Maple Valley Library Liberation

 Yesterday I experienced something beautiful that I would like to share with you. I was sitting in the Maple Valley branch of the Akron Summit County Public Library, when a couple of school administrators, library staff and security explained the library’s new policies for it’s young visitors. This came in response to the behavior of a few of the young people who visit the library. While most of the library’s visiting young people are manner-able, there are a few who have failed miserably in demonstrating what it means to be a mature young-adults. These changes are meant to restore a sense of order and decorum in our public library.
 Maple Valley had become a meeting-place for the neighborhoods young people when the school day ended. What should have been a valued and rewarding experience for the young people during their time spent in the library had devolved into an apparent contest by many of the youngsters to demonstrate who could be the rudest, most disruptive, and all-around annoying person in the library. Things had gotten so bad that it was not uncommon to see the police arriving after being called by library security. What has changed is that Maple Valley will no longer be a place for youngsters to ‘hang-out’ with their friends.
  The young people have to be engaged in activities which utilizes the libraries facilities in a considerate and mannerly fashion. If the young people are not engaged in one of the library’s many programs or activities, using computers, waiting for a computer reservation, reading a book or some other reading material, they will have to leave; no loitering. I was stunned by the announcement, but overjoyed! Some in attendance remarked that a few had ruined things for all the rest. I disagree; nothing is ruined. Anyone with a library card who wants or needs to utilize the library’s facilities can do so, they simply have to follow the rules.
The library was never mean’t to be a play-ground, comedy jam, rodeo, reality show, or circus; and yet it seems that those were just a few of the things the youngsters were trying to turn the library into. As I stated earlier, I was overjoyed by the new policy because I love the library. I don’t have internet service at home and until a couple of years ago I did’t have a computer. I still was able to create and maintain three websites,

https://sites.google.com/site/educationandsocialequity/
https://sites.google.com/site/jazzaszealouszen/
https://sites.google.com/site/wheresheavensite/

completed an associates degree, often completing and submitting assignments from the library. For years I’ve filed my taxes on-line from the library, where they also carry the tax forms. I’ve taken computer classes at the library, that were free, that were as beneficial as any I’ve taken in college.
I am glad the community has decided not to allow the library experience to be disrupted or spoiled for most of its visitors by inconsiderate or ill-mannered young people. I hope all of these young people learn to value and appreciate the library; I want them to utilize the library’s many programs and activities and benefit from them. Perhaps if they knew just how much librarians earn they would take the library more seriously. According to http://www1.salary.com/Librarian-Salary.html
these are the figures:

Librarian - U.S. National Averages Base pay only

10th% 25th% 75th% 90th% $41,760 $49,419 $66,865 $75,090

 It would seem to me that the only way to waste your time at the library is to fail to appreciate and utilize the wealth of programs, activities, classes and assistance available. One of the librarians seem to lament the idea that most of the young people were now going to have some of their services limited, such as restricting social media such as Face book. I believe that is a good result; young people should get back to the  books, or if they are using computers use them for legitimate research. To the parents of those students who have or will temporarily lose their library privileges, now you know why. I would also ask you to sit down with your young people and try to explain to them how indispensably valuable our libraries are, and not fail to benefit from everything the library offers. Sincerely Khalil A. Rahsheed

Happy Holidays

Happy Holidays

Khalil A. Rahsheed

            This time of year reminds me of the holiday season a year ago, and a class I took and its instructor. We were discussing the etiquette of holiday greetings. Our instructor informed the class that he felt displeasure and insult when greeted with the phrase “happy holidays”; yet felt that it was perfectly acceptable for him to greet everyone with Merry Christmas whether they celebrated the holiday or not. His attitude seemed to me to be inconsiderate and hypocritical. Saying Merry Christmas is no different than saying Merry Christian Holy Day. The instructor said he really just wanted everyone to experience the real Christmas spirit.

            At this point I began to wonder if he was sincere or was only attempting to encourage debate. I explained that I had never celebrated Christmas my entire life and was not a Christian, but thought it polite to respond to those who greeted me with Merry Christmas, with happy holidays. While Merry Christmas directly references Christian Theology, happy holidays simply encourages everyone to enjoy their respective holidays in a happy manner whatever those holy days may be. I still don’t understand his stance. Was he implying that since he indeed has the correct religious perspective that any other greeting other than Merry Christmas during this holy day season would be blasphemous or sacrilegious?

The instructor asked me if I felt insulted being wished a Merry Christmas? I responded that ‘for the most part’ I didn’t any longer feel insult or injury with the greeting, but that rarely I did. When I have family or acquaintances who have known me for decades, some of whom have known me and my viewpoints for my lifetime, and they insist on wishing me a Merry Christmas, I believe insult or injury is intended.   At the end of the course the instructor wished everyone a Merry Christmas and I wished him a happy holidays. I suppose you could say we agreed to disagree. What do you think?

Three famous Quotes

Khalil A. Rahsheed   

Roger Stasio

EN 1102 LS D

06 September 2011   

Three Famous Quotes

  The first of the three quotes that I would like to share is “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.” This quote is from Arthur C. Clarke. This is certainly one of my favorite quotes not only because it supports my personal beliefs, but because it helps to explain how superstitions are born. Multitudes of people believe in ideas or concepts that have no basis in fact, reason or reality, and say they hold those beliefs based on faith. Now I’ll use my second quote in support of my argument for the first. In the words of Steveland Morris (Stevie Wonder) “If you believe in things that you don’t understand, then you suffer. Superstition ‘ain’t the way!”

              What was Stevie singing about? Whenever a person views a religion they consider primitive they consider the practitioners of that religion superstitious; never considering their own religion or beliefs as equally superstitious. Most of my family that subscribe to an established religion are Christians, “Jehovah’s Witnesses” to name the specific sect.  I personally am an agnostic. While I believe in spirits and gods, my perception and description of these entities is probably far from and foreign to the most popularly held beliefs concerning God and spirits.

              My third quote is from the Bible, John 10: 33-35 Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I have said you are “gods” ³⁵ If he called them ‘gods,’ to whom the word of God came?”  (New International Version). The “King James” version has it  ³⁴ “Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I have said you are “gods”’^[a]? ³⁵ If he called them ‘gods,’ to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be set aside.  ³⁴Jesus replied: “In your Scriptures doesn't God say, "You are gods"? ³⁵You can't argue with the Scriptures and God spoke to those people and called them gods. (Contemporary English Version).   Has the word of God come to you? If it has according to the Bible you’re a god! Imagine that, is that an idea you’ve ever considered? I’ll bet it isn’t.

References:

"Arthur C. Clarke Quotes - The Quotations Page." Quotes and Famous Sayings - The Quotations Page. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 Sept. 2011. <http://www.quotationspage.com/quotes/Arthur_C._Clarke/>.

Cook, David L., and Ph.D.. "BibleGateway.com: A searchable online Bible in over 100 versions and 50 languages.." BibleGateway.com: A searchable online Bible in over 100 versions and 50 languages.. N.p., n.d. Web. 6

 

Internet Etiquette

Khalil A. Rahsheed

20 June 2011

Internet Etiquette

            A recent posting on Facebook by a friend raised a question for me. If an acquaintance, friend or family member makes as error in grammar spelling or composition do we correct them on-line or not? We all have Facebook friends who we don’t share phone numbers with. If they post photographs which we don’t particularly find even remotely attractive, do we comment on them? Do we have any obligation to correct information that may be posted that we know is incorrect? I’m asking these questions because the social network doesn’t seem very social at times. At times the dialogue isn’t just rude it’s downright ignorant. Etiquette in general has become very lax and the internet and Facebook in particular are prime examples. Will good manners ever make a comeback or will everyone begin behaving like bawdy comedians trying to out-shock everyone else? What’s wrong with behaving decently?

The use of Computers in Military Training

Khalil A. Rahsheed

Kevin Schreiber

ET 2202

07 May 2011

The use of Computers in Military Training

Computer Based Instruction

Using computer games as a method of training is now well established but has yet prove to be an effective aid in acquiring various military skills. CMI or computer managed instruction and CAI or computer assisted instructions, which were part of studies conducted by the Institute for Defense Analysis of, Arlington, VA. , these were studies that seem to show contradictory results; with the results varying with the various participants. But the military is attempting to teach military skills in a safe environment; which is a commendable aspiration. One Such skill that might not come to mind immediately is negotiation. “BiLat" is a game that simulates interaction between local leaders and officials in Iraq, during talks and get-togethers. This game attempts to teach practical interaction skills between our soldiers and civilians who are under their authority, an invaluable skill. "Operation Flashpoint Red River" from Codemasters, is a gaming system which has been distributed to over a 100 different locations around the globe. Among other tactics one game was designed to teach ambushed convoys how to protect themselves better in the event of an ambush. Another in the series attempts to give participants a realistic experience from an infantryman’s perspective. "Virtual Battlespace" or VBS is a series of games that attempt to teach various military skills as well. One of which is a virtual helicopter simulation game. This game is used in conjunction with an actual helicopter simulator to teach pilots with realistic scenarios and conditions. "Nuerosky" and “Mindflex” from Mattel are examples of computer games which demonstrate an exciting new development not only in gaming and military technology but for technology in general. In these games the player’s Electroencephalography, which is the electrical activity along a person’s scalp, operates the game via a headset. In other words, the player’s thoughts operate the functions of the game rather than a joystick or keyboard. While this type of technology is exciting and highly anticipated, the military doesn't expect to implement this type of technology any time in the near future. In the words of Arthur C. Clarke “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic."

References:

. <http://www.adlnet.gov/Technologies/Evaluation/Library/White%20Papers/What%20Have%20We%20Learned%20About%20Computer-Based%20Instruction%20in%20Military%20Training.pdf>.

             Web. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clarke's_three_laws>.

            "February 2011." ONE STOP INFO. Web. 12 May 2011. <http://www.cituzones.co.cc/2011_02_01_archive.html>.

            "Mattel.com : Makers of Barbie and Other Popular Dolls." AboutUs: Easy-To-Understand Tools & Resources For SEO & Web Marketing. Web. 12 May 2011. <http://www.aboutus.org/Mattel.com>.

            Web. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electroencephalography>.

Web. <Institute for Defense Analysis, Arlington, VA.>.

What is a good employer?

Khalil A. Rahsheed

T. Fry

Business Ethics CM 1800

A Good Employer

            To be a good employer is to be practically or ethically speaking an individual who desires to promote the greatest good for the world, using the utility principle. Solely seeking to produce profit is, ethically speaking, a form of egoism, finding ways to make money for the company or oneself regardless of all others.  While utilizing the utility principle; the stakeholders: investors, employees, and customers, none possess a more important position in the employers consideration in creating a successful business formula that benefits all. A good employer is one who will provide an opportunity for his or her employees own growth, as well as in the business community and world at large. While any employer has to turn a profit to sustain the business; the profit margin should not be the focus of any employer, and certainly not of a good employer. To uplift, enlighten and employ are definitely the characteristics of an employer who is considerate of the world around him of her. A good employer need not exploit his or her employees to make a profit. A living wage can still be paid to workers while the company still makes a profit. So for anyone to say that wages are not an ethical concern is absurd. America would not have a minimum wage if citizens didn’t believe that wages were not an ethical issue! Let’s remember, ethics is: the perception of right or wrong, good or evil. Freed slaves after the American Civil War were offered jobs at slave wages, essentially room and board. One could say that they had the ability to refuse those opportunities and split hairs about what is right or wrong; but it is clearly an ethical issue.     

           

Langston Hughes Visits Akron

Langston Hughes Visits Akron

            Monday, February 28, 2011 our local newspaper the “Akron Beacon Journal” published and article by Mark J. Price. In his article Mr. Price details the controversy surrounding Mr. Hughes’ visit to our town, during the era of the “Red Scare.” I consider this an extremely significant article in light of the encroachment of the “religious right” and other theologically based groups or organizations who feel driven to manipulate American politics. The fact that this article appeared on the last day of Black History Month put a smile on my face, because so much of black history is presented in a framework of theology. I found it refreshing to read about perceptions of black history from a secular standpoint. The Ohio connection with Hughes was a pleasant surprise as well: his grandmother was Mary Leary Langston. You hear that blood family, a Langston. Please checkout the article, I believe you’ll enjoy it.

References:

Price, Mark J. "No Ryhme or Reason." Ohio.com - Www.ohio.com. Akron Beacon Journal, 28 Feb. 2011. Web. 02 Mar. 2011. <http://www.ohio.com/>.

Newspaper Article