Minority Challenges

4.What other challenges do you feel exist for minority groups?   What do you propose should be done?

I feel that challenges exist mostly in education and employment for minorities. Unfortunately, prejudice is something that will always exist in the hearts of people, but things must be done to counteract the effects of prejudice. Women, for example, should make as much money as a man makes for the same labor. Education should be promoted throughout minorities. Things like Alcohol addictions, drug addictions, sanitation problems, adult and child obesity, diabetes, and teenage pregnancies that are more prevalent in minorities can be counteracted through education. And this is why I support affirmative action. I believe that the more educated the population gets, the better off the entire country will be.

Struggles and challenges faced by Minorities

3.Describe the struggles and challenges different minority groups have had to undergo in order to gain equal rights.

African Americans:

African Americans started out as slaves in the U.S. Eventually after the Civil War they gained their freedom, but then had to face segregation. They were not allowed to mix with whites and were often given less than equal facilites. Through peaceful protest by leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks, African Amercians were able to win equal rights. Though they have come a long way, there is still some prejudice against them.

Women:

Women, at the time when America was founded, were seen as physically and intellectually inferior to men. They were expected to stay home and take care of the children. Eventually, women began establishing themselves as equals through major events throughout history. They include The Seneca Falls Convention, increased women employment during the world wars, and the Suffrage Movement. Though they have also come a long way, they are still not equal to men especially when it comes to income gaps.

Evolution of Rights, Responsibilities, and Benefits

2. How have these evolved over time? For instance, what rights do we have now that was non-existent previously?

Since the constitution and constitutional amendments were put into place when the U.S. was founded, citizens have had all the right they have now.However, many of the rights we practice under may not have been existent in the past. This is because of constitutional interpretation. As the country grows and diversifies, many aspects of its constitution are challenged and broadened in court. Citizens today view freedom of speech in a totally different light than citizens 75 years ago, for example. As the country grows and advances we will continue to explore the rights given to us by our founding fathers.

Rights, Responsibilities, and benefits of citizenship in the U.S.

1.  In your opinion, what are rights, responsibilities, and benefits of citizenship in the U.S other than voting, jury duty, obedience to lawful authority, and private ownership of property?

Rights:
Citizens in the united states have many rights given to them in the constitution and constitutional amendments. They include:

• Freedom of speech
• Travel with a U.S. passport
• Run for federal office
• Become eligible for federal grants and scholarship
• Freedom of religion
• Right to National Security
• Eligible to work in all areas
• Protection of federal, state and local laws
• Personal privacy

Responsibilities:

As a citizen you are legally and morally obliged to serve your country as best you can. Here are some examples:

• Support and defend the Constitution
• Serve the country when required
• Participate in the democratic process
• Respect the rights, beliefs, and opinions of others
• Participate in the local community

Benefits:
As a citizen of The United States there are many perks and benefits. They include:

• U.S. citizens are able to sponsor immediate relatives (spouses, unmarried minor children and parents) for Legal Permanent Resident (LPR) status without a long wait for a visa to become available. The may also sponsor these other relatives, subject to visa availability
• Possession of a United States passport.
• Ability to travel, and even live, abroad without fear of jeopardizing citizen status.
• Citizens may not be removed, or deported, from the United States. They are also able to re-enter the United States easily without being required to establish admissibility each time.
• Ability to vote and fully participate in the U.S. electoral process.
• Only U.S. citizens are able to hold elected public office.
• Eligibility for many government-related jobs is restricted to citizens only.
• Eligibility for public benefits from which non-citizens may be excluded.
• Entitlement to substantial deductions on U.S. estate tax. 
• Citizens are always eligible for Social Security and Medicare benefits, which many non-citizens may not be.
• Protection under the law and constitution 

Letter to the editor

Dear Mr. Editor:

I am writing on behalf of the Islamic Society of Norman, a unique, tight-knit community of Muslims with diverse backgrounds from all over the world. As you may know, we have recently begun rebuilding our mosque, which is located on Lindsey Street. We began construction in January of this year and have continued through the fall and summer. It is a big step for us, as the previous mosque, which had been standing for over seventeen years, was inadequate to serve our community’s needs. The project, which began early this year, is estimated to be finished by the beginning of 2012.

Our mosque, known as Masjid An-Nur, was the first founded in the state of Oklahoma and was originally made of two remodeled homes from the 1950s. The first house was purchased in 1976 when Masjid An-Nur was first founded. The mosque not only caters to the Muslim students at the University of Oklahoma but the Muslim community of Norman as a whole. We are the only existing mosque in the city of Norman.

I would like to recognize the Norman community in their support of our mosque. The positive feedback we have been getting is simply overwhelming. So many people have approached me or written in to us after expressing their excitement about our mosque. We are extremely pleased, to say the least. As a member of the Norman community for my entire life, it was a wonderful thing to see my fellow citizens giving us such a positive response. Needless to say, we are very thankful of the community and its support. Hopefully, once the mosque has been completed, we will be able to open our doors to the public

Thanks,

Uzma Sandhu

Animal Shelter Issue in Norman

Residents in Norman OK in Cleveland county went to the polls Nov. 8th and approved a

five-year, $3 million general obligation bond issue to fund a new animal welfare shelter. Since voters approved the shelter, the cost will be added to their property taxes.The $3,035,000 will be paid back by increased property taxes over the next five years. A citizen survey in 2009 saw overwhelming support for renovation and expansion of the shelter. It is needed and will cost owners of $100,000-market-value properties less than $1 per month for the next five years

If you click here you can see the brochure made by the city of Norman for the project.

For:

• The shelter is in disrepair and needs upgrading urgently
• There are unsanitary conditions making it hard for the animals
• Many animals have been euthanized due to lack of space and resources

Against:

• Tax raises

Here is an example of a letter to the editor sent to the Norman Transcript:

NORMAN — Editor, The Transcript:


I would like to write about the upcoming vote on Norman’s new animal shelter. First off, I am all for it. I completely understand the additional burden this may place on property owners in Cleveland County. I also understand that a new animal shelter may not solve the root of the problem regarding housing needs for abandoned pets. 


I believe we have no other choice but to approve of the new facility. I also believe steps should be taken to try and help with determining qualified pet owners. I believe, first off, penalties should be harsher toward people who want to abuse and neglect their pets. In turn, hopefully, this will alleviate their desires to obtain one.


I read an article recently that stated that the new animal shelter and increase in tax dollars in The Norman Transcript would not solve the problem. I agree but also understand that raising taxes rarely ever solves any issue. I don’t believe it is even meant to entirely solve the issue but, more importantly, to address a need in the Norman community. Yes. Unfortunately, a new animal shelter is needed and I am all for providing pets a better facility while waiting for a second chance at life.


This is an excellent example of a letter to the editor. The writer saw something he didn't like and sent his argument with excellent support to the newspaper, and got it published.


Media and interest groups dedicated to this issue:


The Norman Transcript Articles-

 

Vote yes on Tuesday for new animal shelter

The Oklahoman articles-

Animal Shelter vote coming to Norman 


Facebook-


Urgent Action Needed for the Norman Animal Shelter


Other Letters to the editor/Opinion-

Only property owners have to pay toward new animal shelter

Say yes to new animal shelter

City needs new animal shelter

 

The shelter bond measure was passed on Nov. 8th with 75.85% of the vote! 

Total Votes:
For the proposition-yes   6982
Against the proposition-no  2223

The involvement of media, interest groups, citizens and politicians played a huge role in the
passage of the measure. There was only one negative article out of the many I found about the shelter. The Norman Transcript also published very emotional letters to the editor written by employees and long time volunteers of the shelter. This not only influenced the vote tremendously, but also showed the huge impact a letter to an editor can make as well as the beuty of free speech in this country. The facebook page was a huge success as well. It has 303 likes and over 100 people talking about it. As a citizen living in Norman, I saw a lot of signs and banners urging poeple to vote yes for the shelter posted by the new shelter NOW campaign. These no doubt influenced voters as well as generated voter interest. Lastly, the work of Council members Tom Kovach and Hal Ezzell on pushing the shelter bond measure through City Council  played a huge part in the measure.

  

Responsibilities and Issues falling under the scope of city and county Govt.

County:

County government exists to serve its citizens by providing services that they need. Here are some of the county government functions and examples of the services offered to fill these needs.

Protect the health and safety of it's citizens

• Sheriffs dept., fire department, 911, snow removal, maintaining roads, keeping water clean, sewer systems, Sanitation dept., Food inspection, Animal Control.

Providing and maintaining public services through the collection of taxes.

• Parks, libraries, public records of marriages, housing deeds, Board of Elections, Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission

Providing a system of justice.

• Local courts, Public Defender, Prosecuting Attorney.

Protecting the rights of individuals

• Zoning, Children Services, Human Services, Office of Aging, Child Support Enforcement, Veterans Service Commission.

Promoting the common welfare of the people.

• Public parking, sponsoring day care facilities,  Economic development, job training and educational services, Mental Retardation and Development Disabilities, welfare, Entertainment (stadium etc.) , Convention centers, Veterans Memorial, County Fair, Human Services.

City:

A city government provides political direction and exercises control over the organization of a city. City governments make local laws and may supply emergency service

Function

• city government's mission is to use financial and human resources to provide services and ensure civil order for residents.

Structure

• City governments fulfill their duties through various structures. A mayor, city council, commission and city manager are common components.

Meetings

• Municipal governments, by law, must meet regularly in public. Citizens may attend these meetings and offer opinions or raise concerns about proposals, local services and violations of ordinances. This feedback helps the local government body make decisions.

Services

• Types of services provided by local governments include garbage disposal and utilities such as water and electricity. City governments maintain public areas, such as roads and parks, and may contract police and firefighting services as well.