Almost two weeks ago today on September 14, 2012, I attended a lecture called ‘Sex and Justice’ in the Campus Center theater. It’s not exactly the title of a lecture I could really see myself going to a year ago, so initially I wasn’t sure what to expect by going to the event, I honestly planned to go because I knew I would get extra credit for a class! I assumed that it would be kind of boring, since Anita Hill wasn’t going to be there and it would only be a video that would make me sleepy and possibly cranky before my next class.

As part of the Constitution Day Series 2012, it was obvious that the issue being discussed would have something to do with our nation’s government. However, until I saw the actual video, I never knew how much of an impact Anita Hill’s accusations against Justice Clarence Thomas had on the nation. After watching the video, a step by step documentary of the testimonies themselves, it was really evident that Professor Hill put a lot on the line accusing Justice Thomas so very publicly. It was also apparent that regardless of whom the hearings turned in favor to, the issue of sexual harassment in a workplace would never go back to where it was before.

So as I sat there for an hour and half watching the actual Supreme Court hearing that made history, I slowly forgot about how cold the theater was or how the camera close-ups in Professor Hill and Justice Thomas’ faces really bothered me. I really got into the actual context of what was being said. Anita Hill made bold accusations against Clarence Thomas; saying that he repeatedly asked her out, spoke to her of detailed pornographic visuals, and gave her vivid accounts of his own sexual life. In retaliation, Clarence Thomas opted to the use of pathos, stating he had worked for 40+ years to get to where he was and that not only was his nomination into the Supreme Court suffering, but the integrity of his name and his family were taking a toll as well.

The testimony of both parties was intense, emotional and drove nearly all watching to the edge of their seats.  Anita Hill gained a plethora of followers with the help of Senator Kennedy of Massachusetts and Clarence Thomas was a prominent and well known political figure with an army of followers. The decision was too almost too close to call. In the end, the Senate ruled 52-48 in favor of Clarence Thomas and he succeeded in obtaining his position in the Supreme Court of the United States.

Many people even today are upset by the decision of the Senate when they stop to think of it.. Some people believe that Anita didn’t win because she was a woman, some believe she didn’t win because she wasn’t as well connected as Clarence Thomas, and some people believe she didn’t win because she was lying the whole time. Regardless of Anita Hill’s defeat, the blurry lines of sexual harassment became more distinct after this historic event.

I wasn’t able to attend Anita Hill’s keynote lecture, but I know that she had a lot of courage to project her accusations so vocally. I believe that everyone has a voice and the choice to use it and because of Anita’s courage, the workplaces of America are a lot more safe and people have more courage themselves to speak up when they don’t feel safe. The Pledge of Allegiance states “Liberty and Justice for all,” and the testimony between Anita Hill and Clarence Thomas certainly played to that.

On Wednesday, April 24, I was able to go see part of the movie A Time for Drunken Horses in the Dunkin Donuts lounge. Although I wasn’t able to see the entire movie, what I saw was very interesting.

A Time for Drunken Horses is a Persian film about a boy Ayoub (almost my last name!) who becomes the head of his house and his younger brother is disabled and in need of surgery. Ayoub is an amazing older brother, regardless of his actual age. He attempts to raise enough money for his younger brother’s surgery by selling and smuggling tires but ultimately, he doesn’t reach his goal. His uncle then says that he will have the surgical expenses taken care of in exchange for Ayoub’s sister being married off. Ayoub, desperate, agrees, but when they get to the meeting, the groom’s mother won’t accept Ayoub’s disabled brother and instead gives them a mule for compensation. The movie ends with Ayoub and his brother crossing the Iran-Iraq border in hopes of a better life and medical attention even though they had lost the mule to smugglers and have no way of paying for the surgery.

Although the movie is fictional, it is hard to realize that things like this happen in real life. People live in such hardships, but when you’re surrounded by beauty like we are in America, you begin to think that the rest of the world must be like that and forget that people live in such brutal conditions. The movie showed a real life adaptation of so many struggles faced in third world countries. Even though I wasn’t able to see the entire movie, the parts that I did manage to see were remarkably done in a way that it didn’t seem dramatized.

On October 29^th, two days before Halloween, the Wellness Center and Drug and Alcohol Peer Educators hosted Lolla-No-Booza, a fun and informative event spreading awareness about the dangers and facts of drugs and alcohol. The event was held in the Campus Center Event room from 7:00pm-11:00pm and there was food, games, and a ton of prizes for students to win. This year’s theme was “Freakshow,” a perfect fit for the week of Halloween. Inside the room all those who were working the event were dressed as clowns and other circus-like characters in spirit of the theme. There was even someone walking around on stilts. Right outside the Event Room there were two people juggling bowling pins.

The attendees walked in, many dressed in costumes, to table after table of fun games for students to play: water pong, spinning wheels, knocking down cups with balls, and more. After each win, a student would get a raffle ticket and be entered to win one of the numerous prizes baskets donated by various vendors. The long table of prizes seemed endless. In addition to the multiple carnival-like games available to play there was bull riding as well as a photo booth for students to capture all of the night’s memories.

Even if students didn’t have much luck with the raffle, they still were able to get free things because as the event was coming to an end, students received plastic cups filled with coupons to nearby restaurants. No matter how the night turned out, everyone ended the event a winner.

I’ve come to realize that one of my favorite parts of Stockton is the opportunity to see different lectures. A year ago, I was sitting in a high school classroom with too many people and barely any leg room, and I would have scoffed and cringed at the news of a voluntary lecture. So much has changed in the last year, and I am forever grateful that it has! I’ve grown up in many ways, and I think it shows when I look forward to going to a different lecture every saturday in my free time, pen and notebook in hand. The lectures that I attend on saturdays are mostly on becoming a better person, and even a better muslim. These lectures are in Egg Harbor City at a community center that is quickly becoming an expected destination for me when I leave the house.

The lecture that I attended on April, 2, 2013, was similar in topic but completely different in location. Sheikh Jawad Rasul is a new member of the muslim community, but his family is one I’ve begun to know very well in between Saturday lectures and Sunday school teaching. As a sheikh, his lecture topics are based on Islam, however, the lectures are broad in the sense that they would teach anyone of any faith, how to live their lives in a more positive way. This particular topic was the teachings and habits of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad. These teachings however are not solely for the islamic faith, but are on manners and social conduct that everyone should follow.

I think that it is important to keep yourself grounded, especially when everything around you seems to be changing. I’ve found over the last year that my religion is the perfect outlet for me, but that doesn’t mean it is for everyone else. It’s also important to accept differences between yourself and others, you can’t force people to see things the way you do, but you can respect their opinions the way you want them to respect yours. Keeping an open mind is also important, as it teaches you things that you would have missed out on otherwise.

On April 8, 2013, the Honors: Global Community class was lucky enough to sit in on another lecture from an esteemed speaker. Instead of ecocriticism, this lecture focused on a different, yet somewhat similar topic. Christine Brady, a engineering graduate from Princeton joined us in class to talk about a truly inspiring project that she has given life to.

Christine Brady founded the Americas Foundation, an organization that aims to give aid to disadvantaged yet remarkably talented children. This program assists children who come from poor families and communities, and attempts to help them realize their real potential. Christine formed this organization after going to Tijuana, Mexico and seeing the devastating poverty in the area.

Tijuana is located in West Mexico, and is directly on the border of San Diego, California. It is often known as the city of children, since 75% of the population is under the age of 25. 80% of the population live below the poverty line, and it is in competition for having the lowest wages in the world.

The most amazing part of Christine Brady’s lecture was the hope –  La Esperanza – that she has given the community. She has built an incredible elementary school and is in the process of building a high school and chapel for children that are on either full scholarship or partial scholarship. She showed us pictures of school plays and dance recitals that the children have done and it showed how absolutely appreciated her work is to the children and parents. I was very glad she came in to speak with us, and I would love to try and help with the project any way that I can!

On October 29^th, Stockton held Lollanobooza, a Halloween dance party. Being held on a Thursday, which are notorious party days, it served as an alternative to partying in a safer, alcohol-free way. Students were encouraged to wear costumes, as there was a contest for the best costumes. The night was filled with games, dancing, prizes, and of course, free food.

One of the most popular games of the night was the bull riding. Though there was no actual bull, an electronic bull simulated a realistic experience of riding one. Some students managed to stay on for a few seconds, or even minutes, but most flew right off as soon as the ride started. Another popular feature was the photo booth. Students could take pictures with their friends, use fun props, and receive a two four-panel copies of their pictures. Fortunately, there was no limit to how many times students could use it, so those who came with a large group of friends could use it until everyone had their own picture to take home. A third feature that students enjoyed was the face/body painting and temporary tattoo station. Students who wanted to add a face to their costume could do so, or instead get small, festive Halloween-themed pictures, such as candy corn or ghosts, painted where they so choose. The temporary tattoos were colorful and metallic, and there were even Stockton tattoos.

All in all, Lollanobooza was a fun night that hopefully saved students from its alcohol filled counterpart(y).

I’ve been lucky enough to be working in the Stockton Grant’s office since October of last semester. It’s been a great learning experience in an even greater environment! My job consists of mostly mundane office jobs such as scanning, filing, delivering/retrieving documents and organizing. However, once a year the Grants office is in charge of a huge research presentation called the Day of Scholarship.

The Day of Scholarship is a day where professors and student present their hard work and research that have been funded for more support through Grants. It’s a really big deal, in my opinion, to be awarded support through the college to continue research! The day consisted of a breakfast and speech from the President, then poster presentations in the event room, then presentations across campus, a very nice lunch in the board of trustees room, and more presentation in the afternoon. The day lasted from 8:30am-4:30pm, and as I volunteered the entire time, I was able to experience the entirety of the work the women at grants put into the day. It was a lot of work not only by the presenters, but also by the conductors of the actual event.

I really enjoyed volunteering at the Day of Scholarship, and I plan on attending and possibly even presenting at the event in years to come! It’s a great privilege to have your research supported by the college, and a greater experience to be able to present that research to the ones that helped you get there!

On Wednesday, November 11, 2015, Stockton University held its Sixties Concert in the Campus Center Theatre. Starting at 6:00 PM and ending at 9:30 PM, the event featured the performances of first Barry Bender and Friends, featuring 1960s classics such as “The Times They Are a Changin’” by Bob Dylan, “Dear Prudence” by the Beatles, “The Tin Man” by Barry Bender, and “Friends of the Devil” by the Grateful Dead. Student performers then performed several songs, including “Yesterday” by the Beatles, performed by Marianna Alshay.  After the student performances, the Stockton Faculty Band played many highly-anticipated songs. One such song was “Land of 1000 Dances” by Chris Kenner. This particular song featured student dancers. Other songs performed by the faculty band included “In the Midnight Hour” by Wilson Pickett and “Mustang Sally” by Mack Rice. There were also special performances of The Temptations’ “My Girl” by Stockton’s American Sign Language Club and Mary Wells’ “My Guy” courtesy of Carol Pacentrilli.

Located around the periphery of the CC Theatre were many poster displays made by students in John O’Hara’s The Sixties class, highlighting many events and issues of the decade, such as the assassination of John F. Kennedy, the first lunar landing, and the start of the Vietnam War. There were also several posters portraying the lifestyles of hippies and beatniks and their role in the anti-Vietnam movement. I feel the poster that struck me the hardest was one concerning the Kennedy assassination and its impact on the American people. The poster showed Americans acting in response, showing their patriotism as well as their grief for their President. One statistic on the poster was that 175 million people tuned in to watch the heartbreaking event. Also pasted onto the poster was the classic photo showing John Jr. saluting his father while at St. Mathew’s Cathedral in Washington D.C. This image helped to portray the sadness facing the country in the days following Friday, November 22, 1963.

Stockton’s Sixties Concert was not only a success, but it was also informative and inspiring. It taught me a lot more about the societal issues facing the United States during the decade of the 1960s and how it affected the country at large. In particular, it taught me how the assassination of President Kennedy shook the nation.

Last month, I was able to go to a very interesting lecture during my Honors:Global Community class. At first, I was mostly excited to go because it meant a different setting for class – a whole class period not taking place in the same enclosed classroom. After the lecture however, I was intrigued by the whole topic.

The topic of the lecture was ecocriticism. Ecocriticism is the critical approach that considers the relations between literature and the environment. Basically, it deals with any literature that uses nature. I’ve loved to write since I was very young, and I still dream about being an author one day. Nature is something I’ve always loved as well and Earth Day was always my favorite holiday! To combine two of my favorite things, it would be a great feat if I wasn’t immediately hooked.

I remember learning about the transcendentalists in 11th grade, and I remember wondering why we didn’t spend longer on the topic since Emerson was so enchanting in his language. They way that Emerson and Thoreau spoke in their own experiences with the beauty of nature was so interesting. Ecocriticism is so much like transcendentalism, however ecocriticism is defined as the revaluation of the latter.

Eco Critics attempt to read texts with attention to the presence of natural elements- not as symbolic projections of the human psyche. In other words, ecocritics want to create more awareness of nature, instead of just using nature as metaphors and similes. They attempt to connect everything and everyone to nature.

Although we went to the lecture for Global Community, I felt as though I came back from the lecture a lot more informed than I thought I would be. I’m genuinely interested in ecocriticism now! I’m not sure if I would go into a career related to it, however it would be a great past time or research area! I’m really glad I went.