Time Travel in to 2117

For this action project I Decided to use a time travel expedition Into the year into the year 2117. In this project I chose to play the character of a American male living in Chicago. This project shows how much has and hasn't changed.At the end of this blog you will see a child in 2117 opening Time Capsule revealing information about what it was like to live in the year 2017. After opening the box the child relies that the issues that were relevant 100 years ago around police brutality are still a problem in 2117.

Op Ed

Being an African-American male in America in 2117 isn't ideal. The very people who are supposed to serve and protect us, and promised that they will, have now targeting black males. And it doesn't only stop with pulling more black males over or writing more tickets, but we are dying out here. Police have been using excessive force against black males for basic and petty crimes or no crime at all. Whenever I spend time with my friends outside of the house, I'm always little bit nervous that police will suspect me of something because I'm in a large group with other African-American males. Driving and getting pulled over and being shot for no reason are all things that I'm worried about.

People think that the neighborhood I live in must be terrible, because I'm black, but this is only a stereotype. I've never been arrested, I work, and I'm in school. I do not deserve to fall victim to an unnecessary death because of the color of my skin. Movements like Black Lives Matter are so important in times like this, especially when we have a president like Trump who began his presidency targeting people of the Muslim religion.   This is particularly troubling as we just lost   President Obama who represented the Black community in a beautiful way and did a great job trying to spread equality throughout America.

As an African-American male, I wake up every morning and think very hard about my appearance. I dress a certain way and talk a certain way in order to be taken more seriously. I fear that people see the color of my skin and automatically assume that I'm up to no good or that I am less than others. These are the things that I think about every day. When will me, being who I am, be enough for our society. I really wish people would stop equating black with failure, or danger, or violence, and understand its beauty, complexity, and culture.

Product: Poster against police violence made in 2117

News Article

One of the most famous cases of police brutality in the United States occurred on August 9, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri near St. Louis. 18-year-old Michael Brown was shot to death by a police officer by the name Darren Williams. Michael Brown allegedly robbed a convenience store that was the reason for the police arrival, but then was shot to death for a petty theft. The city of St. Louis was predominantly black, so this caused an outrage in the community because the officer who shot Mr. Brown was white. The officer was doing more than just trying to stop a petty theft he used excessive force. Throughout the entire altercation officer fired his gun 12 times at Brown after hitting him in the arm twice, which already wounded Brown making it unnecessary for the extra shots being fired. Witnesses say that they saw Brown raise his arms to show the officer he was not armed and willing to submit but the officer shot and killed him anyway.

The outcome of the events of this police shooting and others brought about a group known as Black Lives Matter. This organization was built around the immense and gross police brutality against the African-American community. There was an intense increase in police violence against the black community the years surrounding the Michael Brown incident. The Ferguson case came to light in 2017, a case that outraged so many. Many asked, why did it take years later for this to be recognized and not when it happened? This started a snowball of police brutality cases against the black community. In 2117, we still continue to deal with issues of police brutality and Black Lives Matter continues to address these issues and more.

Black Lives Matter focuses on the black community in America but they also talk about how important diversity is in our country. They make it very clear on the website(http://blacklivesmatter.com/) that they're committed to celebrating differences and similarities. Black Lives Matter also is really invested in the idea of restorative justice and how it can help heal and help Black America. Black Lives Matter is not only a movement happening in America, but the idea has been spread globally. People all over the world support the Black Lives Matter movement. Because they have not only been focusing on the black community but on the global impact they can make in other ways besides civil rights and they have now branched into the education system in order to fight for equal opportunities for children all over the world. They have have also been focusing on not just becoming a powerhouse political campaign but a group supporting communities locally. For example, they go into schools in lower income areas and will do talks and rallies around making sure kids know their rights and how to be safe and smart in their communities in order to improve where they live.  

Hopefully this movement will help inspire others. Black Lives Matter is also an organization that values the LGBT community as one of their big supporters and no matter your sexual orientation you are of value to the Black Lives Matter movement and community. Black Lives Matter is also an organization that really pushes people to empathize with the Black community and understand the history and reasons behind some of the systemic race problems that continue to occur today in 2117.

Amendment

All officers of the law are required to take a 9 month course on empathy and intense negotiation, in order to ensure that the use of deadly force is the last resort.

Time Capsule Video

Chapter of 9/11

For this action project, I will explore the historical event of 9/11 using interviews and research. I chose 9/11 because it was an event that had a huge impact on the American people and affected the quality of life for the Muslim people in the United States. It also inspired me because of how complicated it is.  For example, it shows how people came together, how much it tore people apart, and how it affects Muslim people today. I also want to highlight how 9/11 put a restriction on not only the Muslim people, but on all people that travel through airports. Aside for the research for this project I am also planning on conducting an interview with a member of a Muslim outreach program, or a Muslim I know through my training. For this action project I will also be interviewing the research director of care. He is a practicing Muslim that has worked with many organizations to inspire change for the Muslim community.

_____________________________________________________________________

In 1939 during the World's Fair, the World Trade Center Pavilion was dedicated to world peace through trade. The man who introduced the idea was David Rockefeller, and he wanted the World Trade Center to be built along the East River of Manhattan. The location of the World Trade Center was changed  in February 1962 when New York authorized the development of the new  World Trade Center. The new buildings were located on the west side, but unfortunately, this displaced many business owners. In the year 2000 the World Trade Center's reached their highest occupancy rate.(The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey (www.panynj.gov). This made it a prime target for terrorist attacks. And it's no doubt they attacked the twin towers because they were built as a symbol of peace,

On September 11, 2001, 19 militants who were a part of the Islamic terrorist group Al Qaeda hijacked four different planes and committed suicide attacks around the United States. Two of the planes that were hijacked were flown right into the World Trade Towers in New York City. Terrorists flew another plane into the Pentagon in Washington D.C.. The fourth plane did not hit anything super monumental, and it crashed in a field in the middle of Pennsylvania, killing all on board the plane. Over 3000 people were killed in the attacks in New York City and Washington D.C.. Also, 400 firefighters and police officers were also killed trying to help. (abcnews Brian Ross July 29, 2011) The attack on the Twin Towers was significant as it was 110 story skyscraper. People were so desperate to leave the building that they jumped from the top floors waving white flags and throwing paper out the windows. People who were around the buildings during the 9/11 attack say they remember hearing a loud crashing sound, but not of debris or rubble, but of the sound of bodies crashing onto the concrete from the top floors of the building.

9/11 was orchestrated by a Muslim extremist terrorist group known as Al Qaeda. Al Qaeda was founded in 1988 by militant named Osama Bin Laden and Muhammad Atef(PBS.wwttw.org).   When Bin Laden  was in the war, he fought against the Soviets invading Afghanistan. Al Qaeda is also known for the 1998 US embassy bombings. They've also done suicide bombing using young children and adults. After the 9/11 attack on the twin towers in New York City, the US government started the war against terror. This later led to the death of Osama bin Laden.

This did not stop Al Qaeda, but only weakened them. Al Qaeda works hard to reach out to social media on the Internet to get people from around the world to join their terrorist movement. Al Qaeda is also responsible for Muslims who may be alienating all over the world. When Al Qaeda attacks people, the government automatically looks to the entire Muslim community.   As a result, now there is bias towards them because of what Al Qaeda has done. This makes it harder for Muslim people in public places like in airports, hotels, and businesses.

After conducting my interview with Tauseph Akbar, the research director at CAIR Chicago.  Islamophobia has changed over time due to events like 9/11 and the current executive order ordered by President Donald Trump. Muslim people have been discriminated against for a long time says Tauseph but what they have been discriminated for has changed.

After the events of 9/11 Tauseph talked about feeling insecure in his community. After an event like 9/11 and makes it opens the door for hate. The hate is not only directed at terrorist organizations but also at innocent Muslim people who practice their religion in a very peaceful manner.