Mia's Musings

2016 ASAT Conference Highlights

2016-11-13T21:23:00.002-06:00

"Your most creative work comes from who you are. It's difficult in a society that tells you how to be." --Texas 2015 Poet Laureate Dr. Carmen Tafolla

The 2016 American Studies Association of Texas (ASAT) annual meeting was held Nov. 10-at Sam Houston State University. During the event, ASAT Conference Keynote speaker Dr. Carmen Tafolla, 2015 Texas Poet Laureate, shared various voices of people she has encountered throughout her lifetime. They include various personality types found in every culture.

: Drs. Cassy Burleson and Mia Moody-Ramirez and the 2016 ASAT Conference with Keynote Speaker Dr. Carmen Tafolla, the 2015 Texas Poet Laureate.

: Enter a caption ASAT Keynote speaker Drs. Carmen Tafolla and Cassy Burleson, a senior lecturer at in the Department of Journalism, PR & New Media at Baylor University.

: We have a society that values short names. --Maria Francisca Baca Gonzales Montoya de Lujan

: TERE, aka Terry, symbolizes the innocence children lose as early as kindergarten when forced to assimilate and forgo their cultural heritage. --ASAT Keynote speaker Dr. Carmen Tafolla, 2015 Texas Poet Laureate. https://t.co/zCglXKycWt

: Leona knows we are all related. "The depth of culture is in our folk sayings and our culture."

Tia Sophia, "We don't all fit into the boxes created by society." -ASAT keynote speaker Dr. Carmen Tafolla, 2015 Texas Poet Laureate. https://t.co/gllMzFsn7F

: Aricelli is the problem child who has given up on life. We need to dig deeper and figure out why people do what they do.

: Diversity is authenticity and who you are. --The conference presenter

The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

2016-11-13T20:22:00.000-06:00

I was fortunate enough to visit the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture with the Waco Chapter of Jack & Jill of America. We had a wonderful time! During our Washington D.C. visit, also attended the dedication ceremony for the National Museum of African American History and Culture, visited the White House, the MLK Memorial and the FDR Memorial. The details are below:

Members of the Waco Chapter of Jack & Jill of America were included among the visitors selected to receive tickets for the museum's grand opening. In order to get the tickets for the big day, several of our members called in the day they became available. Many of our members were disconnected from the call, most of them never got through, but one member was fortunate enough to receive enough tickets for members of our nonprofit organization to tour the museum on Dedication Day, held Sept. 24, 2016.

On the big day, we attended the museum's opening ceremony, then the actual museum grand opening.

The postcards we received as a keepsake

My sons, Tim and Bill had a great time learning more about the history and culture of African Americans.

The Journey through the museum

The Black is Beautiful Movement

Popular Culture

Black Arts & the Black Scholar

(Baylor Proud Photo)

Other Stops

The Opening Ceremony

We enjoyed the Opening Ceremony for the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture with speeches and performances by President Barack Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Will Smith, Angela Bassett, Robert De Niro, former President George Bush, Jr., Laura Bush, Patti LaBelle, Stevie Wonder, and many many others!!!

Wow! who would've thought out of thousands of people, we would have been chosen to be interviewed by WUSA. What an honor!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPAeRQtm6Io

Robert DeNiro and Angela Bassett

“Whenever men and women straighten their backs up, they are going somewhere, because a man can't ride your back unless it is bent” from Martin Luther King Jr. Oprah Winfrey and Will Smith at the opening ceremony for the National Museum of African American History and Culture. #NMAAHC #APeoplesJourney

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIaLtv9IdEA

Oprah and Will Smith

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=maTqstn-Vtw

The famous hug between First Lady Michelle Obama and former President George W. Bush

The DC Subway

Great adventures on the DC Metro throughout our visit. For many of us Texans it was our first time riding on a Subway. The Waco Chapter of Jack & Jill of America, Incorporated had some great adventures in anticipation of our visit to the National Museum of African American History and Culture#NMAAHC #APeoplesJourney #Wacojnj

It was an honor to take a photo with Naomi King, the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s, sister-in-law, in front of the MLK Memorial.

Thankful for our visit to the White House with the Waco Chapter of Jack & Jill of America, Incorporated. We are looking forward to visiting the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture #NMAAHC #APeoplesJourney #Wacojnj

The White House

We toured Howard University in Washington D.C. leading up to our visit to
#NMAAHC #APeoplesJourney #JackandJillInc

Kudos to Connie Nichols for serving as our DC Trip chair and Ava Crawford for assisting. A special shout out to Shamonica Trunell for securing our museum tickets! Our Chapter was truly blessed by this opportunity!#NMAAHC #APeoplesJourney #GodisGood

How to Handle Grief Following an Election

2016-11-13T20:05:00.000-06:00

As U.S. citizens struggle to process the results of the 2016 election, it is more important than ever to be empathetic, patient and nonjudgemental.

I shared this on my Facebook page in response to the posts my friends shared:

Please don't discount people's feelings or tell them how to feel right now. As a professor and mother, I can tell you people are genuinely grieving. We need to give people some time to process that Donald Trump, a person who has shared racist, sexist, homophobic, misogynistic rhetoric as part of his campaign platform, is going to be the president of the United States in January.

The grieving process is very important in situations like this. The grieving process should not be rushed. It is better to deal with his election now by engaging in critical dialogue, peaceful protests and sharing social media posts. It is important not to let hurt and anger fester like a boil. We may actually alleviate some more serious situations down the road.

These are the five stages of grieving for the death of a loved one, but they are relevant in any grieving process: denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance.
https://www.reference.com/world-view/stages-grief-d7d0a4b6571bfedc?qo=cdpArticles

These are tools to help us frame and identify what people may be feeling.

Offline Internet Trolls Attempt to Make Life Miserable in Person

2016-11-13T19:55:00.002-06:00

Wikipedia provides this definition of a "troll:"

In Internet slang, a troll (/ˈtroʊl/, /ˈtrɒl/) is a person who sows discord on the Internet by starting arguments or upsetting people, by posting inflammatory,^[1] extraneous, or off-topic messages in an online community (such as a newsgroup, forum, chat room, or blog) with the deliberate intent of provoking readers into an emotional response^[2] or of otherwise disrupting normal on-topic discussion,^[3] often for their own amusement.

This YouTube video offers insight into https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlsCNS63L1A

Worth noting is "trolls" are making the transition from cyberspace to the real world. They are using these same tactics in real life. People are reporting more and more instances of offline "trolls."

Trolls began to share racist, sexist and homophobic rhetoric immediately following the 2016 election of Donald Trump as president. Trolls hijacked posts with accusations that Hillary Clinton supporters are being crybabies, sore losers, upset welfare recipients, etc. A USA Today article warned, "White supremacists urge trolling Clinton supporters to suicide." http://usat.ly/2fGoNqT

While the term is traditionally used for internet bullies, trolls also show up in our daily lives. I have encountered "trolls" in various settings--including conferences, local events and my daughter's graduation. They are always random strangers who strike up a conversation and then say something inappropriate and hurtful. They catch you off guard, and if you are not careful, your first instinct is to strike back.

Trolls come in all forms, but they all share the common goal--they want to make your life miserable. They want victims to explode, act out and lash back. I am sure we will see an increase in the presence of trolls on the Web and in real life. I have encouraged my Facebook friends to beware:

"Try not to let them get to you. In every case, you have more to lose than they do. Don't let them unravel the hard work and care you have put into building a life that you and your family can enjoy."

My reflections on the Dedication Ceremony for the National Museum of African American History and Culture

2016-09-26T21:36:00.001-05:00

By Mia Moody-Ramirez

Members of the Waco Chapter of Jack & Jill of America, Incorporated

The dedication ceremony for the National Museum of African American History and Culture was an appropriate introduction for the museum!

The event was inspiring, entertaining and educational with special performances by Oprah Winfrey, Will Smith, Angela Bassett, Robert De Niro, Patti LaBelle, Stevie Wonder, Howard University's Showtime marching band and the Duke Ellington School for the Arts.

Also on hand was President Barack and First Lady Michelle Obama, former President George Bush, Jr., Laura Bush, U.S. Rep. John Lewis, Lonnie Bunch (museum's founding director) and many many other entertainers, politicians and community leaders.

I attended the event with Augie, Tim, Bill and members of the Waco Chapter of Jack & Jill of America, Incorporated. Our D.C. trip chair was Connie Nichols. We had a wonderful time and are looking forward to returning to Washington D.C.

Below are video clips and photos that I took at the opening ceremony:

President Barack and First Lady Michelle Obama, former President George W. Bush

Video footage of this hug shared by First Lady Michelle Obama and former President George W. Bush has gone viral.

Oprah Winfrey and Will Smith

Oprah Winfrey and Will Smith shared many quotes at the opening ceremony. One of the most notable was, “Whenever men and women straighten their backs up, they are going somewhere, because a man can't ride your back unless it is bent” -- Martin Luther King Jr.

AEJMC Small Programs Interest Group 2014 Paper Call

2014-03-12T10:33:00.006-05:00

August 6-9, Montreal, Canada

The Small Programs Interest Group invites submission of original, non-published research papers that focus on the relationship between teaching and research, particularly at smaller, teaching-oriented programs to be considered for presentation at the AEJMC Conference, August 6 to 9, 2014, in Montreal, Canada.

We invite members of all divisions and interest groups to contribute research papers – using any methodology, whether quantitative or qualitative—that focus on all aspects of how the global economy is affecting small programs in journalism and mass communication, including effects on their students and faculty.

GUIDELINES: See the AEJMC General Paper Call for instructions to upload to All-Academic Site. The competition is open to faculty and to graduate students; no separate student competition is held. Format must be WORD or PDF. Researchers also must upload an ABSTRACT of no more than 75 words. Authors must completely fill out the online submission form, including author’s name, affiliation, mailing address, phone numbers (academic, home and cell), and preferred email address. The title must be on the first page of the manuscript and on the running heads on every page. However DO NOT INCLUDE author’s name or affiliation within the running heads or any pop-up options that may be contained in PDF submissions. Papers are accepted for peer review with the understanding that they are NOT under review (or being submitted during the AEJMC review period) to a second division or interest group OR to a journal or other publication. Papers submitted to the 2014 conference should NOT have been presented to another conference and neither should they have been published or be in the publication process BEFORE the date of the 2014 Conference in August.

SPIG requests a paper length of NO MORE than 25-pages (excluding references) and the document must be double-spaced and typed in 11-point Arial font or Times Roman font – and follow APA style guidelines. Authors also must heed the AEJMC general paper call regulations and deadlines. For example, papers submitted to the wrong division or that do not meet ALL the above guidelines will not be reviewed (for example, submission of an abstract by the deadline but a paper AFTER the deadline, will result in the paper NOT being accepted). However, SPIG research co-chairs will make every effort to contact authors who do not meet guidelines so that they will be aware as early as possible that their paper has not been accepted and the reasons why.

For more information, contact the SPIG Research Co-Chairs: Patrick Sutherland of Bethany College at: psutherl@bethanywv.edu /Phone: 304 829-7716 or Mia_Moody@baylor.edu.

Deadline for paper submissions is April 1 at 11:59 p.m. CDT. Any submissions after this time will not be accepted.

The full call is available here: http://www.aejmc.org/home/2013/12/call-for-papers/

Waco Links to Host 40th Anniversary Celebration

2014-03-06T15:57:00.001-06:00

The Waco Chapter of The Links, Inc. will celebrate 40 years of service at 7 p.m. on May 3 at the Lee Lockwood Library, 2801 W. Waco Drive. Entertainment will be provided by Chyna Robinson’s Murder in Motown and the Jazz and R & B sounds of Dallas-based Natural Change.

“We are very excited about hosting this event,” said Chapter president and co-chair Josette Ayres. “It will offer something for everyone!”

The Links, Incorporated is an international, not-for-profit corporation, established in 1946. The membership consists of 12,000 professional women of color in 270 chapters located in 42 states, the District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. It is one of the nations oldest and largest volunteer service organizations of extraordinary women who are committed to enriching, sustaining and ensuring the culture and economic survival of African Americans and other persons of African ancestry.

Some of the chapter’s local initiatives include:

Fit/Fitness Inspired Teens to address childhood obesity

Think Pink with Links breast cancer awareness

Bronze Eagle Fly-In K-12 initiative

Breakfast with Santa promotes the arts and the well-being of family

Linkages to Life educates and encourages organ donation

The Waco Chapter supports and collaborates with various organizations in the community including the American Cancer Society, Alzheimer's Association, Susan G. Komen Race for A Cure, Habitat for Humanity, Restoration Haven, Talitha Koum and area schools.

The 40^th anniversary will help the chapter raise funds to support these efforts and to give back to the Central Texas community, said co-chair Demetra Kennedy,

“There are various ways to support the Waco Chapter's 40th anniversary celebration--including sponsorships and purchasing either tickets or advertisements in the chapter's playbill,” Kennedy said

Sponsorship levels include:

Ruby: $1,000 (ad in playbill, 8 tickets - table at the event, signage at the event, special recognition and listing on the chapter website http://www.wacolinksinc.info)
Partner: $500 (1/2 page ad in playbill, four tickets, signage at event, special recognition, listing on website)
Supporter: $250 (1/4 page ad in playbill, two tickets, signage, special recognition, listing on website)

Prices for advertisements in Playbill

Ads are available in the event's playbill. Prices for black and white ads are:

$250 color back cover (based on availability)
$200 color inside cover (based on availability)
$150 color back inside (based on availability)
$100 for a full page
$80 for a 1/2 page
$60 for a 1/4 page
$25 for a 1/8 page.

Tickets are $60 per person.

Proceeds benefit Pack of Hope child hunger initiative and community projects of the Waco Links, Inc.

History of the Waco Chapter

The Waco Chapter of The Links, Incorporated was chartered in 1974 in Waco, Texas. Link Dolly Adams petitioned the chapter’s charter, while on leave from the Angel City Chapter of Los Angeles, Calif. The formal installation of the Waco Chapter was held on May 25, 1974, with Link Vera Codwell, the organization’s then national vice president, serving as the installing officer.

Waco Chapter Charter members were Beulah Barksdale, Marguerite Bennett, Joann Clark, Martha Forney, Dolores Harris, Iris Harrison, Barbara Hobbs, Jean B. Manning Vivienne Mayes, Deloris Reid. The Waco Chapter of The Links, Inc. has flourished since its inception.

For more information email wacolinks@yahoo.com or 254-300-5718.

The Waco Chapter of The Links, Inc. Sponsors Fourth-Annual Santa Workshop

2013-12-23T11:03:00.004-06:00

The Waco Chapter of The Links, Inc.'s 2013 Santa Workshop provided a great opportunity for members to share their gifts and talents with the community.

Attendees had a great time partaking in activities such as coloring, arts and crafts and cookie decorating. The event also included cookies and cocoa, and a surprise visit from Santa.

This year's community storyteller, Mary Evans, was a hit for the powerful reading of her children's book titled, "Thunder and Lightning." She captivated the group's pint-sized audience.

"I was blessed and honored to share with the Links Waco Chapter," Evans said. "The young people who make up my target audience gave confirmation by their attentiveness, participation, and engagement that my picture book just might be a favorite of millions of children worldwide!"

The Links, Inc. founded in 1946, is one of the oldest and largest volunteer service organizations of women who are committed to enriching, sustaining and ensuring the culture and economic survival of African Americans and other persons of African ancestry. The Waco Chapter of the Links, Inc, was founded in 1974 and is proud to be a contributing member of the Central Texas community.

The Waco chapter sponsors this free event each year.

American Studies Conference (ASAT) 2013 Program November 14-16, 2013

2013-11-10T18:49:00.002-06:00

Conference Highlights

Registration: Thursday, Nov. 14, from 3 to 6 p.m.

Hankamer School of Business Lobby

The Day JFK Died Film
Kayser Auditorium, Room 150, Hankamer School of Business, 3:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 14

Join us for a viewing of “The Day Kennedy Died.” Nov. 22, 2013, marks 50 years since the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Smithsonian Channel pays tribute to that milestone with an immersive new two-hour documentary. Narrated by Oscar-winning actor Kevin Spacey, this stirring minute-by-minute story of the death of a president draws from rarely seen film, photographs and eyewitness accounts to relive the tragic events of that infamous day in Dallas. The new documentary from acclaimed director Leslie Woodhead plunges viewers into the day leading up to President Kennedy's appearance in Dallas, the shocking moment itself and the aftermath of the assassination. From the president and first lady’s morning in Fort Worth to their afternoon arrival in Dallas on Air Force One, viewers will learn about the hostile environment the President was entering and the concerns expressed for his safety. Charles Poe, who was editor of The Baylor Lariat in 1987, is now vice president of production for the Smithsonian Network.
For more information, visit this link: http://www.smithsonianchannel.com/sc/web/show/3387792/the-day-kennedy-died

Creative writing–readings
7:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 14, in the Kayser Auditorium
150 Hankamer School of Business

Elizabeth Bates sees the world differently every day through the eyes of her son who will be 2-years-old on Valentine’s Day. She appreciates this fresh perspective and the joy her son and husband bring her. In her spare time, her family of three travels across Texas to see loved ones. They delight in eating where the locals eat wherever they go. When she has down time, Elizabeth preserves precious memories using crafts and scrapbooks. Her creative work will be published in an anthology of Texas women poets, “Her Texas: Story, Image & Song” (Wings Press, 2014).

Cassy Burleson has worked since 1965 as a writer/editor/photographer. She has published in Langdon Review (2009-2010) and Beall Poetry Festivals and previously published poetry (and interviews with Anne Sexton and Judson Crews) in Whetstone, Green Fuse and Stone Drum. She is the 2013 American Studies Association of Texas vice president and Baylor Crew sponsor. She is one of four co-editors of “Her Texas: Story, Image & Song” (Wings Press 2014).

Kathleen Hudson, English Department at Schreiner University, is the director/founder of the Texas Heritage Music Foundation located on the Schreiner campus. A 2010 Piper Professor recipient, she has two books published on Texas music with University of Texas Press: “Telling Stories, Writing Songs: An Album of Texas Songwriters” (2001) and “Women in Texas Music: Stories and Songs (2007). She is committed to the possibility that stories and songs make a difference in the world.

Donna M. Johnson wrote a memoir critically acclaimed by the New York Times, O Magazine, People, Texas Monthly, The Minneapolis Star and many other publications and blogs. “Holy Ghost Girl” was awarded the Mayborn Creative Nonfiction Prize and a “Books for a Better Life” award in Manhattan. She’s written about religion, family and culture for The Rumpus, Shambhala Sun, Huffington Post, Psychology Today, the Dallas Morning News, the Austin American Statesman and other publications. Her work also appears in several anthologies and journals, among them “Her Texas: Story, Image & Song” (Wings Press 2014). She escaped the elect at 17 and has spent most of her life outrunning the apocalypse. So far so good, she says. Donna lives in Austin with her husband, the poet and short story writer Kirk Wilson.

Jenuine Poetess (Jennifer Alumbaugh) came to Waco in 2012 from Los Angeles, where she began practicing as a written and spoken-word artist. It was also where, in 2010, she founded the first chapter of In the Words of Womyn writing circle. Since moving to Texas, she’s founded the weekly Word Gallery Open Mic—a community exhibit of words: spoken, written, and sung and the second chapter of ITWOW—Heart of Texas—a weekly writing circle for womyn who practice, discuss, and explore the written and spoken-word arts. Jenuine has enthusiastically teamed up with Waco Arts Initiative to lead a poetry workshop for young writers of the South Terrace neighborhood and was recently named chair of the Waco Cultural Arts Annual WordFest, where she’s brainstorming 2014’s festival. Jenuine’s writings have been published in “LOUDmouth ‘Zine, Mujeres de Maiz,” “AIPF’s 21st Annual Di-verse-city Adult Anthology” and “Rushing Waters Rising Dreams: How Art Transforms Community” (Tia Chucha Press, 2012). She’s passionate about fostering spaces where individuals of all ages, styles, levels, genres and languages are empowered to “give sound to our story and volume to our voice.”

June Zaner spent most of her adult life as a commercial artist with her life-mate Richard Zaner in university settings, June Zaner returned to Texas and to the Gulf Coast, where she had first begun writing as one of seven students in Mrs. Alpha Kemp Baker’s first creative writing class at Houston’s Milby High. The transition from art back to writing has been seamless, and she has published essays, political observations, and poetry for newspapers and literary journals. Her drawings and poetry will be included in an anthology of Texas women artists, "Her Texas: Story, Image, & Song” (Wings Press 2014). And June’s story continues ... the next story, poem or song is always just around the next corner.

Richard M. Zaner was among the first philosophers to become involved in clinical and research medicine. He retired as Stahlman Professor Emeritus of Medical Ethics and Philosophy of Medicine, Vanderbilt University (2002). Graduating summa cum laude from The University of Houston (1957), he received my M.A. and Ph.D. (1959; 1961, “with distinction”) from The New School, New York City. I taught at numerous universities, ending his career at Vanderbilt, where he established the first clinical ethics consultation service and had to undergo embarrassing discussions with insurance agents, who guessed he might need defense against moral or perhaps intellectual malpractice. Never happened ... Along the way, he’s published nine books, edited 12, and published more than 125 articles in professionally reviewed books and journals.

Conference Schedule for Friday, Nov. 15

Session One – 9 to 10 a.m., Cashion 410
Moderator: Mia Moody-Ramirez

“Faulkner’s Bear: Squirrels, Timber and the Ecological Self”
Ken Hada, East Central University Department of English & Languages

Faulkner’s oft-anthologized story “The Bear” provides a valuable case study for an eco-critical reading. Often the story has been read through a mythological lens. Sometimes, historical and/or cultural frameworks also are considered. All of these readings offer interesting considerations. A mythic reading can be especially powerful, since it taps into the sense of human existence as participant in a fallen, tragic worldview. But this paper, argues that an eco-critical reading should be considered because eco-criticism allows readers to not only understand the history, culture and myth involved in Faulkner’s fictional world, it goes beyond these views to connect readers to contemporary social problems, namely issues with human irresponsibility toward the environment.

“Poe and the Blackwood’s Tale”
Brooke H. Smith, San Antonio

Edgar Allan Poe’s works are extremely popular and often anthologized. Poe is lauded as a “master of terror” and viewed as a mysterious, dark figure in history. But most scholars agree his reputation in popular culture is misinformed and that Poe himself was not entirely serious about his prose works. Some critics even accuse Poe of plagiarism and label him "parochial and immature" (Weiner 45), and many scholars have criticized him for using too many sources for his work; however, one must not discount the value of Poe's short fiction on the basis of his liberal use of source material. This essay explores three works that inspired one of Poe’s most famous stories and evaluates the key differences that contribute to Poe’s enduring success over his contemporaries. The first section of this essay discusses the literary trends in the mid-nineteenth century including the popularity of periodicals and sensationalism. This paper also focuses on works published in Blackwood’s Edinburgh Magazine and the critical standard that the editors and contributing authors followed.

Session Two: 10:15 a.m. to noon, Cashion 410
Moderator: Danielle Brown, Ph.D. candidate, University of Texas at Austin

“The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism in True Grit: The Lovelorn Character of Mattie Ross”
Lloyd M. Daigrepont, English and Modern Languages, Lamar University

In “True Grit” Charles Portis develops the story of Mattie Ross’s vengeance with disarming irony and humor. Readers must find the central character “cute” or at least amusing. An adolescent girl with the gumption to ride into a world of outlaws, hanging judges and obscene and drunken ex-marauders draws our admiration. Sporting the oversized hat and coat of her murdered father and wielding his long Colt dragoon’s cap-and-ball revolver, Mattie is charmingly “bad” in the modern subcultural meaning of the term. She shows “sand,” as the beleaguered stock merchant Stonehill observes; according to John M. Ditsky, it is the outspoken, tenacious Mattie who will accept nothing less than the death of Tom Chaney. But Portis’s depiction of Mattie is far more complicated, as will be revealed in this presentation.

“Elizabeth Moon’s Vatta’s War: Military Science Fiction, Texas Style”
Charles L. Etheridge, Jr., Department of English
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi

The works of Rio Grande Valley native Elizabeth Moon always have been informed by her native state, from her interest in horses to the strong infusion of Latino culture, to her interest in landscape. Her background has infused her work in another significant way: she is one of the handful of women writers in the genre of military science fiction (SF). Her most successful, unified, and complex work of military SF is the five-volume “Vatta’s War” cycle. This series traces the development of Kylara “Ky” Vatta from a disgraced, military academy dropout lucky to get a job ferrying old spaceships to the scrapyards, to the creation and leadership of a force which is able to hold off the threat of a piratical force trying to isolate planetary governments from one another for the purpose of plunder and domination. Military Science Fiction has exploded in popularity in the U.S. since Sept. 11, 2001, and it’s not hard to see why. The loss of a sense of security following the Al Qaida sponsored attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. has had a profound and prominent effect on the US consciousness (and on the fiction-buying public).

“Her Texas: Story, Image & Song”
Donna Walker-Nixon, Ph.D., English Department, Baylor University
Cassy Burleson, Ph.D., Baylor University, Department of Journalism, PR & New Media

Join editors to get a preview of “Her Texas: Story, Image & Song” (set for 2014 publication at Wings Press). Our book of 50 women artists includes the back stories from songsters Ruthie Foster, Tish Hinojosa, Amanda Pearcy, Christine Albert, and Emy Taylor; Texas poet laureates Jan Seale, Karla Morton and Rosemary Catacalos and poets Anne McCrady, Sarah Cortez (“How to Undress a Cop”), Charlotte Renk and others; artist Helen Kwiatkowski; photographers Deana Newcomb, Tammy Cromer-Campbell and Ysabel de la Rosa; music historian Kathleen Hudson; photographers Deana Newcomb and Tammy Cromer Campbell; and authors Donna Johnson (“Holy Ghost Girl”), Christine Warren (“Paddlefish”), Suzy Spencer (“Secret Sex Lives”), Susan Kelly Flatau, Guida Jackson (founder of Panther Press), Diane Fanning (“Red Boots and Attitude”), and Mary Rogers (“Dancing Naked”). [The inspiration for our title, “Her Texas,” came from Lou Rodenberger’s autobiography, which she was writing when she passed away.]

Session three: 1:15 to 3:15 p.m., Cashion 409
Moderator: Marlene Neill, Ph.D., Baylor Department of Journalism, PR & New media

“The Positive Effects of Reality Television on Participants”
Tonya B. Lewis, Baylor University graduate student, Master of Arts in Journalism, PR & New Media

Since the first reality show, “An American Family,” was introduced in 1973, numerous shows have followed suit. The mid 1990s saw a resurgence of reality television programming with the popularity of MTV’s “Real World” franchise. Since this time, the popularity of the genre has increased exponentially. Competition shows, weight loss, makeover, talent, and home improvement shows currently dominate network programming. This explosion of reality television has led to numerous benefits for its participants. In analyzing the various types of reality television shows, a clear pattern emerges. Through reality TV, participants are able to revive careers, create wealth, repair their public image, increase their fan base and scope, and obtain celebrity status.

“Guilty by Association: An Analysis of Shaunie O’Neal’s Online/On-Air Image Restoration Tactics”
Mia Moody, Ph.D., Isla Hamilton-Short and Kathryn Mitchell, Baylor University Department of Journalism, PR & New Media
Shaunie O’Neal became a public figure through her marriage to Shaquille O’Neal, their subsequent divorce, and the creation of her VH-1 show titled “Basketball Wives.” The growing usage of the Internet as a source of information has spurred a growing interest in the medium as a tool for image repair. Broadening the application of Benoit’s image repair theory, this case study looks at the image repair tactics of O’Neal following four seasons on the television show “Basketball Wives.” Specifically, it conceptualizes stereotypical behaviors of the cast, which served to help tarnish O’Neal’s previously clean-cut image. Then it looks at how the reality TV star presented herself through her reality television show, Twitter and Facebook accounts. Findings suggested that cast members exhibited traditional stereotypes, such as the “angry black women,” “Jezebel” and “tragic mulatto;” which O’Neal counteracted with some more acceptable archetypes such as “good mother” and “victim.” Responses to her social media indicate the reality televisions star’s attempt to improve her image often were ineffective.

“A Review of Texas Cyclist Lance Armstrong’s
Image Restoration Tactics”
By Kyle Beam, Baylor University Master of Arts in Journalism, PR & New Media.

This presentation will focus on Lance Armstrong and his use of the media to get his message across about accusations of his use of steroids. Using Benoit’s image repair theory, it looks at the methods Armstrong has employed to repair his image in the wake of viewer vilification, whether his tactics have been effective, and the implications of how social media have impacted that effectiveness. What separates this research from other image repair studies is Armstrong’s comments were made exclusively on Twitter—not in statements or reports to the media.

Session Four: 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., Kayser Auditorium
Moderator: Greg Giddings, Ph.D., Midwestern State University

“The Man Behind the Movement: Frederick Douglass”
Malory Green, Baylor University graduate student, Master of International Journalism

There are few things more powerful for inciting a movement or rebellion than a personal experience in the life of a passionate person. Being an exemplary orator and writer does not hurt the cause, either. Frederick Douglass’s life proved this time and time again. This man, an orator, abolitionist, publisher, activist, and escaped slave, became the mouthpiece for the movement for African American equality long before Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. ever graced headlines. His courage and grit is first evident in the fact that he escaped from slavery and remains clear through his slave narratives and great speeches that stirred the hearts of people from all walks of life. Much like Dr. King would articulate in later years, Douglass had a dream, too. This dream was that the oppressed would find the beauty of true and complete freedom and that everyone’s voices would be heard, no matter what color their skin might have been.

“Fifteen Years and Still Counting: Jasper Dragging Longitudinal Study”
By Cassy Burleson, Ph.D., Mia Moody, Ph.D., Baylor University Department of Journalism, PR and New Media
Danielle Brown, University of Texas at Austin, Ph.D. candidate.

Although the Fourth Estate has moved on to cover other stories in other towns, Jasper’s on-going soul-searching continues, removed from the glare of a media spotlight. Two events have once again put Jasper in the media spotlight. The first was the execution of one murderer, Lawrence Russell Brewer, Sept. 21, 2011. Brewer was one of three men who were tried and found guilty of the racially motivated murder. Secondly, a recent city council activity resulted in 19 reverse discrimination suits stemming from the appointment and subsequent firing of black Police Chief Rodney Pearson. This longitudinal study continues our quest to document the changing socio-political, racial and economic dynamics of the city following the James Byrd Jr. murder. Our goal is to preserve the truth as seen from many points of view by digging deeper into improving race relations and the implications of Jasper’s story for future generations.

“Mediating Society’s Rape Culture in a New Media Environment: A Frame Analysis of the Steubenville High School Rape Case”
Mia Moody-Ramirez, Ph.D., Sara Stone, Ph.D.
Malory Green, Tonya B. Lewis & Ben Murray
Baylor University Department of Journalism, PR and New Media

In October 2013, two Steubenville High School students were sentenced to at least a year in juvenile jail. This sentencing brought closure to a high-profile case that unfolded after social media unveiled the sexual assault of an underage and unconscious girl. When the story broke, the sexual assault was portrayed as a rape case with two assailants and one victim. However, the plot thickened as the question arose of whether the onlookers and media outlets were just as guilty of not protecting her identity and social well-being. Our paper fills an important gap in the literature with an exploration of privacy protections, user-generated content, and traditional and new media framing of rape. We offer best practices for providing balanced and ethical coverage of an underage rape case within the confines of new media technology.

Conference Guest Speaker - 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 15
Kayser Auditorium, Room 150, Hankamer School of Business

Friday night’s guest speaker will be Donna M. Johnson author of Holy Ghost Girl, a critically acclaimed memoir.

Saturday, Nov. 16

Session One: 9 to 10 a.m., Cashion 409
Moderator: Todd Giles
"The Rise of The Specter: The Beginnings of The Supernatural Ghost for Children."
Sean Ferrier-Watson, Professor of English, Collin College

While the ghost story has existed in both oral and literary traditions for millennia, the ghost story specifically designed and published for children has roughly a two-century run, with almost half that period in questionable status. Children’s authors and publishers were reluctant to write and publish supernatural ghost stories for children in the 18th and 19th centuries because they—publishers and authors alike—believed such fantastic and terrifying tales would corrupt the child and encourage a belief in superstition. Rather than telling genuine ghost stories, most children’s periodicals offered mock ghosts, which were always revealed as frauds and supported a rationalist thread, the 20th century ushered in a new beginning for the ghost story for children. The fears that ghost stories and supernatural tales corrupted and damaged young minds receded. Children’s literature began to gravitate more and more toward entertaining, rather than instructing the child. As such, the ghost story for children evolved to align itself with the more progressive trends of the 20th century and the changing landscape of the publishing industry.

“Social Entrepreneurship Business Models”
Meredith Millard, Baylor University, Master of International Journalism
Megan Grindstaff, Department of Journalism, PR & New Media

Social Entrepreneurship ventures have permeated American popular culture. These enterprises pursue social benefits or justices through the practical application of business methods. These altruistic businesses have struck a chord with Generations X & Y. The number of businesses using social entrepreneurship models has increased in number and popularity in the wake of the global financial crises that cut funding to traditional non-profit organizations. The two most popular business models are the “one for one” modeled by the successful TOMS shoes and the “local sustainability” exhibited by fellow footwear vendor, Sseko Designs. This presentation compares the merits and drawbacks of both models, along with other less well-known companies and models. The Social Entrepreneurship movement will be contextualized and the speakers will discuss the future implications on broader business practices as well as American and Global cultures.

Session Two: 10:15 to 11 a.m. – Cashion, Room 409
Moderator: Greg Giddings, Midwestern State University

“Accepting the Chaotic: A Search for Identity in Don DeLillo’s White Noise”
Ginger Bartush, Student at Midwestern State University

Don DeLillo portrays Jack Gladney, the narrator of his 1985 novel “White Noise,” as a victim of postmodern American culture. Jack’s search for identity navigates through the technological and materialist distractions of society until it leads him to a simple realization: he must accept that these externalities define his identity. Traits of the consumerism theme are found in the structure of the novel as DeLillo plays with the influence of media in relation to not just the content of the text, but its format as well. The three separate parts, “Waves and Radiation,” “The Airborne Toxic Event,” and “Dylarama,” act like episodes of standard television programs, creating a ‘Gladney’ series.

“’The Young Person’s Guide’ to Moonrise Kingdom: Wes Anderson’s Theme and Variations on a Theme and Variations of Benjamin Britten”
Cody Parish, Student at Midwestern State University

Wes Anderson’s “Moonrise Kingdom” (2012) is narratively framed around British composer Benjamin Britten’s “The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra,” in which listeners are introduced to the four families of instruments—woodwinds, brass, strings, and percussion—playing variations on an earlier theme by Henry Purcell. “Moonrise’s” theme, or recurring “melody,” like the four “families” of instruments “The Young Person’s Guide” breaks down and then reassembles, is seen in the four surrogate families the protagonist tries to establish throughout the film. What links these four families together is a series of “variations” in the form of an escape motif from one family to the next as each is subsequently introduced, played out, and brought together at the end, as is the case with Britten, in a full-ensemble fugue.

“Ishmael Reed’s Mumbo Jumbo: A Creation of a Time Pendulum”
Sarah Muschoil, Student at Midwestern State University

African American novelist Ishmael Reed uses pictures, poems, footnotes, historical evidence, and autobiography to explore our perpetual search for meaning in his 1972 neo-hoodoo detective novel “Mumbo Jumbo.” Through the creation of a time pendulum, Reed criticizes our fatal practice of repeating history, suggesting we lack the ability to learn from our mistakes. Opening in 1920s New Orleans and New York, the novel’s protagonist, PaPa LaBas, lays out the story of the historical journeys of black people marked by Anglo oppression, a war that has been fought for centuries. Half way through the novel, Reed jumps back to Pre-dynastic Egypt, telling the story of Throth and the brutal murder of King Osiris.

11:15 a.m. ASAT General Meeting & Passing of the Gavel to

Cassy Burleson, Ph.D., incoming ASAT President

ASAT 2013 Conference Committee

Chair

Doug Ferdon, Ph.D.

Graduate Assistant

Meredith Millard

Event Planning

Cassy Burleson, Ph.D.

Research Papers

Mia Moody-Ramirez, Ph.D.

2012-2013 ASAT President

Greg Giddings, Ph.D.

Midwestern State University

JASAT Editor

Sharon Bracken

Special thanks to the Baylor University Department of Journalism, PR & New Media

for assisting with this event.

Chair Sara Stone, Ph.D.
Margaret Kramer,

Jan Loosier
Marlene Neill, Ph.D.

2014 AEJMC MIDWINTER CONFERENCE - Minorities and Communication Division (MAC) Call for Papers

2013-10-14T19:55:00.000-05:00

AEJMC MIDWINTER CONFERENCE 2014

February 28 - March 1, 2014

Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication

University of Oklahoma

General Call for Paper Abstracts and Panel Proposals

The AEJMC Midwinter Conference is an annual forum for the presentation of research and debate in areas relevant to the 11 AEJMC groups (divisions, interest groups and commissions) sponsoring the event. The conference provides a platform for presentations and extended discussions in a relaxed setting.

The upcoming conference is scheduled for February 28-March 1, 2014 at the Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication (University of Oklahoma) in Norman, Oklahoma. Conference participants will be able to enjoy the College’s state-of-the-art teaching and research facilities, as well as many winter diversions outside the conference activities, including world-class museums and art galleries.

Paper abstract submissions: Authors are invited to submit research paper abstracts of between 600 and 800 words (word count excludes author information and references). Abstracts should give a clear sense of relevant literature, research objectives, methodological approach, stage of research project (conceptual, data gathering, data interpreting), findings and conclusions.

Submissions should be made by e-mail to the midwinter chair (from the list below) of the group authors wish to submit to. Note that authors can submit any specific paper abstract to only one participating group – submitting the same paper abstract to several groups will result in disqualification and withdrawal from the review process. Do not submit full papers.

Authors of accepted papers will be notified by mid-January 2014. Papers presented at the midwinter conference are also eligible for presentation at the AEJMC national convention in August. Authors are encouraged to use the midwinter conference as an opportunity to get feedback on their research to improve and finalize it for submission to the national conference.

Authors of accepted abstracts must submit complete papers (not exceeding 30 pages) to the discussant of their conference session at least two weeks before the midwinter conference. The midwinter chair for the relevant group will send authors the names and contact details of the discussant for their session.

At least one author of each accepted paper must register and attend the conference to present the paper. Failure to register by the deadline will result in authors’ names and papers being removed from the program. NO onsite registration will be available.

Panel submissions: In addition, the organizers are also inviting panel proposals. These proposals should be sent to the midwinter chair of the particular division or group they wish to present the panel to. Panel submissions should include the panel title, a description of the session’s focus, the issues to be discussed, and a list of panelists (potential and confirmed), including affiliation. Panel proposals should not exceed two double-spaced pages.

Submission format: All submissions (for paper abstracts and panels) should include the name(s) of the author(s) or panel organizer(s) on the title page only. The title page should also include the author or lead author’s (or organizer’s) mailing address, telephone number and e-mail address. The title should be on the first page of the text and on running heads on each page of text. Authors should e-mail their abstracts or proposals as attachments (saved with the author’s last name as file name) in a standard word-processing format (preferably Word or RTF) to the relevant midwinter chair. Authors must ensure that they remove any identifying information from their document (with the exception of the title page).

Deadline: All submissions should reach the appropriate group’s midwinter chair by noon, December 1, 2013.

The University of Oklahoma is located in Norman, 20 miles south of Oklahoma City, with easy access to the Will Rogers World Airport. Details on conference registration, hotel accommodation and airport transportation will be available at http://www.ou.edu/gaylord.

For more information, please contact Elanie Steyn, Conference Site Host (elanie@ou.edu).

AEJMC 2014 Midwinter Chairs by Division/Interest Group/Commission

Communication Technology Division

Porismita Borah, Washington State University (porismita@gmail.com)

Commission on the Status of Women

Jennifer Vardeman-Winter, University of Houston (jvardeman@uh.edu)

Cultural and Critical Studies Division

Katie Foss, Middle Tennessee State University (Katie.Foss@mtsu.edu)

Entertainment Studies Interest Group

Jason Zenor, Oswego State University of New York (Jason.zenor@oswego.edu)

International Communication Division

Jeannine Relly, University of Arizona (jrelly@email.arizona.edu)

Mass Communication & Society Division

Jennifer Kowalewski, Georgia Southern University (jkowalewski@georgiasouthern.edu)

Media Management and Economics Division

Bozena Mierzejewska, University of St. Gallen (bozena.Mierzejewska@unisg.ch)

Minorities and Communication Division

Mia Moody, Baylor University (Mia_moody@baylor.edu)

Participatory Journalism Interest Group (PJIG)

Liz Viall, Eastern Illinois University (ekviall@eiu.edu)

Religion and Media Interest Group

Maccama Ikpah, Rowen University (ikpah@rowan.edu)

Visual Communication Division

Bob Britten, West Virginia University (bob.britten@mail.wvu.edu)

Two Thumbs Up for The Butler

2013-09-02T12:12:00.002-05:00

: English: American Actor Forest Whitaker (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Spoiler Alert: If you haven't seen the movie, you may not want to read this post.

I saw "The Butler" last night and loved it! The writing, directing, makeup and acting were stellar.

The movie explores the real life of Eugene Allen an African-American man who served as a butler in the White House for 34 years during the terms of eight presidents. The historical drama, written by Danny Strong and directed by Lee Daniels, offers viewers a better understanding of the civil rights movement, the Vietnam War and other major events in U.S. history. It features an all star cast, including Oprah Winfrey, Forest Whitaker, Terrance Howard, John Cusack, Alan Rickman and Jane Fonda, which you might not recognize because of a fabulous makeup job.

I enjoyed the movie's exploration of relationships and human emotions.

Cecil and his son, Louis, who did not have a strong bond during his childhood because of his father's work ethic, became estranged after Louis dropped out of college to help with the civil right's movement. At the end of the movie, Cecil reads a book about the Freedom Riders and realizes that his son's actions were heroic rather than radical. He joins Louis in a protest against South African apartheid and is thrown in jail with him. Both father and son, who spent many decades being ashamed of one another's chosen occupations, earned one another's respect by the end of the movie.

The Butler has some strong, positive portrayals of black male and female relationships. Cecil's colleagues are depicted as having realistic marriages built on mutual love and respect. Cecil and his wife, Gloria, remain steadfast in their commitment to one another although they experience some turbulence fueled by alcoholism and jealousy along the way. By the end of the movie, the two share a loving relationship in which they grow old together.

The movie ends with Cecil meeting President Obama in the White House right after his election. I don't think there was a dry eye in the theater. Although Gloria died right before the election of the first African-American U.S. President, she was able to help with his presidential campaign and experience the possibility of him winning the race.

As with any movie, the screenwriter used creative liberty to make it more interesting and palatable to audiences. Most notably, Eugene Allen only had one son. He did not break into a pastry shop as depicted at the beginning of the movie. His wife was not an alcoholic, and she did not have an affair in real life. The portrayals of former president Ronald Reagan have also been panned by movie critics.

Even with these misrepresentations and some of the violent content in the movie, I highly recommend "The Butler" for people of all ages and races. It is a wonderful history lesson that is sure to capture any viewer's attention. It is also a great lesson on life and the importance of forgiving one another and persevering against the odds. I plan to see the movie again with my children.

'Lee Daniels' The Butler,' movie review (nydailynews.com)
Movie Theaters Refuse to Show Jane Fonda's 'The Butler' (investorplace.com)
'Lee Daniels' The Butler' gets a lot of Oscar buzz and controversy (Video) (examiner.com)
First Look at Jane Fonda as Nancy Reagan in 'Lee Daniels' The Butler' (VIDEO) (news.moviefone.com)
Are You Sitting Down?; Sit Down Entertainment Launches Interactive Screenwriter Website (prweb.com)
Film Review - Lee Daniels' The Butler (klinereviews.wordpress.com)
Julie's Review Room: 'Lee Daniels' The Butler' (kvil.cbslocal.com)
'Butler' Banned Over Fonda (foxnews.com)

Ethnic/Racial Minorities’ Participation in AEJMC: How Much and What Type of Progress?

2013-08-25T22:11:00.002-05:00

Thrilled to see this article in print: "Ethnic/Racial Minorities’ Participation in AEJMC: How Much and What Type of Progress?" Co-authored by Federico Subervi, and Hayg Oshagan, the article was published in the September issue of JMC Educator.

The article provides an assessment of the diversity of the leadership positions of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC) from 2007 to 2011. While numerous studies have analyzed AEJMC’s membership demographics, gender, and scholarship production, there have been few investigations regarding people of color in leadership positions.

Findings indicate little progress for people of color has been made in the past five years. Ideally, the educational institutions and academic organizations most responsible for preparing the next generation of media scholars as well as the professionals who produce the content and manage the media catering to the changing population patterns would be at the forefront of diversity in their own leadership. This is especially so for academic organizations, which through journal publications, conference presentations, and various awards, can often have a direct influence on the research emphases and curricular direction of programs nationally.

Journalism & Mass Communication Educator addresses the professional needs of the journalism and mass communication educator and administrator on both secondary and collegiate levels. Articles on teaching techniques, new courses and technology help promote excellence in the classroom. Statistical information on student enrollments and career interests, trends in curriculum design, surveys and opinion polls are featured. Refereed. Journalism & Mass Communication Educator is published four times a year.

To view the article, click this link:http://jmc.sagepub.com/content/68/3/269.abstract/.

Augie's DIY Backsplash Project

2013-08-21T21:33:00.001-05:00

Augie is wrapping up our DIY kitchen remodeling project. The backsplash was one of the final projects.

We purchased the slate for the backsplash at Home Depot.

The black splash before

The backsplash after

We are very pleased with the results.

For instructions on how to put up backsplash tiles visit this link:

http://www.ehow.com/how_4875404_put-up-tile-backsplash.html

AEJMC 2013

2013-08-14T10:54:00.003-05:00

I was presented a certificate by the Commission on the Status of Women
for completing the group's Mentoring Program.

I enjoyed a very busy and productive 2013 Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC) Conference. The annual conference, held in Washington D.C., provided a great opportunity to catch up with acquaintances and to learn about industry trends.

I was appointed by incoming AEJMC President Paula Poindexter to serve as a member of the Strategic Plan Implementation Committee. I was also elected the Midwinter Chair for the Minorities and Communication Division.

I am excited about the installation of Dr. Paula Poindexter as President of AEJMC. I attended her reception for graduate students, alums, faculty and friends on Aug. 10 at the National Press Club.

Photos are below:

Sunlight Wins AEJMC Journalism Award (sunlightfoundation.com)
Ed Alwood Wins Top Faculty Paper Award (glbtaejmc.wordpress.com)
Radical reform? Old-fashioned name? AEJMC and journalism education (nextlevelofnews.com)
Adam Sharples Wins Top Student Paper Award (glbtaejmc.wordpress.com)

UT Family, Friends Toast New AEJMC President Paula Poindexter

2013-08-10T21:21:00.001-05:00

Glenn Frankel and Dr. Paula Poindexter

Graduate students, alums, faculty and friends celebrated Dr. Paula Poindexter's installation as President of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC) on Aug. 10 at the National Press Club in Washington D.C. during the 2013 AEJMC conference.

Poindexter discussed her vision for her term in office, which includes three new initiatives. She also highlighted the McCombs Graduate Student Research Publishing Award and recognized students and colleagues.

 "I look forward to continuing the great efforts that are already in place and introducing some of my own signature programs," she said.

The University of Texas-Austin School of Journalism, where Poindexter is an associate professor, sponsored the reception. Glenn Frankel, who serves as the department's director, praised Poindexter for her mentoring abilities, and stated she is an inspiration to both students and faculty.

"She has even been my mentor at times," Frankel said.

Students reflected on Poindexter's high expectations for herself and her students. Kathleen McElroy, a UT doctoral candidate, said Poindexter has the distinct ability to mold students and to motivate them to excel. Many of her former students and mentees are successful professors, award-winning scholars and/or authors.

"She really makes you strive to do your best," said McElroy who published three articles last year. "She sets the bar high, and she doesn't settle for less."

AEJMC is a nonprofit, educational association of journalism and mass communication educators, students and media professionals.

Poindexter has been active in AEJMC for several decades. She was awarded the Inaugural Lionel C. Barrow Jr. Award for Distinguished Achievement in Diversity Research and Education. She also received a First Place Award in the Excellence in Teaching Paper Competition, sponsored by AEJMC’s Teaching Standards Committee. She has served on various committees while participating in the organization.

Poindexter will pursue the following three initiatives during her tenure as president:

1. Journalism and Communication Graduate Student Info Expo. This pilot initiative for graduate student recruitment connects journalism and communication graduate programs with prospective graduate students.   

2. International regional conference pilot to be held in Santiago, Chile. After leading a delegation to Santiago in March, the AEJMC Board of Directors approved Poindexter's request to hold a pilot international regional conference in Santiago in October 2015. After AEJMC establishes its presence on the international regional conference stage, Poindexter's goal is to have AEJMC international regional conferences in Asia, Europe, Africa, etc.   

3. Future News Audience Initiative to Encourage News Engagement. This initiative will include a national campaign and event to raise awareness about the importance of being informed, the future of the news media, the future of journalism education, the future of an informed democratic society, and the mission of AEJMC.

Poindexter said she believes this initiative is very important in light of data from her National Survey of News Engagement highlighted in her book, Millennials, News, and Social Media: Is News Engagement a Thing of the Past? (Peter Lang). The book helps readers understand the generation that came of age as the importance of news waned and social media emerged

The reception was well attended and a great way to kick off Poindexter's presidency. Below are photos that captured some key moments.

Zimmerman Acquittal: Where do we go from here?

2013-07-15T14:30:00.004-05:00

"If you prick us do we not bleed? If you tickle us do we not laugh? If you poison us do we not die? And if you wrong us shall we not revenge?" --William Shakespeare

As the mother of two sons, I was dumbfounded when I heard the news of Zimmerman's acquittal. I was even more dismayed when I read Facebook comments from my friends who said they would enjoy killing young, black men who rioted in response to the shocking verdict. Have we lost our way in America?

I learned of the Zimmerman verdict while attending the 28th Biennial Jack & Jill Inc. Mother's Conference in Arlington, Texas. There was not a dry eye in the room of 200 African-American mothers. Every attendee sympathized with the Trayvon Martin family. Like many of us, his mother is a teacher. His older brother is a successful college student.

I was speechless and heartbroken.

My speechlessness and sadness changed to anger after I began reading comments on Facebook. I could not believe people supported and applauded George Zimmerman's actions. Zimmerman definitely made a mistake -- one that should not be repeated or celebrated! It is neither cute nor funny to joke about killing innocent children!

What is wrong with society?

Do people believe that black families do not value their sons? The Martin family is very much like many families in America. They are not drug dealers, criminals or outcasts. If it happened to Tryavon, It could happen to any young man.

Americans must realize that black people value their children just as much as any other race. Yes, like all cultures, the black community has its share of poverty, violence, and other problems, but that does not change the way African Americans feel about their children.

President Barack Obama has encouraged calmness and peace during this time of pain for the black community. I also advocate peace and nonviolence. However, I think we need to be proactive in the rearing of our children -- particularly our black males.

Where do we go from here?

I wrote this entry in response to my 10-year-old son's request for me to write something about Zimmerman's acquittal in remembrance of Trayvon Martin. During most of our two-hour car ride home from Arlington, my sons, who are aged 8 and 10, discussed Trayvon Martin and the Zimmerman trial (even when I tried to change the subject).

We must teach our children how to empathize with people of all races.

They searched for guidance and reassurance that they will not be shot and killed while walking home. I could offer them guidance, but I could not reassure them that something similar will not happen to them.

We must arm our children at an early age for these sad realities that they will face as African Americans:

Although we have a black president, America is still not colorblind. We are not living in a post-racial society.
Dr. Martin Luther King's dream has not been realized! Black people are judged based on the color of their skin and not the content of their character. This is sad but true.
Discrimination based on attire will always exist. Hoodies, tattoos, bandannas and baggy jeans are a no-no. We cannot change this fact, so wear them at your own risk!!!!
Racial profiling is alive and well. Blacks are more likely to be pulled over by police officers for no other reason than their skin color. Be aware, be prepared and be respectful when it happens.

In addition to the basic facts of life, they must know these truths in order to prepare themselves for life as a an adult black male in the United States of America!

Dr. King's dream has not been realized.

Journalist Martin Bashir offers his take on Zimmerman's acquittal.

dear black men (nowforawordortwo.wordpress.com)
COMMENTARY: Zimmerman Acquittal Says It's Open Season on Black Males (blackamericaweb.com)
Leonard Pitts: Zimmerman verdict leaves key question unanswered (miamiherald.com)
Opinion: Trayvon could have been my son (cnn.com)
Protesters rally across US after Zimmerman acquitted of Trayvon Martin murder (telegraph.co.uk)
Obama urges calm after Zimmerman verdict (bigpondnews.com)
George Zimmerman cleared in shooting of Trayvon Martin - Newsday (newsday.com)
Trayvon Martin Cannot Be Dismissed (jacobcates.com)
Obama Calls For 'Calm Reflection' Amid Protests Against Zimmerman Acquittal (hngn.com)
Justice For Trayvon Rally Draws Tears, Poems and Hope (Photos + Video) (oldschool1053.com)Trayvon Martin Cannot Be Dismissed (jacobcates.com)

Obama Calls For 'Calm Reflection' Amid Protests Against Zimmerman Acquittal (hngn.com)
Justice For Trayvon Rally Draws Tears, Poems and Hope (Photos + Video) (oldschool1053.com)

Waco Cultural Arts 2013 Mural Dedication Block Party

2013-06-30T00:05:00.000-05:00

I was able to contribute to the project by working on the program with Gale Edwards and Doreen Ravenscroft.

Tim, Bill and I helped Augie in the deejay booth.

The 2013 Waco Cultural Arts Mural Dedication Block Party, held on June 29, was a roaring success with more than 350 people in attendance for the three-hour come-and-go event. The block party featured free food, activities, music, dancing and fun for attendees of all ages.

 "We were very pleased with the turn out," said Gale Edwards, of NeighborWorks Waco. "Community participation in the project was outstanding."

The community-based project offered residents direct hands-on experience in the research, design, and execution of a major public artwork in their community. Nationally recognized muralist Dave Loewenstein of Lawrence, Kan., guided the Community Mural Project. Loewenstein is a prize-winning muralist, writer and print maker.

Mural assistant was Kansas artist Ashley Laird. Austin artist Catherine Hart served as mural apprentice. Hart has worked on the creation and implementation of large-scale paintings, and teaching community art classes.

Mistress of ceremonies was Ramona Curtis, President of Delta Sigma Theta and Baylor University’s Community Engagement Service Director. Speakers included President of Mid-America Arts Alliance Doreen Ravenscroft, Waco Mayor Malcolm Duncan, Neighborworks Waco Director Roy Nash, the Rev. Willie Stanley, Waco Councilman Wilbert Austin and Waco Chamber Senior V.P. Ken Hampton. 

Entertainment included the FAM Gospel Rappers, a poetic interpretation by Curtis and Connie Sadler and an unveiling presentation by Ravenscroft and Edwards.

Mural Project Sponsors were Mid-America Arts Alliance, Cultural Arts of Waco, NeighborWorks Waco and the City of Waco. Block Party Sponsors were Mid-America Arts Alliance, Cultural Arts of Waco, NeighborWorks Waco, the City of Waco, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.; Marriott Residence Inn, Baylor University’s Community Engagement & Service, Ahern Rentals, H-E-B, Anchor News, Waco Convention Center, The East Waco Branch Library, Marilyn’s Gift Gallery and DJ Augustine Ramirez.

Speakers included President of Mid-America Arts Alliance Doreen Ravenscroft, Waco Mayor Malcolm Duncan, Neighborworks Waco Director Roy Nash, the Rev. Willie Stanley, Waco Councilman Wilbert Austin and Waco Chamber Senior V.P. Ken Hampton. 

Other photo highlights are below:

Activities included face painting

Waco resident Beaulah Barksdale stands in front of the Paul Quinn section, which includes the painting of her shown below.

The mural reflects the diversity of Waco, Texas.

Families enjoyed the great event.

Block Party Sponsors also included Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.; Marriott Residence Inn, Baylor University’s Community Engagement & Service, Ahern Rentals, H-E-B, Anchor News, Waco Convention Center, The East Waco Branch Library, Marilyn’s Gift Gallery and DJ Augustine Ramirez.

My family had a great time at the event!

My First Solo DeeJaying Gig

2013-06-06T11:24:00.000-05:00

I enjoyed deejaying without Augie for the first time Wednesday. While Augie was as work, I spun tunes for sixth-graders at Woodgate Elementary.

We all had a blast at the end-of-the year dance sponsored by the school's PTA. Students, parents and teachers enjoyed dancing to the latest Top 40 music. About 500 people filled the gymnasium.

With help from Timmy, we managed to keep everyone happy. I think they enjoyed the line dances the most. Below are photos from the event:

Ava's Super Short Summer Internship

2013-06-06T10:41:00.002-05:00

I am enjoying working with my niece, Ava, during her super short summer internship. Ava hails from Nashville, Tenn. She is a poet and a wonderful writer who hopes to become a screenwriter or public relations professional one day.

During her three weeks here, she is working on a blog about her internship and creating a social media presence for her future nonprofit agency to help bring happiness to low-income children. Ava is also helping me create Facebook and Twitter pages for blogs that focus on Crohns Disease and critical issues facing women and people of color.

I'm hoping to set up several interviews/visits with professors and other professionals in noteworthy fields.

Below are photos from her internship so far:

Ava and I at the airport

Ava, Augie, Tim and Bill at the airport

Ava, Tim and Bill on the way home

Ava and Heidi practice Spanish while eating lunch

Ava attends Bill's awards ceremony.

Ava at Bush's Chicken

Ava's profile pose

Augie's Pendant Light Project

2013-05-30T19:25:00.001-05:00

Augie's latest kitchen remodeling project was the installation of two pendant lights above the center island. Pendant lights add a modern look and ambiance to kitchens. This project took about two hours and was fairly easy to complete, according to Augie who followed these steps.

1. Mark the ceiling where you plan to locate the lights.

2. Flip the breaker.
3. Drill a hole in the ceiling where the center of the pendant light plate will be located.
4. Mount the pendant bracket on the ceiling.
5. Run the wire to the light in the center hole of the plate.
6. Tighten the screws on the plate, placing the wire to the desired length.
7. Wire the pendant light with romex electrical cable.
8. Connect the romex cable to a light switch.
9. Turn on the breaker.

Augie opens the pendant light kit

Wire for the pendant light

Tools needed: drill, volt tester, volt meter, wire cutters, pencil and romex cable.

The ceiling before the second pendant light was added.

Augie placing the second pendant light on the ceiling

The finished product!

Bill Duke's Dark Girls

2013-05-08T21:34:00.002-05:00

http://darkgirls.net
Bill Duke’s ‘Dark Girls’ Headed to theaters in June

By Mia Moody-Ramirez, Editor

Colorism Explained

Bill Duke's controversial documentary, Dark Girls, explores the colorism faced by dark-skinned black women. The documentary, which debuts in June, is controversial because some people believe it airs the dirty laundry of African Americans. Others believe the documentary spotlights a minor problem in the Black community and blows it out of proportion.

In a 2012 article published in The Root DC, Duke commented that he created the film “to create a discussion, because in discussion there’s healing, and in silence there is suffering.”

Colorism is no doubt a sore spot among many African Americans. It describes the perception that society gives individuals with lighter skin advantages over those with darker skin and the idea that dark-skinned black women are not attractive. Kudos to Duke for exploring this taboo topic!

Among African-Americans, colorism is experienced in varying degrees. Most African-American families have family members of all shades, which fosters the appreciation for differences and decreases the prevalence of colorism. In my own family, my siblings are all beautiful shades of mahogany. I learned at an early age that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and beautiful people come in all hues.

Colorism is illustrated in pop culture images of women. For instance, Shaviro (2005) found female beauty in rap videos is often portrayed as coming as close to whiteness as possible, without actually being white.

Hip hop videos today tend to value the same near-anorexic slimness as mainstream white culture does—together with light skin and long, straight (fake as well as processed) hair. Most recently, there has also been a tendency to focus on women who are “multi-racial,” i.e. black and Asian (p. 69).

Colorism in Pop Culture

Zhang, Dixon and Conrad (2010) found an overrepresentation of thin-bodied black and white women in the videos, especially in high-sex or materialistic videos. Shaviro, 2005 stated:

Worth noting is many rap artists do not practice what they preach. Whereas they practice colorism on the screen, when it comes to relationships, they often remain true to their black female counterparts. Therefore, the argument may be made that rap artists and video producers are only trying to appeal to their audiences. In other words, they are giving people what they want. However, colorism is most prevalent in black male-female relationships both on and off the screen.

(Mis)perceptions/stereotypes that black women frequently encounter include:
1) Dark-skinned black women are unattractive
2) Dark-skinned black women as a whole are angry
3) Dark-skinned black women are less desirable than women of other races
Solutions?

To help counteract these misperceptions, parents must teach their children to appreciate beauty of all skin tones and that beautiful people come in all shades.

Gone are the days when the brown paper bag test foolishly served as a measure of beauty and worth. For instance, when watching TV shows etc., parents may point out that attractive women come in all skin tones. More importantly, parents should emphasize that characteristics such as dependability, compatibility, intelligence, are much more important predictors of a person's character than his or her skin tone.

Dark Girls will serve as an impetus for healthy conversations about the evils of colorism as well as some other much needed conversations. Fostering healthy discussions is, after all, one of Duke's purposes for the film. "Somehow if you can speak it and get it out, healing starts" (The Root DC, 2012).

It is hoped that as America becomes more multicultural,
colorism will become a thing of the past.

We must teach our children how to appreciate beauty in all skin tones.

Apps to track volunteer hours

2013-05-07T23:37:00.000-05:00

Tracking volunteer hours is one problem that members of several organizations that I am in have. In order to make the task easier, I suggest the two iPhone apps below. The first one allows individuals and the chapter to track hours and to earn prizes by participating in a national contest. The second one allows users to track hours and email them to a program administrator. I recommend using both apps. I have provided descriptions below:

App 1: Reward Volunteers (http://www.rewardvolunteers.coop/faq.php)

Reward Volunteers is a free, easy way to track the time individuals and organizations spend volunteering in the community — and to earn rewards for contributions.

Individuals and organizations may use the Reward Volunteers iPhone app or Web widget to log volunteer activity and to get friends involved by sharing on Facebook or via email. Users can also take pictures using the iPhone app and share them on Facebook.

Users earn points by sharing their activity on Facebook or via email. The more "likes" and comments posts receive, and the more emails from friends, the more points individuals and organizations earn. The more hours a person logs at the organization of their choice, the more opportunities for them and the organizations they serve to win cash and prizes.

The iPhone and web app, created by Chalo Inc. in partnership with the Cabot Creamery Cooperative, uses Facebook Connect to help volunteers track their hours, share photos and post activity to Facebook (http://mashable.com/2012/03/30/reward-volunteers/).

An example of how the app may be embedded on a website is show here: http://hewitttx.wix.com/wacolinks2#!photo-gallery.

App 2: Volunteerica (https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/volunteerica/id532676565?mt=8)

With Volunteerica, volunteers record their hours worked, what they did, and any donations collected. When they're done, they may email the report to their coordinator as a spreadsheet.

This simple app makes it easier for volunteers to track and submit their data, which increases participation and accuracy. The data is delivered to the coordinator in a standard, .csv format, which is easily read by any spreadsheet program.

(Note: users can only record service time in hour increments, so they will need to round up or down).

Discussing mate selection with children

2013-05-06T15:51:00.002-05:00

My sons are 8 and 10. I know it is a little early, but my husband and I are already talking to them about how to choose a mate.

Because they are African American, I encourage them to appreciate beauty in all shades. When watching TV shows etc., I point out attractive women of all types.

I think it is also important to encourage children to focus on compatibility, physical fitness and personality, which are more important factors to consider. In other words, comment on more than just looks. Emphasize intelligence, dependability, etc.

According to Michael Matthews, there are five distinct phases of mate selection: physical attraction, infatuation, dating and show of commitment. Matthews states that what furthers a couple from one phase to the next is based on their attraction to and compatibility with each other on many different levels.

I would like to hear from other parents how they handle this topic.

A Visit to the Mayborn Museum

2013-05-05T22:54:00.001-05:00

The family and I enjoyed looking at the permanent exhibits at the Mayborn Museum. The Waco at the Crossroads of Texas exhibit offers a look at Texas history. The exhibit includes a Waco Indian grass hut, a Norwegian rock house, a Comanche tipi, and an early log cabin.

The boys also enjoyed Strecker's Cabinets of Curiosities. In this exhibit, many of the beloved artifacts from the Strecker Museum's collections, such as the tree cross-section and the humpback whale skull, are on display. According to the museum’s website, the room is patterned after the style of early natural history museums. At that time, museum items were presented purely for visual entertainment and shock value and were not labeled.

For more information on the museum, visit this link: http://www.baylor.edu/mayborn/index.php?id=15536.

Two thumbs up!

Feeding an ostrich

We really enjoyed the themed Discovery Rooms, which had many hands-on,

interactive learning activities.

We spend the most time in the communications room. Tim and Bill really enjoyed typing on the old typewriters!

Augie's Kitchen Counter Remodeling Project

2013-05-05T22:20:00.001-05:00

We are in the process of remodeling our kitchen. The countertops were the first step.

Augie recently removed our old countertops, and we had them replaced with granite ones, something I have wanted for a long time. :-).

The process was not as difficult as it looks. He followed these easy steps.

First, he removed the drawers, appliances and other items from the countertops. Then, he disconnected and removed the sink plumbing and cooktop stove, turned off the electrical supply.

Finally, he loosened the countertop adhesive with a utility knife and used a pry bar to lift off the old countertops. He removed the small nails that were used to hold the old countertops in place.

The process took about two hours. Timothy helped him.

See the photos below.

These are our new countertops. We will get a new backsplash at a later date.

BEFORE

AFTER

This is Augie caulking the new countertops.

Our kitchen remodeling project is coming along nicely.