Racism

When I was around 9-10 years old I grew up in a predominately White American neighborhood. The school I went to reflected the same thing. In fact, I was the only Black American in my classroom. I can remember one day a young White American boy in my neighborhood called me the n word. I really had never heard the word before nor been called one. I told my mom and she reassured me that I am more than that word and to just remain confident in the skin I was in. At school, I began to notice that I was the only one like me, so I decided to 'act out' and become the class clown. This was the only way I felt would make me feel comfortable in the situation I was in. I didn't stay in that area for too long, in fact, I think we moved to another town not long after these incidents happened. To get through these issues, I would think back to my mom's words of encouragement and eventually developed a positive attitude about myself. Also I learned to not let people's words label me.

Racism in Europe against blacks is growing. People with dark-skin or that are African American descent are becoming more targeted with violent hate crimes because of their race. To minimize the hate crimes in the area organizations, such as, Black European Women's Council, are working to get the legislation to create anti-discrimination laws. Also more public awareness campaigns and funds for those we have been victims to racism have been effective to help eliminate racism.

Nutrition!!!

I chose nutrition as my public health topic because eating a healthy meal is very important in a child's development. A child's body needs food for energy and to help the brain process and learn. I chose to look at nutrition in Africa. In Africa, the need for food is high and this is due to lack of agriculture and shortages on water supply. It has been a consistent problem to make sure children are supplied with nutritious meals each day. Emergency food supplies are given to vulnerable and orphaned children, but support is always needed through donations to the Aid for Africa, African SOLUTIONS TO AFRICAN PROBLEMS (ASAP), and any other charitable organizations. Seeing the area I work in, I do have some families that don't have much money, but through USDA, we can serve our children nutritious meals for breakfast, lunch, and snack. This will provide them with healthy meals needed to help function in a school day.

Jamaican Childbirthing Traditions and Rituals

For the most part, child birthing is becoming more like that of Western societies. However, some parts of Jamaica still obtain the child birthing and rituals of African ancestry. This includes using midwives or nanas for the delivery of the baby at home. The placenta and navel cord would be buried and tree planted which symbolizes the connection to the land and a mark of pride for that child as they grow up. Bible's are placed near the child and mom and child are to stay inside the home after delivery for sometime. This experience is much different than my own. My child was born at a hospital with medical assistance. Also afterbirth was not kept and buried. Seems as if there is more of a spiritual and land connection with Jamaica's childbirth rituals and traditions.

Becoming a 1st Time Mommy!!!

The birth of my son Kingston was truly a remarkable, unbelievable experience. His birth was totally unexpected because he was supposed to come October 17th, but my gift was given a little earlier on September 30th, 2011. My doctor called me early that Friday morning to come in and have my vitals checked at the local hospital. So I went and after testing, I was told your having your son today. So not ready, but longing to meet my little one, I was admitted into the hospital. Now because I was facing hypertension and at risk of the child and myself, a few hours later I was rushed back for a C-section. I can remember the doctor and voices around me saying "is this her first pregnancy" and "she's doing so good." Only one sign of pain and that was the tug of him getting yanked out of me and a cry. I was a mom!!! Birthing a child can impact a child's development because we have to go to measure to make sure the child is birthed in a safe and healthy way. If the birthing experience is done in a poor manner it can put the child and mom at risk.