Shirley Mei, PD7, 3/16/2022

 

• Socio-political Consciousness

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

My feelings about an inequity issue in the United States are food deserts in major minority communities. Food deserts are geographic areas that have little to no access to fresh produce and healthy foods. They may have more fast food restaurants and bodegas in that neighborhood to provide quick unhealthy foods. As a report in the 1990’s revealed that African American women were more susceptible to cardiovascular diseases before 30 years of age. More extensive background research showed that these women lived in neighborhoods that lacked grocery stores, gyms, parks and were simply surrounded by simple deli stores selling little produce and fast food restaurants. After leading a study it was found that poverty directly influenced a community’s accessibility to grocery stores, a simple necessity for many. I found it baffling that many individuals who were low income did not have the same access to fresh produce like others. They did not have access to personal transportation to carry the produce either making it more difficult for big trips to the stores. While, fast food was built in these neighborhoods to profit off quick food. It made me shocked to see welfare play such a big role in impacting one’s health. Everyone should have access to produce to be able to prepare meals and such to benefit their own health. It makes me realize how lucky as an individual I am to have access to grocery stores around my block or within a walkable distance. More grocery stores should be available in low income neighborhoods despite the idea of less profit as it is a necessity to everyone. 

• 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 reflect critically on my experiences multiple times throughout my working life. At times, when I’m told that my way may be inefficient and such it gets me frustrated as I take it offensively rather than constructively to alter my work methods. At times like these I reflect on my own actions and see from my employer’s perspective. I focus on what they noticed was lacking in my work and take initiative to correct it by speaking to coworkers for advice or going on the internet for a simple solution. At times it alters my perspective of my employer as I feel frustrated that they may be picking at my work but it makes me realize that I need to be working to their expectations. I challenge myself to find a more effective way each time and alter my negative thoughts about my employer. It helps me push forward and show that I am able to take constructive criticism and be the most efficient