snow, snow and MORE SNOW

So in approximately one month and two days, I will be in London. Can we take a moment and think about how that is absolutely fantastic? Not to mention between now and then I get to be with my best friend AND the entirety of my family in Abu Dhabi. I was planning on packing for temperatures between 40 and 70, but now I find out, the United Kingdom is freezing over for the second year in a row. I suppose I will now actually have to put a bag under the plane. Please, Jesus, let it not be lost in transit on the way to Abu Dhabi or London. I don't mind as much if it's on the way back.

Also, snow in Spokane. In november, we had a good 14 inches, apparently. At school I'd say it was a good foot, maybe 14, but probably not. The trees were covered, and I spent the majority of Thanksgiving break frolicking in the snow with my good friends and roommate. Not to mention some quality time in front of the fireplace pretending to do homework with those same wonderful people :)

Of late, much of my time has been taken up by classes. Something that becomes more and more fascinating to me is city planning. The way that people in the cities interact and how the development of sidewalks and public spaces as well as the downtown has a great affect on the health of a city. I personally would love to live in a city above a coffee shop or restaurant (maybe one I own? That'd be sweet). The redesign of a dying city is an incredible gamble, but I've seen ways that it can pay off, especially through the use of smart growth; the reorganization of downtowns involving planting trees, building with pedestrians in mind first, then public transportation, then cars. It is a way to make cities people-friendly, trying to draw in consumers.

Also, random fact, Cour d'Alene is an area in Idaho about 40 minutes away from school and latest new article coming from there is a snowman shaped like a KKK member holding a noose. I looked up Hate Groups in google after Race and Ethnicity one day out of curiosity to see how prevalent hate groups in the USA are, and I found this map, put up by the Southern Poverty Law Center  which really opened my  eyes to discrimination and prejudice that still exists. So many people think that racism does not exist in the United States anymore. Reality shows us that it most definitely still existent, though now it is more structural racism rather than that found in de jure, lawful, segregation. On my trip to Louisiana, I realized that racism most definitely is present and quite prevalent.

Have you ever wondered why African Americans still make up the majority of the lowest economic classes in America? Pretty much, the system screwed them over. They have less of a wealth base to start off from (based not only on inherited wealth but also educational heritage, oppression, discrimination, racism, etc.) and thus have to work that much harder to reach a lifestyle that most white, middle-class Americans take for granted. I mean, how many times do you get in an elevator and an African American man walks on and you realize that you just clutched your purse  a little bit tighter. That is called internalized stereotyping. My suggestion - get to know someone who is different from you. Maybe you'll be a bit uncomfortable, but don't try and rationalize why 'they' are in their situation and why you are 'better' than them. I know this is something I need to do, and it's not easy. Really learn to appreciate the differences in experience and be willing to find yourself having difficult conversations with people. No one wants to talk about discrimination. It's not fun to know about people having suffered unjust arrests, suspicion from people of the 'majority' or mental and physical violence that they are unnecessarily subjected too, but be willing to listen and learn as well as review your own lifestyle. Accept where there is inequality in privilege and let that spur you to help others find their full potential and more in life. Sometimes, people just want to share their stories but can't find anyone who will really listen.