Amaanah Othman, 2/22/21, PD 8, Day C

Amaanah Othman, Period 8, 2/22, Day C

What are your thoughts and feelings about issues of inequity, oppression, and/or
power?

- Recently Texas was hit with a snowstorm that left many shivering, struggling, and

some even dead. The brutal temperature and harsh weather caused millions to

lose power. Since I am always on social media because I love to learn more about

what's going on around the world, I've come across many people laughing at

those in texas. People were mocking those suffering and saying it is what they

deserved for being a red state. However, many people in texas are low

income/minorities that did not vote red that are going to suffer EXTREMELY

due to the extremities of the storm who will be in the worst conditions after this

storm. Nonetheless, even if you voted red or not, that should not be a

determining factor to whether people freeze to death or not. Texan infrastructure

is not made to withstand such extreme cold harsh weather since it's unusual, so

peoples houses were completely frozen, their ceilings cracking, no insulation, no

electricity, and the water systems were not working. People from texas were all

over social media telling of what is happening and begging for help. What made

me even more upset is when Ted Cruz, a senator for Texas, decided that during

this storm he was going to leave the struggling people of Texas AND his own

poodle behind and take a trip to a nice warm Mexico. This caused an uproar

amongst both Texans and non-Texans, so much that he packed his bags again

and returned. Amidst his journey to Mexico and back, a child in Texas passed

away due to the conditions. This highlights the power inequality and the

inequality of struggles between classes, and between politicians and the average

person. What type of system do we have in place that a politician is so

inconsiderate as to run away to Mexico as the people in his state are hurting and

dying from the storm? What type of system do we have in place that even

ALLOWS a senator to do such a thing? I was so deeply disappointed with Ted

Cruz's actions, though i'm not surprised, and I am very upset at how many people

were just simply left with no help or aid. Something that was also pointed out was

that refugees were left freezing on the border. This absolutely disgusted me. So

Ted Cruz decided to cross the border for the “safety of his family” and for a better

“life” till the storm leaves, however, when those leave war torn or struggling

countries, this excuse is not one taken seriously and is often mocked. The

inequality of classes, ethnicities and races, and politicians compared to the

common people is starting to be exposed a lot more and it should be dealt with

and abolished.

How do you reflect critically on your own beliefs, assumptions, values, and experiences,
and how these can influence your perception of self and others?

- I use my beliefs, values, and experience to fight for those struggling against

the system and to educate others to do as well. I have always been one to

tell people that politicians are not our friends and definitely not the type of

people to “stan”, because at the end of the day they are not perfect and

going to disappoint many. This is especially true in my opinion with

american politicians. Texas is a perfect example of how the system in place

allows for the millions who suffered and for Ted Cruz's selfish trip to

Mexico. Forty seven people were reported to be dead, a number that could

have been avoided or at least reduced if the system we have in place

actually cared for the common people. Though America is a country that

loves to brag, we're far from perfect and were definitely not prepared for

most (as you can see with Covid and the extreme change in weather). More

people need to unlearn that America is the “best” with the “best”

politicians. People need to demand change and people need to fight

together against a harmful system.