Social Issue Topic

My social issue topic will be on prison alternatives, which is a topic that I hadn’t even planned on doing originally. I actually clicked on one of the links that was provided on the class schedule and randomly came across "Prisons" as one of the listed issues (from the “Hearts and Minds” website). I didn't know much about this topic initially, but it was something new and interesting. I read about how we are so reliant on incarceration as opposed to more humane, effective, and efficient alternatives to crime prevention such as rehabilitation, counseling, and education and job training. States are spending more money on prisons than on education. The majority of prisoners come from disadvantaged backgrounds and poverty-stricken neighborhoods suffering from poor education, unemployment, social isolation, and other factors contributing to more criminal activity. Prisoners face terrible conditions once in jail and after receiving poor treatment or guidance, they are released with very little to provide for themselves. More than sixty percent of ex-convicts commit a crime after they are released. Most alternative programs to prison are being carried out on the community and local level, which is what I will attempt to focus more on.

President Obama's Inaugural Address

First off, let me start by saying that I'm honestly not into politics. It's just one of those things that I know I should be informed about, but I'm not. I used to think that politics didn't apply to me. Once I entered college however, I've become a bit more informed and realized how ignorant I was to the world around me. I know that it is important to become more aware of what's going on in our nation and learn more about important issues, especially in this day and age when so much is happening in politics. It's exciting to think that I was part of the making of history, as I witnessed the inauguration of our first African-American president. As I watched President Obama make is inaugural address, I thought about how long we've come not only as a nation, but as people. As human beings we learn to adapt to change, and with Obama we definitely asked for that change. The following are just some quotes that I liked from his address:

"On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord."

"In reaffirming the greatness of our nation we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned."

"Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America."

"The nation cannot prosper long when it favors only the prosperous."

I am anxious to see what will come next for this nation as President Obama attempts to carry out all that he has promised. This is going to be a very interesting road ahead...