Reflection

I found this blog to be a little difficult because I didn't want to sound like I was offering my reflection, but here goes a try. So far with this course, I have utilized the Internet more than I ever have in my life. From online blogging to online readings, I feel like I've done it all. One thing that I've always struggled with is using my time wisely. I've struggled with this ever since I was a little kid. If I could do this research project all over again, I would have started working on it as soon as it was assigned. I feel like my information would have been more detailed and organized, and things would look more presentable and professional.

Conduction of an Interview

I actually enjoyed doing this interview. I felt like a reporter digging for more information. I had my questions ready and it seemed like she had her answers ready. Overall, it was a good experience and it really has me thinking about my major. I have Mass Communications as a major and I think that I want to stick with it. I can branch off into journalism and work my way up to have my own show or something, but only time will tell.

Just A Few Comments

I am not from this area. I am a commuting student and I know nothing about this area. I chose to work down here because it was closer to UNCP and since I've been here, I've talked to different people about this area. Most people agree that there aren't any good, stable jobs around. That is the biggest complaint that I hear and it has me wondering why this is true for some many people. It makes me wonder if this place was a once a place that had opportunity. I wonder if this area was a place where people had what they needed. I guess I'll find out soon.

Where I am

With my interview process, I do have someone ready to do an interview. She lived in Robeson County for a few months, but now lives in Cumberland County. She has assured me that she was concerned about the health status of Robeson County, and that is one of the reasons why she had to leave. Once we get the interview started (I already have the questions ready), then I will begin the summary.

Why Place Matters

Place does make a difference in someone's life. The area that you live in determines what resources and opportunities are available. According to statistics, Robeson County is second to last in health statistics and this is a major problem. Robeson County is considered unhealthy because of the lack of resources available compared to other counties and cities. Now, there are many ways to combat health issues, but issues related to Robeson County are something that one would have to research and study. One would need an "ear" to the community as a whole in order to really fix the health and wellness problem. My suggestions would be to set up educational programs within the school system so that kids can learn at an early age what it means to be "healthy" and "well." To agree with the child program, an adult program could spring up to keep adults and seniors health. These programs would promote health and wellness as a necessity and not a luxury.

Unethical Practices

Both studies, the Tuskeegee and Guatemala, were unethical in a number of ways. In both studies, the subjects were unaware that they were subjects in the first place. It doesn't help that they all were lied to either. Also, in both cases, the subjects were not cared for after the so-called "experiment" was complete. In the assigned reading of Protecting Human Subjects, I saw how many studies were done by doctors that were just curious and did not care about the patients. For example, the Nazi camps that exploited Jews and the doctors that injected cancer cells into terminally ill patients cared more about what they were accomplishing than the actual subjects.

Tons of Research

As I was scanning over some of the links about oral history, one thought staying in my head throughout the process; the people that did these interviews and summaries really cared about the topic they were discussing. An awareness level has to be high in order to create such programs and websites so that other people can be informed of the issues that other people have. Looking at some of these links allowed me to step out of myself and see the world in another person's shoes.