning ahead obviously does not always work out. We eventually found a car for better rate relying on the web to plan ahead may not always work.

You’re it Erin!! No you’re it Julia!!

These are some of the fondest words I remember about a place I call Home. My usual group of friends from my cul-de-sac know as Rivera Ct. would always ask if, I could come out to play Hide N’ Seek once I was done with my homework. Our usual rituals of hanging out, going to the local public pool during the scorching summer, playing pickle, and block parties are some of the best things I remember most about my childhood. Like all good things it slowly but surely came to an end. We eventually grew older and allowed our high school friends to intervene. Some moved away and some stayed behind but no one could take away the small but close community we had built over time. I will never forget the feelings of comfort and safety we gave each other. Even as young kids we were there for each other through love, death and departure.

Needless to say I am still in contact with most of them!

Things like that are sadly not as easy to find any more. The crime increase and, the feeling of being unsafe have raised forcing parents to feel apprehensive when their children go out and play. Being part of that safe net can be difficult when people prefer to keep to themselves and allow neighbors to only look at the outside, never really knowing what is truly in the inside. It seems as though communities only build during devastation, like hurricane Katrina or when a tornado hits, forcing people to rebuild what they once had and allowing them to find friends they never knew lived around the corner.

Being accepted is a challenge that we all face at one point in time, whether it is in our local community and online. Of course there are communities were we can go but, if you do not fit in the click or hinder some ones territory being accepted is almost impossible.

We need to find a way to communicate on another level. Of course some believe being part of online community is much safer and in some cases it is. Technically you are anonymous, but honestly you are really not that anonymous. With time you allow people to come in and eventually build cyberspace friends that you can truly trust.

But being part of a community where we see each other face to face is so much more personal. We need to get back to that place, where can all reach a common ground, say Hello as you pass each other by and, get to know each other. You never know when you will need a cup of sugar or a phone during a power outage.

I woke early this morning feeling completely sleep deprived and bored so I decided to eat my usual toasted waffle and orange juice while logging online to see what latest news awaited me, pay my bills, check emails and start writing my blog. “OH MY GOD!” I screamed when I noticed that my computer screen read, “You are currently not connected to the internet.” Freaked by the ordeal, I restarted my computer and checked all wires feeling confident that all would be resolved. “You are currently not connected to the internet,” my computer screen read again. DAMN IT!

What the hell is going on? I called my service provider very frantic, hoping the issue would shortly be taken care of. As I listened for my options I over heard a robotic, automated, women say, “ Due to the high volume of calls your expected wait time is 32 minutes. If you are calling about your Internet connection we are having technical difficulty and apologize for the inconvenience. We will resolve this problem as soon as possible.” I immediately remembered that my Blackberry 8330 would save me as it always did, but when I logged on, my screen read, “ You are currently not connected to the internet.”

What was I going to do? My blog was due at 10 a.m. and it was now 9:16 and I still had bills to pay. Worst of all I had an online date with my boyfriend who lives over 600 miles away and without the Internet I could not connect to my web cam. My life was over. Was it the end of the world? Had 2012 come early? It was hell on earth.

BEEP, BEEP, BEEP!

My alarm clock woke me and I realized I had just had a nightmare. Just to make sure, I logged on immediately and was overwhelmed with joy when my computer spoke the heavenly words “YOU’VE GOT MAIL! Phheeww it was just a dream and the world is just as it should be!

Life without Internet would make my life and perhaps other lives a horrific illusion come true. The World Wide Web has allowed many of us to connect not only with each other but also with the latest news and technology. On average it is estimated that over 1 billion people use the Internet on a daily basis.

Leaving to Chico State was one of the hardest and easiest decisions I have ever had to make, but I knew I would be able to stay connected with family and friends as long as I had my phone and Internet. I am able to chat and see them even if it is through cyber space, I am able to connect in one way or another. There was a time before Internet long ago. Information was not as accessible, people relied on the paper for the latest news, people went to the doctor rather than going to webmd.com to diagnose themselves and we had more personal contact with people.

Now years later we have become so accustomed to the easy life and with a touch of a button things are handed to us instantly and infinitely. I don’t think we could live without the net anymore. It would be absolute chaos. People would panic, business’ would crash and we would have to re-adjust to life to the best of our ability. It’s sad but true that our generation may have forgotten to live without the Internet. Without it the nightmare would become our reality.